The Marín Submarine Academy in Spain

Have you ever wondered what it takes to become a naval officer or a submariner in Spain? If so, you might be interested in learning about the Marín Submarine Academy, a prestigious and challenging military school in Spain that trains and educates the future naval leaders of Spain. The Marín Submarine Academy is a part of the Naval Military Academy, a coeducational naval academy that educates officers for commissioning primarily into the Spanish Navy and Spanish Navy Marines.

The school has a long and rich history, a rigorous and comprehensive curriculum, a vibrant and diverse campus life, a competitive and healthy athletic program, and a distinguished and influential alumni network. The school is not only a place of learning but also a place of honor, courage, discipline, and loyalty.

In this lesson, we will explore some of the main aspects and features of this unique and outstanding institution. Here’s a highlight of what we will cover:

Brief History of the Marín Submarine Academy

The Marín Submarine Academy is a part of the Naval Military Academy (Spanish: Escuela Naval Militar, ENM), which has a long and rich history dating back to the 18th century. The school was established in 1717 as the Royal Company of Maritime Guards in Cádiz by José Patiño, a prominent statesman and reformer of the Spanish Navy. The school moved to San Fernando in 1769 and to Marín in 1943, where it remains.

The school has witnessed and participated in many historical events, such as the War of Jenkins’ Ear, the Battle of Trafalgar, the Spanish Civil War, and the NATO membership of Spain. The school has also produced many distinguished naval leaders, such as Blas de Lezo, Jorge Juan, Cosme Damián Churruca, and Miguel Grau.

Admission and training process at the Marín Submarine Academy

Admission to the Marín Submarine Academy is highly competitive and selective, as only the best and brightest candidates can join the ranks of the naval elite. The admission is carried out through the Ministry of Defense annual call, which requires applicants to pass psychophysical, English language, and academic tests. The applicants must also have a nomination from a Spanish Congress or Senate member or a high-ranking naval officer. The number of places available varies each year, depending on the needs of the Navy and the Marines. In 2020, there were 80 places for the Navy and 20 for the Marines.

The training at the Marín Submarine Academy lasts five years, including academic and military courses and practical exercises at sea and on land. The academic courses cover mathematics, physics, chemistry, engineering, navigation, tactics, law, history, and languages. The military courses include physical fitness, weapons handling, leadership, discipline, and ethics. The practical exercises involve sailing, diving, shooting, marching, and simulating various scenarios. The cadets also have the opportunity to visit other naval bases and academies in Spain and abroad and participate in international missions and exercises.

What is the Tuition Fees of Marín Submarine Academy

It’s Free. The Ministry of Defense fully covers the tuition fees for the Marín Submarine Academy, as the cadets are considered active-duty military personnel. The cadets also receive a monthly stipend of about 600 euros, which covers their living expenses, such as food, clothing, books, and personal items. The cadets are also entitled to medical care, social security, and pension benefits. The cadets must not pay back the tuition fees after graduation but must serve in the Navy or the Marines for at least 10 years.

Current Rankings of The School

The Marín Submarine Academy is widely regarded as one of the best naval academies in the world and one of the most prestigious institutions of higher education in Spain. The school has been ranked among the top 10 military academies in the world by various sources, such as Military Education, Global Firepower, and Top Universities. The school has also been recognized for its academic excellence, research output, and international collaboration by various national and international organizations, such as the National Agency for Quality Assessment and Accreditation of Spain (ANECA), the European Association of Establishments for Veterinary Education (EAEVE), and the International Association of Maritime Universities (IAMU).

Academic Programs Offered at The Marín Submarine Academy

The Marín Submarine Academy offers two main academic programs: the Naval Officer Program and the Marine Officer Program. Both programs lead to a Bachelor’s degree in Naval and Oceanic Engineering, accredited by the European Higher Education Area (EHEA) and the International Engineering Alliance (IEA). The Naval Officer Program also specializes in Submarine Warfare, which trains the cadets to operate and command submarines. The Marine Officer Program also specializes in Amphibious Warfare, which trains the cadets to conduct and support amphibious operations.

The Marín Submarine Academy also offers several postgraduate programs, such as Master’s degrees in Naval Architecture, Marine Engineering, Naval Systems, and Maritime Security, and Doctoral degrees in Naval and Oceanic Engineering and Maritime Sciences. These programs are open to both military and civilian students. They are conducted in collaboration with other universities and research centers, such as the University of Vigo, the University of A Coruña, the Spanish National Research Council (CSIC), and the Spanish Institute of Oceanography (IEO).

