# Theresian Military Academy

The Theresian Military Academy (German: Theresianische Militärakademie, TherMilAk) is a military academy in Austria, where the Austrian Armed Forces train their officers. Founded in 1751, the academy is located in the castle of Wiener Neustadt in Lower Austria.

## History

The Theresian Military Academy (known as the Theresianum) is one of the oldest military academies in the world (the oldest is the Military Academy of Modena). It was founded on 14 December 1751 by Maria Theresa of Austria, who gave the first commander of the academy, Field Marshal Leopold Joseph von Daun (Count Daun), the order Mach er mir tüchtige Officier und rechtschaffene Männer daraus ("Make me hard working officers and honest men").
Per year, the academy accepted 100 noblemen and 100 commoners to start their education there. In 1771, Fieldmarshal Lieutenant Hannig published the official studying plan, and in 1775, Maria Theresa published the Academy Rules. At this time, it took 11 years to complete the academy, but step by step, it was shortened to 3 years.
The Styrian Prince Erzherzog Johann (Archduke John) was the principal headmaster of the academy for 44 years (1805–1849).
During the First Republic (1918–1938), the academy was located in Enns until 1934, and then again in the castle of Wiener Neustadt. A very remarkable event occurred in the time between Austrofascism and the Anschluss (Occupation of Austria by Nazi Germany) when Lieutenant General Rudolf Towarek was Commander of the TherMilAk (between 1933 and 1938). He had the guard deployed with the bayonet attached and thus denied the Wehrmacht access to the castle for several days. This was the only military resistance made by Austrians against the occupation by Nazi Germany. GenLt Towarek was not punished for this action; however, he was retired while retaining the right to wear the Austrian uniform after his retirement, which was highly unusual in those days.
After the Anschluss, the Wehrmacht installed a war school for non-commissioned officers at the castle of Wiener Neustadt. The first commander of this school was Erwin Rommel. At this time, the Germans erected a new building next to the castle, which is now known as Fort Daun, in which the Military High School of Austria is located.
After World War II and the Austrian State Treaty which was signed in 1955, the demolished castle was rebuilt. In 1958, the military academy was again located in Wiener Neustadt after a short intermezzo (1955–1958) in Enns.
On the occasion of the 500th anniversary of the death of the Holy Roman Emperor Maximilian I, the direct ancestor of Maria Theresa, the so-called "last knight" and founder of a modern war system, a big celebration took place in the church of the military academy in 2019. Karl von Habsburg, the current head of the House of Habsburg, represented the imperial dynasty.
Within the precincts of the Theresian Military Academy is the Theresian Military Academy Cemetery where many students, former teachers and distinguished graduates are buried. Officers interred there include Count Kinsky, Oskar Potiorek and Emil Spannocchi, as well as Thérèse de Dillmont whose father taught at the academy.

## The TherMilAk today

The current Commanding Officer - CO (German: Kommandant - Kdt) of the TherMilAk is Generalmajor Mag. Karl Pronhagl.
From 1997–2008, the TherMilAk was a 4-year college which could also be attended by civilian students and finished with a master's degree in military leadership. In 2008, it was changed into a 3-year curriculum, graduating with a bachelor's degree. In 2003, the first four women completed the academy. Since 1959, more than 3,600 young officers have been educated at the Theresian Military Academy. The cadet class graduating in 2004 was given the title of Kaiserjäger (Imperial Rifles), to honor the memory of the brave national light infantrymen who served Austria with distinction during the Imperial period.

## TherMilAk commanders (selection)

Below there is a selection of the commanders of the TherMilAk.
| name | rank | CO | remark |
| Guido Novak von Arienti | Feldmarschall-Leutnant | 1917–1919 | last imperial (kaiserlicher) commander and adge-group godfather of the 2010 graduates |
| Rudolf Towarek | Generalmajor | 1934–1938 | |
| Erwin Rommel | Oberst | 1938–1939 | 22 June 1942: appointed to Generalfeldmarschall |

### Second Republic

| name | rank | CO | remark |
| Erwin Starkl | Major | 1955–1956 | 35th CO |
| Josef Heck | Oberst | 1957–1959 | Oberst dhmD; 36th CO |
| Erich Watzek | Generalmajor | 1959–1971 | 37th CO |
| Alois Nitsch | Generalmajor | 1972–1980 | 38th CO |
| Johann Philipp | Divisionär | 1980–1984 | 39th CO |
| Adolf-Erwin Felber | Divisionär | 1985–1999 | 40th CO |
| Karl-Heinz Fitzal | Divisionär | 1999–2003 | 41st CO |
| Norbert Sinn | Generalmajor | 2003–2013 | 42nd CO |
| Gerhard Herke | Brigadier | 2013–2016 | 43rd CO |
| Karl Pronhagl | Generalmajor | 2016–today | 44th CO |