The emblem of the Theresan Military Academy consists of a Gothic shield in red colour. It bears the badge of the Order of Maria Theresia. Above and below it, in the white field, there is the inscription "AEIOU" and the date 1752.
The badge of the Order of Maria Theresia represents the necessity for self-initiated action.
The inscription "AEIOU" establishes the connection to Frederick III and the castle at Wiener Neustadt. It was during this period that the castle came to look much as it does now. Frederick used the symbolic AEIOU-signature as a property mark and a kind of motto with various meanings. Frederick's first use of the five-letter monogram was in 1437. One note in his notebook explains it in German and Latin as "All the world is subject to Austria" (Alles Erdreich ist Österreich untertan or Austriae est imperare orbi universo).
Other interpretations have been put forth, including by contemporary heraldists. Several explanations proceed on the assumption that it was meant as a political slogan, from the Latin phrases:
- Austria est imperio optime unita ("Austria is best united by the Empire").
- Austria erit in orbe ultima ("Austria will be the last (surviving) in the world").
- Austriae est imperare orbi universo ("It is Austria's destiny to rule the whole world").
A total of more than 300 Latin and German interpretations have been attempted over the centuries.
The year 1752 was the year of the beginning of officer training.
The permission to use this emblem was granted in 1985.
Occasionally the former emblem is still in use, for example on the ring of the military academy.
On a grey shield, it also shows the badge of the Order of Maria Theresia and the date 1752. The shield is crowned by the monogram of Maria Theresia - the founder.
This emblem is the result of a competition in which the commander of the military academy invited all members of the military academy to participate in 1957.
The aim was to create a badge with symbolic value.
The jury unanimously chose this emblem from almost 100 designs.
The emblem of the Military Academy not only decorates the uniform, but is also used in other forms.
