18.03.2022.

Class of March 2022 takes oath of enlistment

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence Nebojša Stefanović, PhD, attended the oath of enlistment ceremony performed by the Class of March 2022 military volunteers and participants in the Military Academy and the MMA Medical Faculty Reserve Officers’ Course, which was held at the "Field Marshal Živojin Mišić" barracks in Valjevo today. Minister Stefanović told the young soldiers and course participants that there is no greater pride than to make a pledge that you will be there for your country and your people, wherever and whenever needed.

- Your wonderful parents are here, your brothers and sisters, spouses, children and friends, to whom we are deeply grateful because they have supported your decision to come here and be part of your and our armed forces. I know that their support has greatly contributed to your decision to be here today. Having made the decision to perform your military service in your country, you have assumed one of the key roles in the defence of our country. Never forget that. Today, by continuing the tradition of our glorious armed forces, here, in the barracks named after the famous Živojin Mišić, we are sending a clear message that the citizens of Serbia are aware of the importance of the security of our country - said Stefanović.

The Minister said that today's oath of enlistment ceremony was also attended by Major General Željko Petrović, Commander of the Training Command, who was once the commander of our First Brigade, and also the commander of our frontier forces in the north of Serbia in 1999, when our country was going through difficult times.

- With us today, standing in this formation of soldiers, are three brothers, Mikailo, Miodrag and Mladomir Vučićević, born on the same day in 2003, three brothers, triplets, as we call them in Serbia, the pride of our country. During their training, they have shown that they are great soldiers. All of you, dear soldiers and participants in the reserve officers' course, have made the decision to undergo training and learn how to protect your homeland and your loved ones. You made the decision to be the pillar of your country's defence, not thinking about yourself, but thinking about how you can help Serbia, which makes us even more proud of you - said the Minister.

According to him, by choosing to serve in the military, they showed that they are brave, courageous, true sons and daughters of their country.

- The defence system you are joining today is truly proud of all the soldiers and reserve officers’ course participants in this class. We are also proud of our decision to build strong Armed Forces that will guarantee a life of peace for our people and stability and security for our country. That decision proved to be the right one. Today, Serbia is a free, independent and sovereign country, which is able to make decisions exclusively in the interest of its own people. We are a neutral country that does not want and will not wage other people’s wars or sacrifice its children for anyone's interests, a country that does not want any wars, that wants to build, become economically stronger, develop and contribute to the stability of the entire region. Today, Serbia is such a country and the whole world respects our decision. That is why it was important to build strong armed forces, which are ready to defend Serbia from any challenge or threat and whose soldiers are trained to carry out the most demanding tasks, armed forces that keep peace with their strength and deter anyone who might even think of harming our people - said Stefanović.

According to him, today our armed forces have modernized MiG-29 aircraft, Mi-35, Mi-17 and H145M combat helicopters, new air defence system batteries, Little Miloš unmanned ground vehicles, "Lazars", "Noras", "Pasars", etc.

- We use domestic intelligence and our own defence industry, as well as the weapons we buy abroad, to arm our military and make them the best-equipped and ready to protect our country at all times. Today, our soldiers are better paid, better trained, and most importantly, respected and appreciated by their country. The Serbian Armed Forces have been and will always be a reliable support for our country and we will continue to enhance our operational capabilities, train and arm ourselves, sincerely hoping that we will never have to use any of this knowledge, skills or weapons in any situation, but that we will always be ready to protect our country - said the Minister.

On behalf of all members of the Ministry of Defence, Stefanović thanked the soldiers’ parents for raising and preparing these wonderful boys and girls to stand with their country.

- Today, the whole of Serbia is proud of your children, we share your joy and pride in these young people who have decided to become soldiers and officers of our armed forces. Dear soldiers, be proud members of the Serbian Armed Forces, proud of the oath you have taken today, and never forget that Serbia is our only homeland. Preserve and defend the independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Republic of Serbia, be the pride of your country, bring respect to it wherever you go and always be aware of the huge responsibility and honour that come with your uniform, national flag and coat of arms of Serbia - said Stefanović.

Minister Stefanović attended the signing of the wording of the oath of enlistment and talked to the soldiers and participants in the Reserve Officers' Course who shared with him their impressions about the first days spent in uniform, but also their vision of the future in the Serbian Armed forces.

The commander of the ceremony was Colonel Saša Stojiljković, commander of Valjevo’s 2nd Training Centre.

Today's ceremony was attended by Assistant Minister for Human Resources Katarina Tomašević, Assistant Minister for Budget and Finance Katarina Pavičić, Secretary of the Ministry of Defence Milica Ćatić, Commander of the Training Command, Major General Željko Petrović, Head of the Defence Minister’s Office, Colonel Stevan Kotarlić, Head of the Kolubara Administrative District Goran Milivojević, representatives of the local self-government, Ministry of the Interior, Security Information Agency, Serbian Orthodox Church, Union of War Veterans of the National Liberation Wars of Serbia (SUBNOR), defence industry companies and former commanders of the 2nd Training Centre.