MYANMAR – The number of cadets attending the junta Defense Service Academy (DSA) in Pyin Oo Lwin, Mandalay Division has fallen under 300 in a batch and the high school graduates from military families are being dragged to the academy due to the low number of application, according to a source from the military in Nay Pyi Taw.
“The DSA officer cadet training only drew between 200 and 300 cadets. Because the number of application was too low, they eased the age restrictions to allow high school graduates from military families attend the academy. Even then, the number barely passed 200,” said the Nay Pyi Taw source.
The 66th batch of DSA that graduated on December 6, 2024 had only 314 cadets and 267 of them were sent to the army, 27 to the navy and 20 to the air force as lieutenants.
Currently, there are also rumours that the DSA in Pyin Oo Lwin will be moved to the Agriculture, Animal Husbandry and Forestry University in Yaysin, Pyinmana, Nay Pyi Taw. Although the rumours are not entierly false, it is said that the military academy will not be moved completely but only the third year and fourth year (final year) cadets will be training in Nay Pyi Taw while the first year and second year cadets will continue to train in Pyin Oo Lwin.
“The rumors of moving the DSA has been out for some time. It is true that it will be moved but only the senior students will be moved. The third and final year students will be attending in Nay Pyi Taw while the first and second year students will remain in Pyin Oo Lwin. It will be easy to move as the number of cadets are low. If the security worsens and war breaks out, the entire academy might be moved to Nay Pyi Taw,” explained the Nay Pyi Taw source.
Currently, there are battles between the TNLA led revolutionary forces and junta council troops in Taungkham, located near Pyin Oo Lwin.
