27.09.2024.

Oath-taking ceremonies held

Minister of Defence Bratislav Gašić attended the oath-taking ceremonies held in the Aerodrom Barracks in Sombor and the Field Marshal Živojin Mišić Barracks in Valjevo today.

The ceremony in Valjevo was attended by the Chief of the Serbian Armed Forces General Staff, Gen. Milan Mojsilović, and in Sombor by the Deputy Chief of the General Staff, Lt. Gen. Želimir Glišović.

In the Sombor, Valjevo and Leskovac barracks, the oath was taken by the cadets of the Military Academy (149th class) and the Medical Faculty, Military Medical Academy, (16th class), Reserve Officer Training Course students (Class of September 2024), students of the 1300 Corporals Secondary Vocational Military School (52nd class), candidates for the admission to Special Forces under Project 5000 and soldiers who are starting their voluntary military service (Class of September 2024).

Minister Gašić congratulated the soldiers in Sombor on taking their oath and greeted them on behalf of all members of the Ministry of Defence and the Serbian Armed Forces, saying that Sombor was a town which had hosted numerous military ceremonies and kept alive the memory of Serbian freedom-loving and military traditions.

- Today you made a promise – a big and binding one. You promised to safeguard and defend every foot of our beloved country and your fellow-countrymen’s right to freedom. The military oath leaves a deep mark in the life of everyone who takes it. Behind its wording lies the maturity of a young man, brought up in a spirit of patriotism. The one who takes the military oath demonstrates a willingness to tackle life's challenges and show responsibility for both oneself and others. By taking the military oath, you have joined the ranks of your brave and courageous fathers and grandfathers before you. Therefore, I once again congratulate the parents of our cadets and soldiers from the bottom of my heart. Thank you for raising such conscientious and brave patriots - said the Minister of Defence.

Addressing the Military Academy cadets, Minister Gašić said that they had chosen a profession that enjoyed a great reputation and honour among our people, and that the road to the first officer's rosette "is not a wide imperial road, but a path full of challenges".

- As you walk along that path, may you be inspired by the glorious deeds of the Serbian army and our great military leaders, as well as the words of the military oath you have just taken. Having made a solemn vow today, you have truly become part of the Cadet Brigade. I wish you a successful education and I hope that excellent health and good luck accompany you on your way to becoming officers of the Serbian Armed Forces - emphasized Minister Gašić. He told the cadets of the MMA’s Medical Faculty that the medical profession and uniform were a combination of humanity and honour, medical and military ethics, a combination of the greatest virtues that can be put at the service of one’s people and country.

- You have just taken the military oath, and once you complete your studies, you will take the Hippocratic Oath. May both those oaths guide you in your upcoming training and professional careers – said Minister Gašić.

Minister Gašić also addressed the soldiers who took the oath today, saying that he deeply appreciated their decision to join the military.

- You have decided of your own free will to put all your mental and physical abilities at the service of your motherland. By deciding to become a soldier, you have shown great maturity and civic responsibility. There is no more difficult but at the same time more beautiful way to serve your country than to do military service. Your virtues, along with the military training you will receive, will be the best guarantee of Serbia's defence capability. Serbian military uniform is a part of our soldiers’ past, present and future. Serbian military uniform is synonymous with work, order, discipline, security. In it, our people see all that is virtuous and valuable in Serbia. Therefore, you should wear it with dignity - said Minister Gašić.

According to him, the Serbian Armed Forces and their members will always be a firm support for our homeland and its citizens, for better or for worse. We are developing our operational capabilities and boosting morale, we are training and arming ourselves to be able to defend Serbia and protect its vital interests and values, hoping that we will never have to use those capabilities in reality, he said.

- Dear cadets and soldiers, be proud of the oath you have taken. Never forget that Serbia’s freedom is the greatest value and ideal that you protect. Long live the Serbian Armed Forces! Long live Serbia - said the Minister of Defence.

The ceremony in Sombor was attended by Acting Assistant Minister for Defence Policy Predrag Bandić, Head of the Office of the Minister of Defence Brig. Gen. Goran Momčilović, Rector of the Defence University Brig. Gen. Prof. Boban Đorović, Head of the Military Health Department Brig. Gen. Radivoje Anđelković, MD, Ph.D., Deputy Commander of the Training Command Col. Nebojša Cvetković, Commander of the First Training Centre Col. Lazar Ostojić, representatives of the Ministry of the Interior, local self-government, religious communities, and cadets’ and soldiers’ relatives and friends.

Addressing the people gathered in Valjevo, the Minister of Defence said that taking the military oath “is an act of deep respect and faith in the values our military cherishes and preserves”, and that “it is a growth in maturity and a measure of responsibility that a young person shows towards their country and people”.

- The military oath is a line that one draws between what can and what can never be compromised on - the freedom of one’s country and people. Therefore, your decision to join the Serbian Armed Forces is an indicator of your character and upbringing. The person who chooses to wear the uniform deserves special respect, because being a soldier means serving the common good, being in covenant with the motherland and being ready to make efforts and sacrifices in order to defend the noblest values of a society - emphasized Minister Gašić.

He said that the generations who had joined the military ranks before them had also committed themselves to serving and being loyal to the motherland.

