Each of the armed forces maintains its own complex of training establishments, which are of uniformly high quality. These centers attract large numbers of students, not only from Latin America but also from countries such as the United States, Germany, Spain, Israel, and Taiwan. In addition to the complex of training establishments maintained by each of the individual armed forces, the Ministry of Defense operates the National Defense Academy (Academia de Defensa Nacional), a triservice, university-level education establishment. Successful completion of its courses is a prerequisite to promotion to senior rank in all three services.

The army's Military Academy, the War Academy (also known as the War College, or Escuela Superior de Guerra--ESG), the Army Aviation Command (Comando de Aviación de Ejército), and the Noncommissioned Officers' School are all located in Santiago. Officer candidates must complete the five-year course of the Military Academy successfully before being commissioned and must complete an additional course at the War Academy to qualify for promotion to field rank or appointment to the General Staff. The army has a comprehensive range of specialist schools, including the Infantry School (Regimiento Escuela de Infantería) in San Bernardo (near Santiago), the Mountain Warfare School (Regimiento Escuela de Montaña) in Río Blanco (near Los Andes), the Special Forces School (Regimiento Escuela de Fuerzas Especiales y Paracaidistas) in Peldehue, the Armored Cavalry School (Regimiento Escuela de Caballería Blindada) in Quillota, a subsidiary Armored Forces School (Escuela de Fuerzas Blindadas) in Antofagasta, the Artillery School (Regimiento Escuela de Artillería) in Linares, the Engineers' School (Regimiento Escuela de Ingenieros) in Tejas Verdes, and the Signals School (Regimiento Escuela de Telecomunicaciones) in Santiago. There are also the Military Polytechnical Academy (Academia Politécnica Militar) in Santiago, the Women's Military School (Escuela Militar Femenina) in Cajón de Maipo, and the Physical Education School (Escuela de Educación Física) in Santiago.

The navy's Arturo Prat Naval School provides a five-year course for naval officer cadets. Officers must complete postgraduate courses at the Naval War Academy for promotion to flag rank or appointment to the naval General Staff. Selected petty officers may qualify for commissioned rank by completing a two-year course at the Arturo Prat Naval School but are ineligible for promotion beyond the rank of captain. Noncommissioned personnel receive their training at the navy's comprehensive range of specialist schools located in Viña del Mar or Talcahuano. The creation in Valparaíso of the Pilot Luis Pardo Villalón Antarctic Navigation School (Escuela de Navigación Antártica "Piloto Luis Pardo Villalón") was announced in August 1991 by the director of the General Directorate of the Maritime Territory and Merchant Marine.

The air force's General Staff controls the Air Force Staff College (Academia de Guerra Aérea). The FACh Personnel Command controls the other schools: the Air Force Technical College (Academia Politécnica 32c a Aérea) the Specialists' School (Escuela de Especialidades), which was equipped with Piper Dakotas and the Captain Ávalos Prado Aviation School (Escuela de Aviación "Capitán Ávalos"). The latter offers a basic three-year course to officer cadets, followed by two years of specialized training before commissioning. It is equipped with Enaer/CASA T-36 Halcóns and Enaer T-35 Pilláns. The Logistical Command controls the nonflying Supply Wing and the Engineering and Maintenance Wing, headquartered at El Bosque.

Data as of March 1994