The school was decommissioned in 2001, and replaced by the Army Academy (Maasotakoulu, 'Land Warfare School'), which provides the undergraduate training for all cadets, who study in Lappeenranta for a year and then go to the Finnish National Defence University in Helsinki.
The last cohorts from the school were quickly promoted to luutnantti, and existing graduates may complete their degree by studying while working.
In 1974, however, professional NCOs (kanta-aliupseeris) were promoted to officers called toimiupseeri (toimi refers to a specialist post) and the school became Päällystöopisto "Command School".
Training would take 2.5 years and graduates were to be promoted directly to vänrikki, an officer rank.
The rank of the students was opistoupseerioppilas, which was comparable to ylikersantti, and they would be promoted to vänrikki on graduation.