Cimatu studied engineering for two years at the National University in Manila before taking and passing the entrance exam for the Philippine Military Academy. He took the Infantry Officers Advanced Course with the Philippine Army Training Command and graduated from the Academy as a second lieutenant of the Magiting Class of 1970 and topped his batch and received the highest grade of 97.27%. He then enrolled at the Aerostar Flying School to become a certified helicopter and fixed-wing aircraft pilot. He also trained at the United States Army Command and General Staff College at Fort Leavenworth in Kansas, U.S.
