The academy was established in May 1924[1] on Changzhou Island[citation needed] in Huangpu, Guangzhou with Chiang Kai-shek as superintendent.

[7] The academy's provided a 6-12 month[3] military-political program incorporating Western pedagogical methods and practical exercises.

Military training was primarily infantry-focused, but also included classes for artillery, engineers, logistics, and heavy weapons.

[2] The academy formed the first "model" regiment in October 1924, which suppressed a insurrection of angry merchants and their private militia forces late that month.

[citation needed] At the end of the Chinese Civil War, the CMA evacuated to Kaohsiung on Taiwan and was renamed to the Republic of China Military Academy.

[citation needed] In June 2024, President Lai Ching-te visited the ROC Military Academy on the occasion of its 100th anniversary celebration.