- Your great-grandfathers, grandfathers and fathers never withdraw in the face of blackmail and threats to freedom. They stood firm and defended what was theirs. Be their worthy successors always and in every situation. Dear Special Forces candidates, the moment you decided to join the elite units of the Serbian Armed Forces, you accepted the self-sacrifice, responsibility and obligations that this calling entails. You are expected to be braver and more skilful than the average soldier, to be firmly disciplined and able to deal with difficult situations. What awaits you is a difficult and challenging selective training where you have to do your best to earn a place in the 72nd Special Operations Brigade or the Special Purpose Military Police Detachment "Kobre". I wish you good health and the best of luck in this endeavour. Be confident that, when you join the elite units, Serbia and its citizens will show appreciations for your abilities and self-sacrifice - Minister Gašić said.

He addressed the students of the Reserve Officer Training Course, saying that they were young, well-educated people whose determination to become reserve officers after graduating from their universities spoke of the strength of their personalities and values upheld by their families.

- It also speaks of your ambition to become professional members of the Serbian Armed Forces. Make sure to acquire as much knowledge and skill as possible in the coming months, since they will help you in your future career as officers. Respect your commanders and learn from them. They are your teachers now, but will be your colleagues one day. Keep in mind that in terms of knowledge, behaviour, discipline and dignity, there must be no difference between you and your colleagues who have graduated from the Military Academy. By making an effort, prove that you deserve to be awarded the rank of second lieutenant and be admitted to professional military service - said Minister Gašić.

Addressing the parents of the sworn in students and candidates, the Minister of Defence said - “today is not only a proud day for these young people who are taking the military oath, but for you as well. This is proof that you have directed them onto the right path”.

- You are the ones who taught them values, discipline, respect and love for their homeland. You deserve the gratitude of our country and military, because these beautiful young men and women would not be here today if you had not instilled the sense of honour and patriotism in them. As the Minister of Defence and as a parent, I share your joy and pride - emphasized Minister Gašić and told the candidates and students that “they are joining the Serbian Armed Forces, which are getting stronger by the day”.

According to the Minister of Defence, the country is determined to continue investing in state-of-the-art weapons and equipment, as well as in improving the social status of our service members.

- Those of you who become professional members of the Serbian Armed Forces after completing your reserve officer training and Special Forces selection and training will get the opportunity to build your careers and secure a future for yourselves and your families. Sons and daughters of Serbia, the oath you took today echoes throughout our country. May it forever echo in your hearts as well. Wear the insignia of our armed forces with pride and protect the honour and dignity of the uniform that the citizens of Serbia trust without reservation. Congratulations on taking the oath. Long live the Serbian Armed Forces! Long live Serbia - Minister Gašić concluded.

The ceremony in Valjevo was attended by Commander of the Training Command Maj. Gen. Zoran Nasković, Head of the Office of the Minister of Defence Brig. Gen. Goran Momčilović, Head of the Public Relations Department Brig. Gen. Asst. Prof. Mihailo Zogović, Commander of the 72nd Special Operations Brigade Brig. Gen. Miroslav Talijan, Commandant of the Military Academy Col. Assoc. Prof. Srđan Blagojević, Commander of the Second Training Centre Col. Saša Stojiljković, representatives of the Ministry of the Interior, local self-government, religious communities, and the sworn-in candidates’ numerous relatives and friends.

Cadet Veljko Vuković from Šabac said that he had chosen the Medical Faculty of the Military Medical Academy because it offered advancement opportunities after graduation.

- The Military Academy and the Military Medical Academy offer a specific education that is different compared to other faculties. Medicine in itself is difficult and extensive, and at the Military Medical Academy we are divided into smaller, narrower expert groups, and we have highly educated professors who can pass on their knowledge to us - said Cadet Vuković.

Tara Mitić from Novi Sad, who is enrolled in the MMA’s Medical Faculty, took the military oath in Sombor today.

- I think that the Military Academy and the Military Medical Academy offer better opportunities for me to establish myself as an expert in many fields, to progress and work on myself more than some civilian faculties do. I'm looking forward to my training and I'm not afraid of anything - said Cadet Mitić.

Private Marko Nikolić from Bačka Palanka says that serving in the military and wearing a uniform is his childhood dream, but also a part of his family tradition.

- I believe that work, order and discipline are necessary for every young person in this country and that they should respond to this call - said Private Nikolić.

Aleksandra Zlatanović, a student of the Reserve Officer Training Course who took the military oath in Valjevo today, says that she is a professor at the Faculty of Sport and Physical Education, but that she has always wanted to be a member of the Serbian Armed Forces.

- My parents and my best friend are here to support me, we've all been waiting for this for a long time, so we're elated, and we will celebrate later - said Aleksandra Zlatanović, expressing her pride and joy openly.

After graduating from the Faculty of Medicine, Vukašin Kocić from Niš decided to wear a uniform and continue the family tradition.

- I like the uniform and I want to serve my country. I would like to take this opportunity to invite all my peers who have graduated from civilian faculties to join the military and serve our homeland - said Kocić, a student of the Reserve Officer Training Course.

The oath-taking ceremony in Leskovac was attended by Acting Assistant Minister for Human Resources Siniša Radović, Director of the Defence Inspectorate Maj. Gen. Željko Petrović, Head of the Operations Department, General Staff, Maj. Gen. Tiosav Janković, Chief of Staff of the Training Command Col. Milovan Vasić, and Commander of the Third Training Centre Col. Zoran Cvetković.