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Created in 1963, the National School for Active Non-Commissioned Officers (ENSOA) is the "mother house" of the Army's non-commissioned officers. To date, it has trained more than 130,000 students and welcomes more than 5,000 students and trainees per year. Since 2009, it has provided all general and advanced training for Army non-commissioned officers. History The military vocation of Saint-Maixent was born in the turmoil of History and the fracas of battles. As early as 1224, mention appears of the royal castle that would make Saint-Maixent a stronghold. In 1878, the town welcomed the 114th Infantry Regiment and the decision was taken to establish a military school in the old castle and its outbuildings. In 1881, the town of Saint-Maixent welcomed the Infantry Military School (EAI). Proud of this shared common history, the city took the name of Saint-Maixent-l'École in 1926. From 1963, the date of creation of ENSOA, to 1967, the date of the departure of EAI, the two schools coexisted on the same site. The regiments then made available to it the best of their officers and their non-commissioned officers so that the first promotion, called "promotion of the flag", was trained to the height of the ambitions displayed: to give the Army the non-commissioned officers it needed. Saint-Maixent-l'École thus asserted itself as an essential step in the professional career of the non-commissioned officer and the obligatory point of passage for the majority of the management of the Army. Located in the heart of Saint-Maixent-l'École, ENSOA is spread over several sites: The Coiffé district, built in 1914 to meet the needs of the garrison due to the law extending military service to three years. Since the creation of ENSOA, this district has continued to develop. The heart of the school, it brings together the headquarters, 4 battalions of students, the NCO training company, the buildings for volunteer recruits and a modern and functional training building with numerous classrooms. The Marchand district, a reception area open to the city, houses the NCO museum and the building reserved for single executives. The Panier Fleuri, its sports complex allows the practice of various team, individual and military sports. It also contains the school's shooting range. The Avon camp with its groves and seven farms, offers large spaces for training and practice in "country life" and combat. It is located 15 km northeast of Saint-Maixent-l'École. It also includes a combat village allowing initiation to actions in urban areas. Its motto: "Rise through effort" Find us on our networks: Facebook: / armee2terre X: / armeedeterre Instagram: / armee2terre TikTok: / armee.de.terre LinkedIn: / armee-de-terre SoundCloud: / armee2terre Official website: https://www.defense.gouv.fr/terre TERRE Mag: https://www.terremag.defense.gouv.fr