15.01.2025.
Training Command Day marked
Minister of Defence Bratislav Gašić attended a ceremony to mark the Training Command Day at the Guard Club in Topčider today.
Minister Gašić extended his best wishes for the holiday and recalled our military’s historical moments and its role as a pillar of security, stability and national pride.- January 15 is extremely important in the history of the Serbian army and statehood. On this day in 1883, the Law on the Organization of the Army was promulgated, which was a big step towards building a modern, organized and efficient military force. At the time, the Kingdom of Serbia was facing numerous challenges. It was necessary to reform the army and defend independence amidst complex political and security circumstances. The Law on the Organization of the Army was an articulation of the vision of the then military leaders, who understood that the freedom, sovereignty and honour of the state can only be protected with a well-trained and organized army - said the Minister of Defence.
He added that the aforementioned law had established a system consisting of permanent forces and a reserve, with a clear aim - to ensure, if needed, the mobilization of people for the defence of the country.- Military service was compulsory for all able-bodied men, and training was carefully organized. During their military service, soldiers received the necessary training before being transferred to the reserve. All the great victories of the Serbian army - from the battles of Kumanovo and Bregalnica to the battles of Cer and Kolubara - would not have been possible without thorough training and preparation carried out in accordance with that very law - said Minister Gašić.
In his address, the Minister of Defence said that "the Training Command has a significant role in our country's defence system, because it creates the basis without which no military can function – well prepared, highly trained and strongly motivated soldiers and non-commissioned officers."
- They are the backbone and the most important asset of every military, because they are responsible for carrying out tasks in the field and are the backbone of military operations. Therefore, the Training Command’s mission is to mould their character, develop discipline, strengthen team spirit and build unswerving loyalty to the motherland. Our training centres provide all recruits with an opportunity to acquire military skills and habits, learn the basics of military tactics and weapon handling, improve their physical fitness, which enables them to face any challenge – said Minister Gašić.According to him, non-commissioned officers, who learn leadership skills at the Training Command, play a key role in commanding soldiers and providing them with individual training, and their ability to maintain morale among soldiers and ensure a successful execution of tasks is invaluable.
- They are leaders in their everyday jobs and heroes in extraordinary circumstances. Without well-trained soldiers and NCOs, no military can carry out its mission successfully. That is why the Training Command is the Serbian Armed Forces’ driving force, a place where young people who are ready and willing to serve their country are forged and hardened. When the decision is made to reinstate compulsory military service, your role will be even more important. Make sure you are ready to fulfil all the tasks that the General Staff of our armed forces assigns to you. The implementation of that project largely depends on your effort and your work - said Minister Gašić, expressing his confidence that all members of the Training Command would perform all their tasks successfully and on time. He also told them to continue training the personnel and working to improve the situation so that every soldier and non-commissioned officer can gain the required level of knowledge and skills during their training.Commander of the Training Command Major General Zoran Nasković said that the Training Command was formed in 2007 by merging seven basic training centres and five specialized training centres for different arms, branches and services.
- Our worth can be expressed through our ability to defend our country against both military and non-military threats. Over the past year, we have tested our capabilities in a series of activities. The results show that we have managed to maintain and improve the necessary capabilities. Members of the Training Command, I wish you a happy Training Command Day and I would like to take this opportunity to commend you for everything you have done in the past period to maintain and improve our capabilities – said General Nasković.The ceremony was attended by members of the Defence Minister’s and the Chief of the General Staff’s respective collegiums, members of the Ministry of Defence and the Serbian Armed Forces, representatives of the Serbian Orthodox Church, local self-government, businesses and institutions that have successful cooperation with the Training Command, and numerous guests.
