A student from the Camilo Cienfuegos Military School in Bayamo has proudly shared her experience, emphasizing that her education is deeply rooted in the principles of honesty, discipline, and courage, which she attributes to the legacy of Camilo Cienfuegos. This reflects not only her sense of pride but also the indoctrination she receives. "Everything we do is inspired by Camilo's example," she told CMKX Radio Bayamo.
As the battalion's political officer, the young woman is committed to promoting discipline and organizing activities within the school. She believes these values make her an "exemplary student." Furthermore, she claims that being a part of the "Camilitos" has instilled in her skills and principles that will benefit her future: "Being a Camilito has instilled in me many values that will serve me in my life."
Military Education: Discipline Over Critical Thinking
Her testimony underscores the type of training these military institutions advocate, designed to inculcate a conduct model based on disciplined task fulfillment and values of sacrifice and dedication. However, it also highlights a rigid educational system where obedience and the propagation of official ideals take precedence, leaving little room for critical or alternative perspectives.
In a stark contrast, Enio Ángel Vega Catá, a Cuban citizen who spent 14 years with the Revolutionary Armed Forces (FAR), revealed in 2023 that he now lives as a homeless person, abandoned by social services and Cuban authorities. "I am currently homeless. I have nowhere to live, nothing at all. I was an officer in the Armed Forces for 14 years. I reached the rank of Captain. I studied at the 'Camilitos,' at the Cadet School of La Cabaña. I graduated there as a Tactical Command Technician," Vega Catá shared with the independent media outlet CubaNet.