Cherchell is considred as one of the oldest cities in North Africa. it was founded by the Phoenicians at the end of the 5^th century BC and they called it YOL (IOL), in the year 25 BC the Numidian King Yuba 2 made it the capital of his kingdom and called it «Mauretania Caesariensis».

On march 05, 1840 the city of cherchell fell under French occupation. After independance the city witnessed the establishment of the military school for various arms in 1963, on the same site as established by the French colonialists during world war 2.

The idea of establishing the academy dates back to the beginning of the forties of the last century by the colonial authorities. This is due to dissolution of the Saint –Cyr and Sait-Maxon schools after the German invasion of France, as well as the separation of North Africa from France due to the allied landings. In these circumstances it was required to establish a school for officers in North Africa with the aim of training the leaders of platoons and companies where several names came to be known including The Officers Training Center, and then The Students school North Africa candidates.