Minister Stefanović attends Military Academy change of command ceremony

Today, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence Nebojša Stefanović, PhD attended the change of command ceremony held in the Military Academy’s “General Jovan Mišković” barracks in Banjica, where the outgoing acting Commandant of the Military Academy Colonel Aca Ranđelović, Assoc. Prof, relinquished duties as the Commandant of the Military Academy to Colonel Srđan Blagojević, PhD.
 
According to Minister Stefanović, this is a special day for the entire Ministry of Defence.



- Today, we are witnessing the change of command, which is much more than a mere formality. Modern times indicate that everything we know about warfare, military skills and the military in general is changing and that new knowledge, new skills and science will be the best shield and sword in the coming period - the Minister pointed out.
 
He thanked Colonel Aca Ranđelović for his hard work while performing duties as the Commandant of the Military Academy, emphasizing that he took care of every cadet, of the entire Academy and made sure that the teaching process went smoothly.  

- I would also like to congratulate the new Commandant of the Military Academy, Colonel Srđan Blagojević, on this, I would say, very challenging role. Why challenging? Because I expect a lot from him. I expect him to be a leader, but also to learn from others, to know how to listen and hear, not to think that the knowledge he has acquired so far is the only important and necessary knowledge, but also to have enough authority to make sure that everything that the Military Academy does, is done in the best possible way. I expect him to make all the provisions, to make sure that lecture halls and dormitories are warm, that new knowledge and skills are obtained here, that the Academy keeps up with the times and does not live the life of 30 or 40 years ago, but the life of the future, because it is very important for our armed forces. But I also expect him to respect the legacy of the generations who graduated from this Academy - Stefanović emphasized.
 
He noted that the great Jovan Mišković was a lecturer to Živojin Mišić, Radomir Putnik, Petar Bojović and Stepa Stepanović at the Military Academy, and that he contributed enormously to the progress and modernization of the Serbian Armed Forces.



- We must be the ones who lead forward, who arm our armed forces with new knowledge and skills. Only in this way will our armed forces be efficient and ready to defend the homeland at all times. We must show how much the uniform you wear and the national symbols of Serbia mean to the Serbian people and to you personally - the Minister said.

Stefanović thanked the Military Academy professors for their great work.
 
- Over the past period, you have shown that even in difficult times, impressive results can be achieved. This year, we have achieved the highest enrolment in the last seven years, 221 male and female cadets, which also shows that your work has yielded results, that the armed forces have excellent reputation among our people, but also that new battles await you. I expect you to achieve great results, with all the support from the state, led by President Vučić, who really helps us improve the financial position of every soldier, cadet, Reserve Officer Course student, officer, non-commissioned officer, all the people working for the Ministry of Defence and the Serbian Armed Forces, but also soldiers performing voluntary military service. With so much support, we have high expectations. We expect the education of our cadets to be at the highest possible level and when they finish their education and become officers in the Serbian Armed Forces units, we expect them to be armed with knowledge, so that they can hold their heads high, and so that the soldiers we entrusted to them know they have extraordinary commanding officers like Serbia has always had - the Minister said.
 
The Minister also thanked the Rector of the Defence University, Lieutenant General Goran Radovanović, for his exceptional leadership over the past years.



- It wasn't always easy. There were difficult times, there were problems, but who does not have problems? The good thing is that the management proved its worth in such times and that we managed to address those challenges and crises and come out stronger - said Stefanović.

He told the Military Academy cadets to love their homeland.

- Never forget that, because patriotism is a big word and it is not a mere phrase, but something you have to feel in your hearts. Colonels, take care of the Academy, improve it, be an example to future generations. Preserve the honour and reputation of the Military Academy that the Serbian people are so proud of. Long live the Serbian Armed Forces, long live Serbia - the Minister finished his address.

In his address, the Rector of the Defence University, Lieutenant General Goran Radovanović, Assoc.Prof, referred to the former Commandant of the Military Academy, Major General Bojan Zrnić, PhD, describing his work as an example of how high standards in military education can be achieved thanks to knowledge and self-sacrifice. General Radovanović also praised the work of Colonel Aca Ranđelović, who has performed duties as the Commandant of the Military Academy since August this year.

The Rector congratulated Colonel Srđan Blagojević on his appointment to the new, responsible role, emphasizing that it is a great honour, but also a great responsibility to be the Commandant of the Military Academy.



- The Military Academy is made up of all its members, and the individual contribution of each of you is visible and measurable. I demand and expect you to have such attitude towards tasks that will help the newly appointed Commandant of the Military Academy, Colonel Blagojević, focus on carrying out numerous responsibilities - Radovanović emphasized.
 
The outgoing Acting Commandant of the Military Academy, Colonel Aca Ranđelović, said he was glad that he was handing over his duties to one of his many students.

- It is an indescribable feeling to see a student surpass his teacher and take on a great and responsible role - Colonel Ranđelović said.

He thanked all his associates for their professional attitude and results over the past period, and wished the new commandant success in his new role.