Ceremonial awarding of diplomas to the cadets of the Military Academy and the Faculty of Medicine of the Academy of Medical Sciences

A ceremony was held today to mark the completion of integrated and undergraduate studies for cadets of the 144th and 145th classes of the Military Academy and the 10th class of the Military Medical Academy’s Medical Faculty, who were awarded diplomas and best student awards.



Congratulating officer cadets on the first successful step in their career paths, Chief of the Serbian Armed Forces General Staff, General Milan Mojsilović, told the young future officers of the Serbian Armed Forces that the upcoming commissioning ceremony best symbolizes the unity of our people and the military.

- Our people are accustomed to seeking support from their military in times of challenge and crisis, all eyes are on the soldier, and his posture gives the people the necessary strength to persevere in every struggle. The reputation of the military was built by a good many generations before us, and it is our duty to protect, preserve and build up the trust placed in us. Members of the Serbian Armed Forces, who are a pillar of societal security, are obliged to respond to every challenge, regardless of the risk. The Serbian Armed Forces have strength, capability, the best organization, and brave and courageous personnel who are willing to exert themselves for a higher cause - said General Mojsilović, emphasizing that in the coming days we will see what the Serbian Armed Forces represent today - a modern, organized and reliable military force.



He pointed to the current global geopolitical situation, saying that there were many challenges that future officers must respond to in an effort to defend their homeland and protect their people.

- The times we live in will demand from you courage, firmness, loyalty, patriotism and steadfastness in protecting the national interests and goals of our homeland, the same things that were demanded from me in 1991. Preserving the security of the Republic of Serbia in the current geopolitical environment is not and will not be easy, so please, keep your heads up and move forward proudly, never give up, never surrender - said General Mojsilović.
 
Top of the class officer cadets of the Military Academy are – Lazar Tadić (Army), Sara Nikolić, (Air Force and Air Defence), and Nikola Vasić (Services), whereas Aleksandra Stajić is top of the class cadet of the Medical Faculty, Military Medical Academy.



At today's ceremony, the Chief of the General Staff presented the best undergraduate thesis awards to officer cadets. Awards were given to officer cadet Marija Matović for the best thesis in social sciences and humanities, Borko Đaković for his thesis in engineering, natural and mathematical sciences, and Tamara Stanić, officer cadet of the MMA’s Medical Faculty.
 
The Commandant of the Military Academy, Colonel Assoc. Prof. Srđan Blagojević, Ph.D., presented diplomas to the officer cadets of the Military Academy, and the Dean of the Medical Faculty (MMA), Prof. Sonja Marjanović, presented diplomas to the officer cadets of the Military Medical Academy’s Medical Faculty.



Deputy Air Force and Anti-Air Defence Commander, Major General Brane Krnjajić, presented pilot wings to the aviation officer cadets of the 144th class.
 
The “Professor Stevan Šefer Award”, which is traditionally given to top of the class cadet of the MMA’s Medical Faculty, was presented by Slobodanka Rakić Šefer to Aleksandra Stajić, the best cadet of the 10th class.

The “Second Lieutenant Borko Nikitović Award”, given by a foundation of the same name to top of the class infantry cadet of the Military Academy, was presented this year by Zora Nikitović, the mother of the fallen second lieutenant of the Guard, to officer cadet Lazar Tadić, the best cadet of the Infantry study programme. Zora Nikitović delivered an emotional speech at the ceremony, congratulating the officer cadets on completing a new chapter in their lives and wishing them success in their future careers.



The diploma awarding ceremony was also attended by the Rector of the Defence University, Brigadier General Prof. Boban Đorović, members of the Defence University, leaders, professors and cadets of the Military Academy.