THE JORDAN ROYAL MILITARY ACADEMY AT ZIRCHA IS CONTINUING ITS WORK TRAINING OFFICERS FOR THE ARMY.

THE ACADEMY WAS FORMED IN 1956 AND REORGANISED IN 1963. IT TAKES YOUNG MEN BETWEEN THE AGES OF 18 AND 24 YEARS AND BESIDES MILITARY TRAINING EDUCATES THEM TO UNIVERSITY STANDARD.

THE WORK LOAD IS HEAVY -- OFTEN 16 HOURS A DAY -- AND THE ACADEMIC SUBJECTS INCLUDE ENGLISH AND HEBREW LANGUAGE COURSES. IF A STUDENT FAILS TO PASS THE HEBREW PART OF THE COURSE HE IS AUTOMATICALLY EXPELLED FROM THE ACADEMY, AND HAS TO PAY HIS COURSE EXPENSES.

THE ACADEMY NOW TEACHES AIRBORNE PARACHUTE TRAINING AS WELL AS THE MORE TRADITIONAL SUBJECTS OF WEAPONS TRAINING AND ARMED AND UNARMED COMBAT. EACH STUDENT HAS TO DO FIVE PARACHUTE JUMPS DURING HIS TWO-YEAR STAY AT THE ACADEMY.

DRILLING UNDER THE EAGLE EYE OF THE INSTRUCTOR IS PART OF THE COURSE AND WHEN THE STUDENTS GRADUATE THEY GO INTO THE ARMY AS SECOND LIEUTENANTS.