01.09.2023.

Graduation ceremony for Secondary Vocational Military School’s 50th Class

A graduation ceremony to honour the 50th Class who have finished the Secondary Vocational Military School “1300 Corporals” and their promotion to their first NCO rank was held today at the Military Academy.

On that occasion, State Secretary at the Ministry of Defence Mile Jelić presented awards to the best students.

Addressing the newly promoted sergeants of the Serbian Armed Forces, State Secretary Jelić said that the Serbian non-commissioned officer has always performed his professional duties honourably, and spoke briefly about the history of the Non-Commissioned Officer School in the Serbian military.

- Today, the Secondary Vocational Military School "1300 Corporals” is undergoing fundamental reforms aimed at designing a modern, efficient and functional system of military education, which will cater to the needs and tasks of the Serbian Armed Forces. The development of military higher education and secondary education is closely connected with the development of the state, technological potentials and defence requirements of the modern age, and today we can proudly say that this school contributes to the modernization of the Serbian Armed Forces and helps them rank among the most esteemed state institutions. At the time when this school was founded, the military, the officer and NCO corps were the promoters of the national idea and the Serbian statehood, and today there is no better institution to preserve that statehood and its identity than the Serbian Armed Forces, in accordance with the tasks and missions for which they were designed - State Secretary Jelić said.

According to him, the Secondary Vocational Military School "1300 Corporals" produces responsible and professional non-commissioned officers.

- The generation standing in formation before us, after this solemn ceremony promoting them to their first NCO rank, will take on duties in our armed forces, determined to safeguard and protect our homeland. We can proudly say that they are ready to address any challenge or task given to them - said State Secretary Jelić adding that the students achieved notable results during their schooling and that some of them will continue their education at the Military Academy.

He told the new non-commissioned officers of the Serbian Armed Forces that as of today everything they have practiced becomes a real task.

- The life of your teammates will depend on your knowledge, skills and competence in certain situations. You have chosen an honourable and difficult military profession so you should do your best to persevere on that path, because you are the pride of your homeland and the Serbian Armed Forces. The Secondary Vocational Military School "1300 Corporals" has provided you with military and technical education, and it has devoted maximum effort into making good people out of you. Consider this school your second home, because you have matured and grown up in it in a short time. I wish you lots of luck and success in your future work and training - said the State Secretary.

Head of the Secondary Vocational Military School "1300 Corporals", Navy Captain Srđan Miljković, congratulated the new sergeants on their graduation and expressed hope that they will fulfil their duties honourably, consistently and responsibly.

- Share the knowledge and skills you have acquired in school with your younger colleagues and soldiers and improve your knowledge. Learn from the older and the more experienced, obey your superiors and be their support. Be cooperative and loyal to the unit, strengthen your team. I hope you will achieve your professional goals - said Captain Miljković.

The best students in the 50th Class are: the first-ranked Sergeant Filip Marković (Electronic Warfare Study Programme, GPA 4.65), the second-ranked Sergeant Ivan Mucha (Air Force and Air Defence Study Programme, GPA 4.59), and the third-ranked Sergeant Julijana Dačković (Air Force and Air Defence Study Programme, GPA 4.54).

The best student in the 50th class, Sergeant Marković thanked his superiors, professors and parents for their support over the past four years.

- Today does not only mark the completion of our schooling, but the beginning of our professional development as non-commissioned officers of the Serbian Armed Forces, as commanders, and above all as honourable people, because there is no more honourable profession than the one we will be doing, serving our people and our homeland. During our education we learned a lot, had ups and downs, but we all strove towards this day. We helped each other, supported and encouraged each other. Today we stand here proudly because we have achieved our goal - said Sergeant Marković.

The ceremony was also attended by Head of the Military Office of the President of the Republic of Serbia, Brigadier General Predrag Kraljević, Rector of the Defence University, Brigadier General Prof. Boban Đorović, PhD, Commandant of the Military Academy, Assoc. Prof. Srđan Blagojević, PhD, and Sergeant Major of the Serbian Armed Forces Nenad Stević.