Soldiers of “September 2022” Intake Swear Oath

Today, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence Nebojša Stefanović PhD attended oath taking ceremony held in the barracks “Vojvoda Petar Bojović” in Leskovac for the soldiers serving voluntary military service in the class “September 2022”. Congratulating them on the oath taken, Minister Stefanović thanked them for having decided to accept the challenge, in the sea of negotiable and easy paths that the present times bring, and to stand in the ranks in which famous Petar Bojović stood before them, whose name the barracks in Leskovac bear. He said: “You have chosen to show in practice your love for our only fatherland - to come here and serve your Serbia.
 

Minister Stefanović underlined that his heart was full, because of the knowledge that this class, not only in Leskovac, but in other centres where the military oath was being taken, was the most numerous in last five, six years.
 

- The clothes don’t make a man, nor will they ever make a man, unless they are the military uniform, I would dare say, because what you wear is not a piece of cloth that you put on, but a true personification of the centuries of Serbian history of our military, and generations of our heroes who deserved to wear it. The spirit of our ancestors speaks from that uniform, it exudes patriotism provoking the feeling of patriotism and respect in all who just pass by it - Stefanović said.

He told the soldiers that on that day, they were at the same time those who reflect the history of our people, and the future of our country.

- Today, you have given your word, a solemn and binding one. You swore that you will protect and defend every feet of our beloved Serbia, that you will fight for it with all your hearts and knowledge, and that you will be there for your people wherever it is needed. And for that, Serbia is truly grateful to you. In the sea of negotiable and easy paths that the present times bring, you have decided to accept the challenge and stand in the ranks in which famous Petar Bojović stood before them, whose name the barracks in Leskovac bear. You have chosen to show in practice your love for our only fatherland - to come here and serve your Serbia – said the minister.
 

Stefanović stressed that their ranks clearly shows that even in the present, Serbia is the country of Stepa Stepanović, Živojin Mišić, Petar Bojović and all Serbian warriors who weaved their lives in its building.
 

- Their names are spoken all around the world with pride and respect, and their battles were hard, and I would say, superhuman. Those were exactly the battles that our ancestors had to fight to bring about our freedom and enable us to fight our battles today with our work, knowledge and wisdom. That is why those battles oblige us to preserve so hardly won independence, autonomy and above all the peace painstakingly gained throughout the history. They oblige each of us to think every day about what we can do for our fatherland and contribute to its future and development. That is why my heart is full, because of the knowledge that this class, not only here in Leskovac, but in other centres where the military oath is being taken, is the most numerous in last five, six years – said the minister.
 

According to him, the soldiers in that line are the confirmation that we are strengthening our armed forces in a right way, that we invest in those values that are important to the young and all other in Serbia, and that, today, our armed forces are becoming the top ranking force in our region making progress day after day.

- I wish to underline yet again, something that we say quite often, that we are not strengthening our armed forces to threaten anyone, we are strengthening our armed forces to protect our country, to send a strong message to anyone who does as much as think of threatening it, that Serbia is not a country that will allow anyone to jeopardise the peaceful sleep of its citizens. We do not wish to go to some wars, nor do we have our children to spare, nor will we ever do, but that is why we will always send such message to those wishing to threaten our country, the strengthening of our armed forces means stability, peace and the guarantee of a strong and tough Serbia - Stefanović said.
 

Addressing the parents, friends and families of the young soldiers, the minister thanked them for having raised such young men and women who had decided to come and serve their country.

- I wish to tell you, and that is something that every superior officer in this line knows, and in the entire armed forces, that we will take care of these young people as if they were our own children. Each of us can truly feel it and knows it, and we all appreciate that they have come to serve their country though they did not need to. In following several months, they will acquire knowledge and skills that only military can provide, but I believe, and I know it from my personal experience, that they will gain friends and people who will be close to them in many years to come after the completed military service - Stefanović said.

He also thanked the young who intend to continue building their career in the armed forces following the completion of their military service.

- Welcome to our ranks, and I wish to tell you that if you decide to become professional soldiers after this, you will have an opportunity to witness our armed forces getting stronger each day, procuring new equipment and materiel and investing in its members. I would also like to thank President Vučić and all those people who worked so that we can say that we will increase salaries for soldiers by 25% next year, and that the Serbian Armed Forces are the place for everyone who thinks about their career and the strength and future of Serbia. Long live the Serbian Armed Forces! Long live Serbia! - Minister Stefanović concluded his today’s address.
 

In the continuation of the ceremony in the barracks in Leskovac, the minister of defence attended signing of text of the ceremonial oath, which was an opportunity for him to talk to the soldiers and their families. The ceremony director was Commander of the Third Training Centre Colonel Zoran Cvetković.
 

Barracks in Sombor and Valjevo also held oath taking ceremonies today, where the oaths were sworn by soldiers serving voluntary military service of the class “September 2022” and the cadets of 147th Class of the Military Academy and 14th Class of the Medical Faculty of the Military Medical Academy, students of 50th Class of the Military Vocational High School “1300 Corporals”, attenders of the Reserve Officers Course of “September 2022” Class, and members of the reserve older than 30 years of age, who have not served the military service under arms.

Apart from the minister, today’s ceremony held in Leskovac was attended by Chief of Staff of the Training Command Brigadier General Muharem Fazlić, Chief of Private Office of the Minister of Defence Colonel Stevan Kotarlić, representatives of local-selfgovernment, Ministry of the Interior, Serbian Orthodox Church, and families and friends of the young who took their military oath.