Besides fostering strategic ties, the exchange programme enables cadets to learn about each other’s military systems, structural hierarchy, training methods and philosophies

As part of Indo-US defence cooperation, a delegation from the United States Military Academy (USMA) visited the Indian Military Academy (IMA), Dehradun, under a week-long cadet exchange programme.

A three-member team comprising one officer and two cadets from USMA engaged in various training events at the IMA and were given a glimpse of the modern training infrastructure and facilities at the Indian Army’s premier pre-commission training institution.

Established in 1802, USMA is located at West Point in New York and is the oldest of the five American service academies that educates and trains cadets for service as commissioned officers in the US Army.Unlike the IMA, which conducts an 18-month training programme for direct entry cadets and a 12-month course for those who come through the National Defence Academy, the USMA offers a four-year course after which the cadets are awarded a Bachelor of Science degree.

The IMA was established in 1932 during the British era and besides Indian cadets, it also trains cadets from friendly foreign countries. Over the years, more than 30 countries have sent their cadets to the IMA.

Besides fostering strategic ties, the exchange programme enables cadets to learn about each other’s military systems, structural hierarchy, training methods and philosophies. It also gives cadets an insight into different cultures, traditions and ways of life and helps build cross-cultural bonds and friendships.

Besides cadet exchange at service training academies, the National Cadet Corps (NCC) also has an annual youth exchange programme, under which members of youth organisations of several countries, including the US, visit each other. The NCC hosts foreign cadets every year during the national Republic Day camp in New Delhi.