Vytauto Didžiojo aukštosios karo mokyklos veikla (1931–1940 m.)

ENWhen on 16 February 1918 Lithuania restored its independence, the restoration process of the armed forces began as well. The Lithuanian Armed Forces were assembled in very difficult circumstances as they had to deal with the consequences of the World War I, German occupation and numerous internal and external enemies. Nevertheless, military training was conducted and developed further. To standartise officer training, Senior Officer Training Course was launched on 1 April 1921; however, discontinued during the period of 1930–1932. By the Order No. 242 of the Seimas in 1922, the Statute of the Senior Officer Training Course was passed providing for the general course (1 year) and staff officer training course (2.5 years) that was actually established only in 1931. Until 1931, there was no senior officer training institution; therefore, since 1921 officers were sent to French, German, Italian, Belgian, UK, Austrian and Czechoslovakian military academies and intendant, technical, naval and cavalry schools to study aeronautics, military engineering, radiotechnics, electrotechnics, medicine, veterinary, chemistry, mechanics, physical training, etc. All staff officers had foreign higher military education. However, foreign military studies were complicated as every country designed them to its needs and circumstances. Also, the education was expensive and only 10 officers could be given such grants (200-400 thousand Litas) every year. When a sufficient number of officers having higher military education was reached, the Vytautas the Great Staff Officer Training Course was launched on 22 January 1931. Its program was equivalent to training programs at foreign military schools. The purpose of the course was to train qualified officers for the Lithuanian Armed Forces and develop various skills.On 10 December 1938, President Antanas Smetona issued an order ratified by the Seimas to transform the Vytautas the Great Officer Training Course to higher military school. Its purpose was to train officers high-level military subjects and develop and use in practice military sciences. Only 25–30 officers at a time could attend the course. The training lasted for 2.5 years. The commandants of the military school were as follows: Colonel Stasys Dirmantas (1929–1933), Colonel Petras Kubiliūnas (1933–1934), Brigadier General Vladas Karvelis (1936–1940) and Division General Stasys Raštikis (1940). The latter devoted much time and effort to the development of the school. The military school educated staff officers and commanders. Its contribution was extremely valuable to the country because the education was aimed at local needs. Unfortunately, the school was closed by the time military doctrines were developed. In total, 3 classes of 57 staff officers and 1 class of 7 intendants completed the course. The fourth class started training in 1939. At the beginning of 1940, when the fifth class was about to start training, the Soviet occupation put a halt to it. Many instructors and students were killed or deported. Despite the difficulties, independent Lithuania had a well-functioning officer training system of all-level leadership education that was destroyed by the Soviet occupation.