The EMIA is the heir of various military branch (i.e. infantry, cavalry and artillery) schools dating from the early 19th century and intended to train army officers promoted from the enlisted ranks (militaires du rang), from non-commissioned officers (sous-officiers) or from the reserves (anciens officiers de réserve).
The merged academies formed the School of Cherchell-Mediouna, created after the German occupation of the Southern Zone of France.
The EMS consisted of two branches: the battalion of unique contest Services (CUS) and the pre-competition pack EMIA (PPEMIA).
Candidates competing to enter the Ecole Militaire InterArmes must: Events: EMIA students are nicknamed "dolos" after the brand of corned beef of old combat rations.
During ceremonies, they wear the parade dress uniform, called "TP" and the curved cavalry saber, representing the future duty as commissioned officers upon graduation.