19.08.2020.

Minister Vulin: Record number of enrolled cadets on the Military Academy

Today, Minister of Defence Aleksandar Vulin and Head of Military Academy Major General Bojan Zrnić visited cadets of the 145^th Class of the first year of education at the Military Academy who are undergoing basic training in the First Training Centre of the Training Command, in barracks “Aerodrom” in Sombor.

After report delivered by Lieutenant Colonel Dejan Hrkalović from the First Training Centre to the minister of defence regarding the realisation of the training and conditions for training of the Military Academy cadets, a part of training was demonstrated by cadets who several days ago started their education at the Military Academy – basic drill. Afterwards, Minister Vulin toured facilities for accommodation of the cadets.

As the minister of defence pointed out, the Serbian Armed Forces had always been a part of our people and our people loves and respects their armed forces, and that the best among them come to the Military Academy. He added that in 2017, we had 146 cadets admitted to the Military Academy and that the number was 209 in this year.

- This is a proof that the interest in the Military Academy is great, and that it will always be great, and that will even grow as much as the awareness grows about the fact that members of the Serbian Armed Forces work hard, diligently, persistently, patiently, but that they live better. All those who have tied their destiny to the Serbian Armed Forces, to our country, should know that they will be taken care of, that, at the Military Academy, they will be enabled to study, and develop themselves in accordance with the highest standards, and that they will have suitable accommodation and equipment as well, and that once they become second lieutenants, our officers will have secured job and opportunity to be promoted in accordance with their work, diligence and competitiveness. The armed forces are there to enable them to live better so that their families are secured and careless together with them, just like the state of Serbia will be secured and peaceful when it has such young men and women and such 145^th class, which has proved to be a record one in terms of numbers, and I believe that it will be the record setting one in terms of those who will finish the class and the knowledge which they will acquire and adopt – Minister Vulin said.

Commander of the 145^th class of cadets, Lieutenant Colonel Zdenko Šiljak said that apart from cadets from the Republic of Serbia, this class includes cadets from the Armed Forces of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

- Immediately upon admittance, the cadets were sent to training centres where they are undergoing basic training aimed at training the cadets in basic military activities and adapting them to the military environment. The basic training is conducted in training centres of the Serbian Armed Forces units and it lasts for six weeks, and all cadets are healthy and motivated to carry out the training - Lieutenant Colonel Šiljak emphasised.

According to Lieutenant Colonel Dejan Hrkalović, the most capable and most competent training instructors have been engaged to train the youngest cadets of the Military Academy, and all conditions have been enabled for accommodation, life and work, and they can carry out all exercises and firing in the barracks “Aerodrom”.

- The training areas are prepared in accordance with the latest standards. Through conduct of individual training they will gain competence in special military training through drill, infantry and tactical training and service rules, then through morale, physical fitness training and other activities. Every type of training is subject to testing after its completion, but I am confident that the cadets of the Military Academy after one and a half month of training will successfully overcome all the standards laid before them - Lieutenant Colonel Hrkalović stated.

Cadet of department of Military Mechanical Engineering Božidar Mitić underlined that he was motivated to enrol on the Military Academy by excellent conditions for life and work and by his love for the uniform.

- I have completed Military High Vocational School and I already underwent certain part of the training. I wanted to be trained even more in order to become better superior officer. For the time being, the first days of the training have been a bit tough, but that is not something new or difficult for me. The training goes according to plans, and we are currently adapting to the field, and we are practicing basic drill. I am satisfied, and this is what I wanted and this is why I am here – cadet Mitić said.

Female cadet Anđela Ružičić attending Air Defence Department stressed that during the adaptation period she had learned drill actions without armament.

- Yesterday, we were provided with arms and we are being trained in basic drill with arms. It is difficult and challenging, but everything can be achieved because it is well organised, ond you can do anything if you want to – female cadet Ružičić stressed.

According to Cadet Marko Ković from Management in Defence Department, this is training which every future officer must undergo.

- Superior officers have exceptional relation towards us, and they are trying to transfer their knowledge to us as well as they know, and we are trying to acquire that knowledge in order to be able to transfer that knowledge to younger generations once we become officers – Cadet Ković underscored and invited all young people to enrol on the Military Academy because “it is a school for the best and for the chosen ones”.

The visit was attended by Chief of Staff of the Training Command Colonel Nikola Dejanović.