Pakistan Command and Staff College facts for kids
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ادارہَِ سالاری و عمال عسکری
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Command and Staff College Emblem
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Former names
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Army Staff College |
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| Motto | Persian: پیر شو بیاموز سعدی English: Grow old, learning Saadi Urdu: سیکھتے ہوئے عمر رسیدہ ہو جاؤ، سعدی |
| Type | Staff college |
| Established | 1905 (as the Army Staff College in Deolali, British India) |
| Commandant | Maj. Gen. Amer Ahsan Nawaz |
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Academic staff
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55 approx. |
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Administrative staff
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25 approx. |
| Students | 400 |
| Location | , , |
| Colours | Grey and Maroon |
| Affiliations | National Defence University, Islamabad |
The Command and Staff College is a special school for army officers in Pakistan. It helps mid-career officers learn how to be better leaders and staff members. Think of it like a university for military leaders!
It started way back in 1905 in a place called Deolali in British India. Later, in 1907, it moved to Quetta, which is now in Pakistan. Many famous soldiers have studied here over the years.
Before this college was built, Indian Army officers had to go to the UK for their training. But there weren't enough spots for everyone. So, a new college was needed in India. The college in Quetta became the oldest military school in Pakistan.
It used to be connected to the University of Balochistan. Now, it's part of the National Defence University (NDU). This university also includes colleges for the Pakistan Navy and the Pakistan Air Force.
Contents
Where is the College Located?
The Command and Staff College is in Quetta, the capital city of Balochistan Province in Pakistan. It sits right at the entrance to the Urak valley.
Around it are tall mountains like Takatu, Murdarghar, and Chiltan. These mountains are very high, reaching up to 10,000 to 11,000 feet! There's even a mountain called "Sleeping Beauty" because it looks like a lady resting. It's especially beautiful when covered in winter snow.
What are the College's Motto and Emblem?
The college has a special motto and emblem. The motto is in Persian: Pir Sho Biyamooz – Saadi. This means "Grow old learning – Saadi". Saadi was a very famous Persian poet. The motto encourages students to keep learning and gaining knowledge throughout their lives.
Before 1950, the college used a Latin motto: "Tam Marte Quam Minerva." This meant "By the pen as much as by the sword." The old emblem showed an owl, which is a symbol of wisdom, sitting on crossed swords.
In 1979, the owl was replaced with the Arabic word Iqra. This word means "Read!" and is a reference to a part of the Qur'an.
How is the College Organized?
The college is led by a commandant, who is a major general. It has two main parts: the Headquarters Wing and the Instructional Wing.
The Instructional Wing is the most important part. It's where all the teaching happens. It has four teaching divisions, each led by a senior instructor. There are about 52 teachers for around 400 students. This means there's one teacher for every eight students, which is a very good ratio!
About 30 officers from over 23 different countries also study here. These international students make the college a very diverse and interesting place.
What are the College's Goals?
By the end of their time at the college, students should be able to:
- Understand how to use military forces in battle.
- Manage important tasks for their unit during peace and war.
- Connect tactical plans with bigger military strategies.
- Use leadership and management skills in their cultural setting.
- Research important military topics.
- Understand what's happening in international and regional politics.
- Find the main issues in military problems and suggest solutions.
Who Can Study Here?
Pakistani officers who want to attend this college must meet certain requirements:
- Rank and Service: They should be Majors with 8 to 12 years of service in the army.
- Courses: They need to have completed specific mid-career courses and passed promotion exams.
- Selection: They are chosen based on their scores in a special exam, their service record, and their professional standing.
- Education: It's best if they have a Bachelor of Arts or Science degree. This helps them get a Master of Science degree in the Art and Science of Warfare from the National Defence University.
Famous People Who Studied Here
Many important military leaders have attended the Command and Staff College. Some of them became very famous!
- Field Marshals: These are very high-ranking generals. Some famous ones include The 1st Earl Wavell, The 1st Viscount Montgomery of Alamein, and The 1st Viscount Slim. From Pakistan, Ayub Khan studied here.
- Generals: Many generals who later became army chiefs or chairmen of the joint chiefs in Pakistan studied here. This includes Pervez Musharraf. Other notable generals from Bangladesh and Malaysia also attended.
The Citadel Magazine
The Citadel is a magazine published by the Command and Staff College. It's a place where people can share their ideas about military topics and national security. It started in 1984. Before that, similar articles were published in the college's yearbook, which was called Owl Pie or The Owl.
Fun Clubs at the College
The college has several clubs for students and their families:
- Shikar (Shooting) Club: This club organizes trips for shooting.
- Saddle Club: If you love horses, this club is for you! The college has 30 ponies for riding. Ladies and children over eight can also join.
- Polo: Polo is a horse sport played with enthusiasm here from April to November.
- Al-Nisa Club: This is a lively club for ladies, known for its fun activities. They usually meet every two weeks.
- Allied Officers Cell: This group helps international officers feel welcome and comfortable. Each international officer gets a faculty member and a Pakistani student officer to help them.
Barki Park
The college campus has great outdoor areas, including Barki Park. This park is perfect for families! It has fun things for children and is a relaxing spot for students. On weekends, you can even enjoy traditional live music.
The park also has a pizza and coffee shop, a skating area, a zip line, and a rock climbing wall. There are beautiful green lawns with water features and many kinds of roses.
Campus Facilities
The college has several important buildings and facilities:
- Libraries: There are two libraries. The Fiction Library has fun books and magazines. The Main Library has many professional books, especially about military topics. You can also find international newspapers and magazines there.
- Museum: The college has a small museum that opened in 1979. It shows interesting items and historical things related to the college.
- Officers Mess: This building is decorated in a traditional style. Many formal events are held here. There's also a snack bar next to it.
- Children's Schooling: The college runs a school called Iqra Army Public School and College. It's an English-medium school for the children of the officers and teachers.
Notable Instructors
Some very important military leaders have also taught at the Command and Staff College. These include:
- General Joyanto Nath Chaudhuri, who was the Chief of Army Staff of the Indian Army.
- Field Marshal Bernard Montgomery, a famous British military leader.
- General Qamar Javed Bajwa, a former Chief of Army Staff of the Pakistan Army.
See also
- PAF Air War College
- Pakistan Naval War College
