The David Aghmashenebeli National Defence Academy of Georgia (LEPL) is a military higher education institution dedicated to preparing a qualified officer corps and competitively skilled personnel. The academy emphasizes the importance of fostering high ethical standards, strong morals, and leadership qualities among its students. Through educational programs and research activities, it aims to meet modern standards for both the country and the ministry system.

A Brief History of National Defence Academy

 

The history of the National Defence Academy of Georgia dates back to 1918, the day Georgia restored its state independence, after the National Council of Georgia, representing various political parties and public organizations, declared Georgia an independent state on May 26, 1918.

Immediately following this declaration, the need to train national officer candidates was recognized. During a session on August 20, 1918, the National Council of Georgia and the Government of the Republic approved the "Law on the Organization of the Regular Army of the Republic of Georgia," which established a military school for training Junkers.

The primary purpose of the Junker military school was not just to teach future officers military tactics, but also to instill a sense of Georgian identity and nurture their national spirit. As the first head of the school, General Giorgi Kvinitadze, stated, “This was not to be an educational institution, but a forge of Georgian military thought, a chair of Georgian military doctrine.”

The military school began operating in September 1919, and its first class, the inaugural group of Junkers, saw their first combat experience in May 1920 during the First Russo-Georgian War.

In February 1921, during the Second Russo-Georgian War, 148 Junkers from the Georgian Military School participated in battles against the units of the 11th Red Army. They held their positions bravely until the end and maintained the front line assigned to them. Following these events, the term “Junker” became synonymous in Georgian society with dedication, honor, and commitment to professional duty.

During the communist regime, the Georgian Military School was first transformed into a military school for Red Army Junkers and later became the Tbilisi Artillery School, which operated until 1991.

After gaining independence, staffing the newly created Georgian Armed Forces with officers from national cadres became a priority. The Georgian military resumed its training programs, and by the end of 1991, courses were established for training commanders and retraining officers.

On May 28, 1993, the United Military Academy of the Republic of Georgia was established under the order of the Minister of Defence. The Academy welcomed its first batch of students in September 1993. Initially known as the Defence National Academy, it was later renamed the National Defence Academy.

On February 20, 2003, the institution was named after David Aghmashenebeli. In November 2009, the Academy relocated to the city of Gori. In 2010, a new phase of reforms began, encompassing the entire system of officer education. That same year, the Ministry of Defence granted the Academy the status of a Legal Entity of Public Law, and it was recognized as a higher educational institution.

On May 28, 2014, by order of the Minister of Defence of Georgia, undergraduate students of the LEPL - David Aghmashenebeli National Defence Academy of Georgia were named “Junkers” to honor the soldiers who lost their lives in the battles of February 1921 and to immortalize their names.

Today, the Academy operates successfully, offering Bachelor's and Master's degrees, a Scientific Research Center, a Junker Training Battalion, a Junior Officer Training School, a Training Support and Development Center, a Distance Learning Center, a Sports and Physical Training Department, and an Examination Center.