21.10.2016.
Promotion of the youngest non-commissioned officers of the Serbian Armed Forces
Ceremony of the promotion of non-commissioned officers, students of the 8th and 9th classes of basic course for non-commissioned officers, was held today in Pancevo barracks "National hero Stevica Jovanović".The ceremony, organized by the Training Command, was attended by Defence Minister Zoran Djordjevic, Serbian Armed Forces Chief of General Staff General Ljubisa Dikovic, with members of the collegium, commanders at the operational level, with the first non-commissioned officers, representatives of the units from the garrison place in Pancevo, as well as representatives of the local self-government, relatives and friends of the youngest non-commissioned officers.
The best students of the class 8 are Sergeant Vukasin Nickovic (GPA 4.89), Sergeant Bojan Pesic (4.86) and Sergeant Dejan Rosic (4.85), while the best in class 9 are Sergeant Djordje Miladinovic (4.95), Sergeant Borko Jovanovic (4.95) and Sergeant Srdjan Mitic (4.83). Defence Minister handed them wrist watches, binoculars and hand-held compasses.Congratulating on their promotion to the first NCO rank, Chief of General Staff of the Serbian Armed Forces, General Ljubisa Dikovic, pointed out that being a non-commissioned officer of the Serbian Armed Forces is a great honour and carries a huge burden of responsibility, as they are responsible for training, order and discipline in the unit.
- You will be the leaders of your soldiers and an example of how the orders of superiors should be carried out, so you must be experts, consistent, professional and honourable, General Dikovic said.The Chief of General Staff told to the new sergeants that, as leaders of their troops, they are to build their authority on knowledge and personal example.
- Perform professionally and consciously your duties on your functional positions and be sure that the people you command will respect you – General Dikovic said telling to the youngest non-commissioned officers that on that way they should be inspired and encouraged by patriotism and heroism of prominent military leaders and NCOs from the rich and famous Serbian history.
Thanking for the congratulations, the best-in-class Sergeant Djordje Miladinovic said that he and his colleagues in recent months, in addition to military skills, learned about the importance of developing a collective and competitive spirit, but also about the professionalism and education.
- Being a member of the Serbian Armed Forces means the highest level of morality, discipline and love for the country, so we, 154 young non-commissioned officers, are now standing before you, willing to give our lives to the service of our people and our country – Sergeant Miladinovic said, emphasizing the great support they had during education from all their superiors, and he especially thanked the chief NCOs and experienced instructors of the NCO Training and Advancement Centre.After the ceremonial parade of the units, the guests toured also the static display.
In the rank of a sergeant, today, 73 professional soldiers from class 8 and 81 from class 9 were promoted, whereby 154 new NCOs include 15 women.
