Military education in the Soviet Union

There existed an evolved system of military education in the Soviet Union that covered a wide range of ages.

Training at military departments of civilian institutions of higher education was mandatory also for all able-bodied female medical students.

Junior officers courses were open to persons completed secondary school and finished their military service as conscripts.

Persons graduated from civilian institutions of higher education without military departments and drafted into military service as soldier/sailor could pass special exams at the end of their conscript service; such persons were demobbed with officer's rank.

There also existed schools for non-commissioned officers, often part of the draft service for distinguished soldiers, as a step towards the professional military career.

Civilians could receive military-related training in military-support organizations DOSAAF (initial name was OSOAVIAKHIM).