17.09.2021.

Swearing-in ceremony held

Soldiers of the "September 2021" generation performing their voluntary military service, cadets attending the Military Academy and the Military Medical Academy’s Medical Faculty, participants in the Reserve Officers Course, the Secondary Vocational Military School students and reservists who did not perform their military service under arms have taken the oath of enlistment today in the Serbian Armed Forces’ barracks in Sombor, Valjevo and Leskovac.

By taking the oath of enlistment in front of the flag of the Republic of Serbia, 737 young men and women swore that they would preserve and defend the independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Republic of Serbia.

The ceremony held in Valjevo was attended by the Chief of the Serbian Armed Forces General Staff, General Milan Mojsilović, who congratulated the soldiers and expressed satisfaction with the defence system becoming richer by more than 700 young people ready to defend their homeland, fellow citizens and the highest values of our society.

Addressing the young men and women who have taken the oath today, the Chief of the General Staff emphasized that great efforts are being made to further improve the status and the standard of living of all members of the Serbian Armed Forces.

Speaking about the importance of a strong military for Serbia’s stability and the progress of the entire society, General Mojsilović said that the Serbian Armed Forces are strengthening their capabilities every day in order to remain a force and a factor that must be counted on.

- Serbia is facing complex relations in the sphere of national, regional and global security, which require that the defence system and security forces have a high level of capability to respond to all challenges, risks and threats to national security. In light of these challenges, we, members of the Serbian Armed Forces, are arming ourselves, training and constantly improving our skills in order to deter potential aggressors and enable the citizens of the Republic of Serbia to build their future safely and in peace. In this process, we have the full support of the Supreme Commander of the Serbian Armed Forces, President of the Republic Aleksandar Vučić, as well as the Government of the Republic of Serbia, thanks to which the Serbian Armed Forces have been rapidly arming themselves and strengthening their capabilities for carrying out the assigned missions and tasks - said General Mojsilović.

- We are following the path marked out by our glorious ancestors and predecessors, determined to strengthen the capabilities of the Serbian Armed Forces and perform every task set before us by our homeland, our Serbia - concluded General Mojsilović.

The swearing-in ceremony in Leskovac was attended by Deputy Chief of the Serbian Armed Forces General Staff, Lieutenant General Petar Cvetković, and in Sombor, the Commander of the Training Command, Brigadier General Željko Petrović.

The Military Academy cadet, Rastko Ostojić, who has taken the oath in his hometown of Sombor, said that he and his family are happy because of today's ceremony and because he is continuing the military tradition.

- I enrolled in the Military Academy primarily because of family tradition. I had a role model at home, my father. The Military Academy offers a high level of education. To those who do not have an affinity for the Military Academy and do not want to pursue a career in the military, I would warmly recommend performing the military service, because I believe that everyone should undergo military training - said Cadet Ostojić.

Cadet Andrea Brklja from Sokolac, Republika Srpska, also believes that the Military Academy can offer a lot to its students.

- The military profession is the most honourable profession in the world. It’s a profession I admire. The Military Academy has a reputation as one of the best educational institutions in Serbia. After graduating from the Military Academy, I will continue to work in the Serbian Armed Forces as an officer - Brklja says.

Ljubina Kojić from Svileuva, one of the military volunteers who have taken the oath today, says that the conditions in the military are good.

- I am satisfied with the conditions in the military, the food in the restaurant, the superiors, the training. I hope that after I complete my military service, I will get an employment with the Serbian Armed Forces - said Kojić.