It is named after Lieutenant General Kristapor Ivanyan, a veteran of the Great Patriotic War (1941-45) and the first Karabakh War, as well a key figure in the Military history of the Republic of Artsakh. The college is the equivalent to the Moscow Suvorov Military School in Russia, and the Monte Melkonian Military College in Armenia. In 2007, a contingent from the college became a permanent participant in the Shushi Liberation Day military parade on Renaissance Square. Notable visitors have included President of the National Assembly of Armenia Ararat Mirzoyan.