Defence Services Academy

The Defence Services Academy located in Pyin Oo Lwin, is the premier military service academy of Myanmar, training future officers for all three branches of Myanmar military. The Ministry of Defence administered academy offers bachelor's degree programs in liberal arts, combined physical sciences, and computer science. DSA has conferred basic degrees on 33,065 graduates from the first graduation ceremony up to the 62nd graduation in December 2021. The DSA graduates are commissioned in one of the three branches of Myanmar military. History The DSA was established in Ba Htoo Station in southern Shan State on 1 August 1954, and was moved to its current home, a former British hill station of Pyin Oo Lwin (formerly, Maymyo) between 20 and 26 June 1957. The first commandant of DSA was Col. Thiri Pyanchi Kyaw Soe. Mission The purpose of the academy is to "train a new generation of highly educated and well-rounded officers for Myanmar's armed forces who are capable of leading the nation". The DSA emphasizes on the academic curriculum alongside the military training with the intention of developing individuals who are capable of running the entire nation. In contrast, the mission of Officers Training School, Bahtoo (OTS) is to train the future commanders who can lead the Armed Forces in times of war. Furthermore, the OTS does not offer any additional academic qualifications, and the admission is usually open only to degree-holders. From 1999 onwards, it is open only to non-commissioned officers and servicemen holding degrees who demonstrate extraordinary qualities to become officers. Training duration is nine months.