Youngest second lieutenants of the Serbian Armed Forces: Being an officer is a great privilege, honour and challenge for a young person

By the decree of the President of the Republic and the Supreme Commander of the Serbian Armed Forces Aleksandar Vučić, 152 cadets of the 140th and 141st Classes of Military Academy and the MMA’s Medical Faculty were promoted to the first officer rank at today’s ceremony held in the “General Jovan Mišković” barracks.

For years, the promotion ceremony of the youngest second lieutenants was held in front of the House of the National Assembly, but given the epidemiological situation and following the preventative measures against the spread of the Covid-19 disease, the ceremony was held again after 14 years at the Military Academy, without families, friends and the public.

However, the new circumstances did not prevent this important ceremony from taking place, where the youngest officers of our armed forces were congratulated for their hard work during their studies and received wishes for them to continue serving their country and their people boldly, proudly and loyally.
 Traditionally, the ceremony ended by throwing service caps in the air and with cheerful smiles of the young officers who are looking forward to taking over their first officer duties.

Today, we talked to the best second lieutenants, who were presented with pistols with engraved dedications by President Vučić, about the studies at the Military Academy and the Medical Faculty of the Military Medical Academy, the greatest challenges and what they will always remember.

The top-ranking cadet of the Army branch, Infantry Second Lieutenant Ognjen Zlatić, had the honour of addressing the audience on behalf of his colleagues in front of the highest state and military dignitaries.

- The officer's profession is noble and honourable, and all those whose thoughts and hearts are filled with love for the fatherland should choose it – says Second Lieutenant Zlatić and adds that he is leaving school taking only the most beautiful memories, the necessary knowledge and experience that is invaluable wealth that cannot be bought. Thanking the professors and commanding officers who left an eternal stamp on their moral and educational progress, as well as families and friends, he pointed out that the end of schooling is at the same time a new beginning for all of them and that, as of today, they are going bravely towards new victories.

The top-ranking cadet of the Air Force and Air Defence branch is Second Lieutenant Anđela Bogojević who completed the Air Defence Artillery Missile Module, which had been her great wish since elementary school. 

- Being an officer is a great privilege, honour and challenge for a young person. I had the second best score at the entrance exam for enrolment in the Military Academy. It was a great success which made everyone in my family proud and happy. Support from family and friends is very important for all of us. The thing that is specific about the Military Academy is that we all live together here and that we encouraged each other throughout the schooling to move forward. We spent difficult and beautiful moments together. That is why this day is especially emotional and important for us, because it is the crown of our schooling – said Second Lieutenant Anđela Bogojević.

The top-ranking cadet of the Services of the Serbian Armed Forces, Second Lieutenant Mladen Živković completed the Air Defence program of study, Air Surveillance and Early Warning Module, and before that he had completed the Military Grammar School.

- I will remember the friendship most of all.  We are supportive of each other in the most difficult moments, and when life is easy, we all hang out and laugh. I am also glad that, wherever I go, I will have someone to stop by, because I know someone in every part of Serbia. Also, I will remember that we were provided with extracurricular activities at the Military Academy. I had the honour of representing the Military Academy at an athletics competition in Moscow. I visited the Military Academy in Athens, which was an exceptional experience – Second Lieutenant Živković recalls.

Second Lieutenant Živković recommends that younger generations enrol in secondary and higher military schools primarily because of a collective spirit that cannot be matched in other educational institutions and because of the honour that the officer’s profession and the uniform bring.

- We are preparing to always be ready for all the challenges, risks and threats to the Republic of Serbia. That will be our duty for the rest of our lives. We hope that there won’t be any, but if there are, we are ready – emphasizes Second Lieutenant Živković.

Second Lieutenant Hadži Miodrag Mladenović is the top-ranking cadet of the 6th Class of the MMA’s Medical Faculty.

- I decided to enrol in the Medical Faculty of the Military Medical Academy because it enabled me to combine two noble professions – medical and military. This faculty provided me with a broad theoretical and practical knowledge. Due to small groups, working conditions are much better and professors and assistants can dedicate themselves to each cadet, which is the practice at our faculty, and that each of us has a mentor who monitors us throughout the studies. Working conditions are extremely good. We have a great opportunity for practical work from the first years of studies - emphasizes Second Lieutenant Mladenović.
After almost a decade, there are two young ladies among the youngest pilots – Tijana Milenković and Lidija Petrović.

Second Lieutenant Tijana Milenković says that she will always remember the first time she had the opportunity to pilot a helicopter on her own.

- I first got on the helicopter on my own in my fourth year of studies, at the beginning of my training at the airport in Batajnica. The feeling was amazing. Before that, I did not have the opportunity to fly on this type of aircraft, because a helicopter is different from an airplane because of the speed and altitude at which it flies. It was an incredible experience to fly independently, and the first solo flight cannot be described - says Second Lieutenant Milenković and adds that everyone who wants to become a pilot first of all needs the desire and courage to enrol in the Military Academy.

Second Lieutenant Lidija Petrović is also a helicopter pilot.

- When I first boarded a helicopter, I just confired my love of flying. I found myself and I knew that this was what I wanted to do in life. The first flight was very important for me because it motivated me to work harder, to listen, to succeed and get a pilot badge and do this job. I see myself as a flight instructor in a few years’ time. I would like to give it a try, and in my future career I would like to fly new helicopters, such as H-145. That is something new in our country and I believe it is a great challenge to fly on a much better technology than I have had the opportunity so far – said Second Lieutenant Petrović.   

The cadets we spoke to, the officers of the Serbian Armed Forces, as of today, emphasize that you makes friends for life at the Military Academy and that the team plays an important role in the progress of an individual. No matter how hard something is, you have someone to share it with at the Military Academy, they say and point out with joy - good things outnumber the bad ones, and the best thing is when you get the first officer rank as a crown of your education.