15.04.2025.
Soldiers recruited in March undergo skills assessment
Soldiers who started performing their voluntary military service in March this year have had their basic individual skills assessed at the Serbian Armed Forces training centres in Sombor, Valjevo and Leskovac.
This is the first time their skills have been assessed in order to determine their ability to independently carry out tactical actions and procedures on the battlefield, handle weapons and military equipment and perform sentry duty.During the skills assessment, the soldiers were asked to carry out tactical missions, using the knowledge and skills they acquired over the past month and a half, during the first phase of their military service.
Second Lieutenant Nikola Nikolić, a platoon commander at the 3rd Training Centre, explains that individual soldier training starts with an adaptation period, during which soldiers adjust to living and working in a military environment.
— After that, soldiers go through a range of activities, such as close-order drills, tactical, firearms and physical training, learn service rules and regulations, and are subsequently subjected to skills assessment. We have successfully tested all soldiers. We are very proud of the fact that they have all successfully completed this training segment and are ready to be transferred to specialized training centres — say Second Lieutenant Nikolić, emphasizing that friends made in the military are friends forever.
Private Nikola Maksimović applied for military service because all his ancestors were soldiers who served for the freedom and honour of the homeland, which motivated him to follow in their footsteps.— In basic training we learn how to use weapons and are taught everything about first aid and healthy habits, such as having regular meals and sleep routine. It is an honour to wear this uniform, to serve your country and fatherland. I have realized that this is the right profession for me, I want to be a professional soldier, and later on, with further work and motivation, I hope to become an NCO or an officer - says Private Maksimović.
Private Emilija Kovačević from Niš says that the reason why she applied for voluntary military service was to serve her country and to show that she can be an exemplary and honourable soldier. She applied as soon as she finished high school of electrical engineering. Her family, friends and relatives support her in reaching her goal.
— Camp was the biggest challenge for me because we were staying in an open field, the weather was not ideal, I was physically and mentally exhausted, but my mental strength and determination to succeed helped me go through that tough training part. When we returned from the camp, it was only then that I realized how much I could actually achieve and how proud I was of myself for completing that training segment successfully. Team work is very important in the military and we all help each other, says Private Kovačević.
The good results achieved by the March class indicate that they are ready to continue their training at specialized training centres, where they will learn how to use branch/service – specific combat assets and military equipment until the end of their military service. This skills assessment marked the ending of the first phase of their individual basic training, and once they complete their specialized training phase, they will be assigned to SAF units, where their second training period will be conducted.Soldiers interested in becoming professional service members can apply now, so that they can complete the admission procedure on time and become eligible to join the ranks of professional SAF members as soon as they complete their military service.
