New cadets commissioned as officers of Serbian Armed Forces

The President of the Republic and Supreme Commander of the Serbian Armed Forces, Aleksandar Vučić, alongside Minister of Defence Bratislav Gašić and Chief of the Serbian Armed Forces General Staff General Milan Mojsilović, attended today the commissioning ceremony in front of the National Assembly building for 177 cadets of the Military Academy and the Medical Faculty of the Military Medical Academy, who were commissioned as second lieutenants.



President of the National Assembly Ana Brnabić, Prime Minister Miloš Vučević and government ministers attended the ceremony.



Addressing the young officers, President Vučić said that as of today, they “are the first line of our country’s defence”.  He pointed out that they must always be with their people and with their armed forces and that the “period ahead of us is not easy”.



- We have always faced challenges, those who would like to tear off parts of our territory, the world’s strongest ones who would rarely understand our needs, our wishes, our Constitution or our homeland. But, regardless of everything, we have managed to preserve peace, we have managed to defend our vital, state, national interest, but also to improve our soldiers’ material well-being. Today, our service members live much better than 10 years ago and will live even better in the future. In a month or so, we will increase your salaries, making sure that you earn a decent living again, so that you can provide a safe life for your families. But don't think for a moment that your duty and your responsibilities will be small - stressed President Vučić.



He asked the new young officers not to let days pass without changing anything and to show responsibility, seriousness and dedication to work, in addition to courage, which is characteristic of them. According to him, we live in a world where values are insisted upon, but in reality, they have never been cherished less, but also in a world where everyone only looks out for their own interests feeling no desire to make compromises.



- In such circumstances, our armed forces must grow increasingly strong and powerful. I would like to inform you that as Supreme Commander and President of the Republic, I have granted my approval for the introduction of mandatory military service for a duration of 75 days. I want to believe that the Serbian Government will adopt that decision. I am confident that you understand that we really need a strong military, that we will have to buy and make much more weapons. We do not want to attack anyone, nor will we do so, but we want to deter those who are threatening us every day, and you are the bulwark, our major deterrent guaranteeing our safety - said President Vučić and thanked the young second lieutenants for loving their country.



At the beginning of the ceremony, the Commandant of the Military Academy, Colonel Prof. Srđan Blagojević, delivered the report to the President of the Republic, and after reading the Decree, President Vučić presented the best officer cadets with engraved officers’ sabres.



Colonel Blagojević said that the Military Academy “has fulfilled its honourable task again this year”, stressing that the “new officers are characterized by expertise, courage and loyalty to their armed forces and the country”.



- Their muscles are powerful, their will is strong, and their step is steady. The Military Academy is the guarantor of their professional competence - said the Commandant of the Military Academy.
 
A total of 159 cadets of the Military Academy’s 144th and 145th classes have graduated from the Military Academy, including 3 cadets from the Armed Forces of Bosnia and Herzegovina and 2 cadets from the Ministry of the Interior of Republika Srpska. Also, 23 young men and women (10th class) have graduated from the Medical Faculty, Military Medical Academy. A total of 177 cadets of the Military Academy and the Medical Faculty of the Military Medical Academy have been commissioned as second lieutenants.



The Rector of the Defence University, Brig. Gen. Prof. Boban Đorović, congratulated the young second lieutenants of the Serbian Armed Forces on completing their studies and joining the officer profession. He said that “a professional officer is primarily made up of professional knowledge, officer ethics and a sense of belonging to the officer profession”.
 
- You are now at the beginning of your professional development in everything else except in officer ethics, which remains unchanged for all of us. By following the path of virtue, the officer establishes authority, and one of the meanings of authority is elevation, the officer elevates himself and others through his virtues, he elevates all his co-workers, increasing their capability to carry out the tasks of the unit. As for knowledge, you have acquired so much of it that you can proudly say that you are professional officers - said General Đorović, adding that “knowledge gives courage and enemies are defeated by knowledge”.



The best cadets of the Military Academy are: Lazar Tadić, ranked first among Army cadets, Sara Nikolić, ranked first among Air Force and Air Defence cadets, and Nikola Vasić, ranked first in the services. The best cadet of the Medical Faculty, Military Medical Academy, is Aleksandra Stajić.
 
Speaking on behalf of the cadets commissioned today, Second Lieutenant Nikola Vasić said that they “came to the Military Academy from different parts of the homeland, united in the pride they feel when the Serbian tricolour is waving and when they hear the verses of the national anthem”.



- Training, exams, those beautiful and less beautiful moments have taught us that what makes us human are not successes, but the effort behind them and the strength to stand up after we fall down. In such moments, having a true friend may be crucial. That is why the sabre is the greatest recognition and source of pride for every officer, acknowledgment for the support you all managed to provide us with over the past years that have not been easy. This body of new officers, whose imperative is togetherness, have earned it, but due credit should also be given to you, dear friends, brothers, sisters and parents, who have helped us earn it - stressed Second Lieutenant Vasić.

The parade performed by the young newly commissioned officers and cadets of the Defence University was accompanied by a MiG-29 flypast, sending a congratulations message to the new officers.



- Congratulations to our youngest colleagues on their commission as second lieutenants. Serve your people honourably and be the pride of your homeland. Long live Serbia! - said the pilot, Captain 1st Class Siniša Anakijev, to the new second lieutenants.
 
The ceremony also included the performances of the “Stanislav Binički” Artistic Ensemble of the Ministry of Defence and the Guard Orchestra.



The commissioning ceremony was also attended by representatives of the diplomatic corps, delegations of the armed forces of friendly and partner countries and religious communities, families and friends of the newly commissioned officers and numerous citizens.

This time too, family members, relatives and friends of the youngest officers of the Serbian Armed Forces were waiting impatiently for the moment when the new officers’ hats would fly into the air.

Vladica Đorđević has come from Niš to support his son today as he is being commissioned as second lieutenant.



- I have come here with my wife and other family members to attend this ceremony, where our son, who has graduated from the Medical Faculty of the Military Medical Academy, will be promoted to the rank of second lieutenant. This is a special day for young cadets who are becoming officers today, for their parents, for their families, but also for our country, because this is what makes a country strong and powerful. Of course we are all proud today - said Vladica.  

Zoran Đukić is a proud grandfather who has come from Bajina Bašta to support his granddaughter.



- I have come to support my granddaughter Milica. This kind of ceremony is rarely seen anywhere else, but Serbia fosters the tradition. I was a soldier, too, so I know what it means. You might only get one chance in your entire lifetime to support someone like this - said Đukić.

Mina Polimac from Gornji Milanovac is proud of her boyfriend who is becoming an officer today.

- I am here to support my boyfriend Lazar Simić who is becoming an officer today. I'm so proud I'm going to start crying. We have been together for a long time and we have been there for each other and I am very glad to see him standing here now, having fulfilled his dreams - says Mina, showing her emotions openly.