23.12.2022.
Class of December 2022 takes oath of enlistment
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence Miloš Vučević attended the oath-taking ceremony, held in the “Field Marshal Živojin Mišić“ barracks in Valjevo today. Soldiers of the December 2022 intake and the Air Force and Air Defence NCO Course participants took the oath of enlistment.
Congratulating them on taking the oath of enlistment, Minister Vučević said that it was an important event in their lives. According to him, the oath they took today is perhaps the most important promise they will ever make in their lives.- You have sworn to the coat of arms and the flag of the Republic of Serbia that you will stand with your people wherever and whenever needed. May this oath be engraved in your hearts forever and may it inspire you to perform your military duties as long as you wear military uniform, but also in your daily lives. May it be your loadstar in protecting our homeland and all its sanctities. Respect our ancestors’ heroic deeds, which the whole world was proud of and which enemy commanders praised throughout history, regretting not having the honour of commanding them as well. Never forget that you belong to a nation that is proud of its ancestors, because you can only have a bright future if you feel the utmost respect for your history. I am proud of you because, having made this choice, you have set a good example for all young men and women, and inspired them to love and to want to join the honourable military profession, and I must congratulate you on that, said Minister Vučević.
They are given the opportunity, he said, to learn how to use weapons and military equipment, to check and improve their physical and mental abilities, to make good friends in a specific environment such as the military one, and gain unique experience that they will find useful in their future life’s challenges.
- Thanks to the support of the state leadership, we have done a lot to improve the living and working conditions, the training, as well as the financial status and living standards of our service members. I am sure that you will experience that firsthand, and I am convinced that, besides our future non-commissioned officers, majority of you standing here today will decide to pursue a professional career in the Serbian Armed Forces after completing your military service. There will always be room for the best, said the Minister of Defence.Addressing the families and friends of the soldiers and future non-commissioned officers of the Serbian Armed Forces, Minister Vučević thanked them for entrusting their sons and daughters to the Serbian Armed Forces, to perform "a difficult but prideworthy role, the role of the defender of the homeland" and added that it was "a great victory in one’s life".
The Minister of Defence said that the Republic of Serbia was facing complex relations in the spheres of national, regional and global security, which were primarily characterized by political and legal violence, acts of terror against our people in Kosovo and Metohija carried out by provisional institutions in Priština, but also with global problems that greatly affect our region.
- In light of these challenges, the Serbian Armed Forces are getting ready to create conditions for our citizens to build their future safely and in peace. We are increasing our operational capabilities and boosting morale; we are training and equipping ourselves for the defence of Serbia and the protection of its vital interests and values, sincerely hoping that we would never have to test those capabilities in reality. We will always stand with our people, because the Serbian Armed Forces foster the tradition of the people's army. The reason for our existence is to provide security to the citizens of Serbia, emphasized Minister Vućević and expressed hope that the soldiers and NCO Course participants would receive top training and that the military oath would stay in their minds and hearts forever.- 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. Long live the Serbian Armed Forces, long live our homeland Serbia, the Minister of Defence said at the end of his speech.
Today's ceremony was attended by the commander of the Training Command, Major General Željko Petrović, representatives of the Ministry of Defence, the Serbian Armed Forces, local self-government, the Ministry of the Interior and religious communities, as well as families and friends of soldiers and Air Force and Air Defence NCO Course participants.
The ceremony commander was Colonel Saša Stojiljković, commander of the 2nd Training Centre in Valjevo.Novak Jovanović from Kosovska Mitrovica has decided to apply for voluntary military service because he has loved the military since childhood.
- I expect to get a job in the military and everyone, especially men, should do their voluntary military service. I would recommend this to everyone because of friendship, and because in the military you "become a man", said Private Jovanović.
Ivana Zdravković from Kuršumlija comes from a "military family". She has decided to enrol on the Air Force and Air Defence NCO Course out of love for her country and the military. She has invited young people to apply for this course, adding that the training is extremely well-planned and that socializing with fellow-students is fantastic.