War College
From Star Trek: Gamma One
The Romulan Star Empire War College, more properly referred to as the Military Rhetor of the Romulan Star Empire, is the Empire's equivalent to Starfleet Academy of the Federation. As with that institution, only the cream of the crop gain admittance to the War College. Much fewer actually graduate from it, but those who succeed in doing so can use it to launch into a very successful career, not just in the Romulan Star Navy, but later on in politics as well. They're the elite, and they know it.
Generally, students matriculate directly following the end of their Serona. The War College itself is located on the Romulan world Devorren, a cold, harsh world where even vegetation struggles to survive. The grueling training lasts four years; if a student should fail any part of the training, he or she is dismissed from the Rhetor (after suitable mind alteration to ensure no memories of the War College remain, of course). The first year focuses almost completely on rigorous physical training, including runs several miles long in the freezing Devorren winds and sometimes lethal lessons in unarmed combat. The only relief from that harsh schedule is a few classes in basic military life.
During the second year, although physical training continues, studies are primarily devoted to more indepth military lessons- how to use military equipment, war training, ship recognition. Students are also given a series of courses focusing on each major area of operations aboard a starship, so they obtain some general knowledge of how each works. It's during the third year that the students begin training in a specific line of study (Command, Engineering, etc.). Most often, a student's desires are considered when they're thrust into this training, but sometimes the Navy will choose a different path of study for him or her. In either case, the training is intense- a normal class may last twelve hours a day, with only tiny breaks for relief and food. (Not that Rhetor students are given much food to begin with, only about two thirds of the calories they really need, in order to weld them into lean, honed military personnel.)
The fourth year is the Romulan equivalent of a cadet cruise. Ranked as Junior Uhlan, a young officer candidate is assigned to a Navy vessel for on-the-job training. During this time, they tend to be hazed by those of higher rank rather brutally, though it doesn't go too far. The Navy has spent a lot of time and money in developing the resources that these future officers are, and they don't want that time and money wasted.
Presuming that the student survives all four years and graduates, he or she is commissioned with the rank of Uhlan. The new officer's first posting is often the same vessel upon which was served his Junior Uhlan year.