Campus Life

The campus life at the Marín Submarine Academy is demanding and rewarding, as the cadets have to balance their academic, military, and personal responsibilities. The cadets live in dormitories divided into four companies: Alfa, Bravo, Charlie, and Delta. Each company has its color, emblem, and motto and competes with the others in various activities, such as sports, academics, and drills.

The cadets have a strict daily routine, which starts at 6:00 a.m. with reveille and ends at 10:00 p.m. with taps. The cadets have to attend classes, study, do homework, perform chores, participate in training, and follow the rules and regulations of the school. The cadets also have some free time, which they can use to relax, socialize, play games, watch TV, or go to the library, the gym, the chapel, or the cafeteria.

The campus of the Marín Submarine Academy is located in a beautiful and historic setting, overlooking the Ría de Pontevedra, a large estuary in Galicia. The campus covers an area of about 90 hectares and has various facilities, such as classrooms, laboratories, workshops, simulators, libraries, auditoriums, museums, sports fields, swimming pools, docks, boats, and submarines.

The campus also has several monuments and landmarks, such as the Castillo de San Felipe, a 16th-century fortress that serves as the main gate of the school, the Monument to the Fallen, a memorial to the naval heroes who died in service, and the Panteón de Marinos Ilustres. This mausoleum houses the remains of some of the most distinguished naval officers in Spanish history.

Athletics

The Marín Submarine Academy has a strong tradition and culture of sports and physical fitness, as the cadets have to maintain high physical readiness and performance. The school offers various sports and athletic programs, such as soccer, basketball, volleyball, rugby, tennis, golf, sailing, rowing, swimming, diving, fencing, and many more.

Values and Culture of the School

The school fosters a strong and distinctive culture of values, such as honor, courage, discipline, and loyalty, which are the pillars of the naval profession and the Spanish nation. The school instills these values in the cadets through various activities and ceremonies, such as the Pledge of Allegiance, the Code of Honor, the Honor Council, the Naval Oath, and the Naval Creed. The school also promotes a culture of excellence, innovation, and collaboration, essential for naval and oceanic engineering and submarine and amphibious warfare. The school encourages the cadets to pursue their academic and professional goals, develop their creativity and critical thinking, work as a team, and respect each other.

Opportunities and challenges of the school

The school offers many opportunities and challenges for the cadets, both during and after their studies. The school provides the cadets with a world-class education and training, which prepares them for a rewarding and demanding career in the Navy or the Marines. The school also exposes the cadets to various experiences and environments, which broaden their horizons and enrich their perspectives.

The school also connects the cadets with a network of peers, mentors, and leaders who support and inspire them in their personal and professional growth. However, the school also poses many challenges and difficulties for the cadets, such as the high academic and military standards, the strict rules and regulations, the intense and stressful schedule, and the sacrifices and risks involved in the naval service. The school requires the cadets to overcome these challenges and difficulties with resilience, perseverance, and courage.

Achievements and contributions of the school

The school has achieved and contributed a lot to naval and oceanic engineering and submarine and amphibious warfare, as well as to the Spanish Navy, the Spanish Marines, the Spanish Ministry of Defense, and the Spanish society. The school has developed and implemented many projects and programs, such as the S-80 Plus-class submarines, the Buque de Acción Marítima (BAM), the Maritime Action Ship, the Sistema de Vigilancia y Protección del Litoral (SIVIPROL), the Coastal Surveillance and Protection System, and the Sistema Integrado de Vigilancia Exterior (SIVE), the Integrated External Surveillance System.

The school has also participated in and supported many missions and operations, such as Operation Atalanta, the European Union Naval Force Somalia, Operation Sophia, the European Union Naval Force Mediterranean, and Operation Active Endeavour, the NATO maritime security operation in the Mediterranean. The school has also advanced and disseminated the naval and oceanic engineering, submarine, and amphibious warfare knowledge and culture through various publications, conferences, seminars, and exhibitions.

Conclusion

The Marín Submarine Academy is a remarkable and respected school that trains and educates Spain’s future naval officers and submariners. The school has a long and proud history, a rigorous and comprehensive curriculum, a vibrant and diverse campus life, a competitive and healthy athletic program, and a distinguished and influential alumni network. The school is not only a place of learning but also a place of honor, courage, discipline, and loyalty. The school is a school, a family, a community, and a legacy.

The school is a dream and a challenge for many young men and women who aspire to serve and excel in the naval profession and the Spanish nation. The school is a source and a model of excellence and innovation for naval and oceanic engineering, submarine, and amphibious warfare at the national and international levels. The school contributes to and serves the defense and security of Spain and its allies and the advancement and dissemination of naval and oceanic engineering, submarine, and amphibious warfare knowledge and culture. The school is the Marín Submarine Academy, which is like no other.