Diploma awarding ceremony for Military Academy cadets

A ceremony was held today to mark the completion of integrated and undergraduate studies for cadets of the 143rd and 144th classes of the Military Academy, who were awarded diplomas and best student awards.



Congratulating the future commissioned officers of the Serbian Armed Forces on their success, Deputy Chief of the Serbian Armed Forces General Staff, Lieutenant General Želimir Glišović, presented commendations to the best cadets in their branch or service, and pointed out that officer training has a long tradition in Serbia.

- You yourselves know how much knowledge, hard work and sacrifice it takes to successfully complete field training and perform all the planned firing practices, to pass the prelims and exams, in order to meet both academic standards and military requirements. You have successfully finished the Academy and thus paved your way for becoming military officers. This ceremony does not end your education and training - said Lieutenant General Glišović and urged cadets to continue to develop their versatility and expand their professional knowledge and public awareness.
 
He expressed hope that the future second lieutenants will be even more successful in their professional careers than they were during their studies.



- In order to achieve this, you must make bold and courageous decisions. I have no doubt that you will be successful, and at the present time, Serbia needs courageous, persistent and hardworking young people. Be proud, because you are walking the path of our glorious ancestors, because you have chosen an honourable and noble military profession. Be proud of the success you have achieved, but also be aware of the responsibility that awaits you in your units. Dear cadets, make every effort to justify the trust that our dear homeland has placed in you - said Lieutenant General Glišović and congratulated the future officers on completing their education at the Military Academy.

The best cadets in their arms of services are: Army cadets - Đorđe Pešić (GPA 9.62), Aleksa Radović (GPA 9.21) and Nikola Urošević (GPA 9.16), and Air Force and Air Defence cadets - Viktor Teodosić (GPA 8.85), Andrija Tepić (GPA 8.56) and Nataša Marković (GPA 8.05). The best cadets in their services are: the first-ranked Milica Marinković (GPA 9.48), second-ranked Nikola Ćitić (GPA 9.38) and the third-ranked Stefan Ivanović (GPA 9.33).

The Rector of the Defence University, Brigadier General Prof. Boban Đorović, PhD, presented awards to the cadets who have scored the highest GPAs in their study programs: Đorđe Pešić (Defence Management, GPA 9.62), Andrija Tepić (Air Defence, GPA 8.56), Milica Marinković (Military Electronic Engineering, GPA 9.48), Anja Stojmenović (Military Mechanical Engineering, GPA 9.13), Veljko Milićević (Defence Logistics, GPA 8.96) and Viktor Teodosić (Military Aviation, GPA 8.85).



The Commandant and associate professor of the Military Academy, Colonel Srđan Blagojević, PhD, presented the best undergraduate dissertation awards. Duško Sukura’s paper (Defence Management Study Program) was declared the best undergraduate dissertation in the field of social sciences and humanities, and the best paper in the field of technology and engineering sciences and mathematics is Viktor Teodosić’s paper (Military Aviation Study Program).

Addressing the graduates, Colonel Blagojević referred to their dynamic four-year period at the Military Academy, during which numerous changes took place in the military education system, including the Military Academy.

- Over the past four-year period, looking attentively at our armed forces, we have striven to keep up with its progress, to facilitate its development. We have cultivated both academic achievement and military virtues that are our honour and pride, but we have been particularly proud of what makes us a unique higher education institution in Serbia, which is our inner, military life, which includes indispensable military education and discipline, as well as physical and moral fitness that are necessary for the development of excellent, young officers - said Colonel Blagojević.



He said that this generation of cadets will be remembered as a strong team that quickly adapted to the circumstances.
 
 - The Military Academy will remember you as versatile young people, determined and full of enthusiasm, firmly committed to becoming officers of the Serbian Armed Forces. I hope you will justify the trust of your families who have supported your decision to spend your life in uniform, as well as the trust placed in you by the Military Academy, which as of today is a firm guarantor of your officer competencies. Fly to your units with a light heart, strong will and a steady step. Continue to learn, to develop professionally as officers that our armed forces and country can count on at any time - said Colonel Blagojević.



Head of the Office of the Dean and associate professor at the Military Academy, Colonel Dragan Trifković, presented an award to the best foreign cadet, Goran Volaš (Defence Management Study Program, GPA 8.76).

“Second Lieutenant Borko Nikitović” Fund Award was traditionally presented this year, too. The best Infantry cadet, Đorđe Pešić (GPA 9.62), was presented with the award by Zora Nikitović, the mother of a fallen lieutenant of the Yugoslav People’s Army.

She wished the cadets good luck in their new life that will involve taking care of others.



- Do your best to love life, to love the people around you, to start a family and to love and raise your children the way your parents raised you. Look up to our ancestors. Serbia is full of wonderful people who have done a lot for our country, from whose example you can learn to discern the difference between good and evil. When you fall, get up, because it is a sin not to get up, it isn’t a sin to fall. Acquire knowledge and fight for your country with knowledge, skill and truth - said Zora Nikitović.
 
The ceremony was also attended by Air Force and Air Defence Commander, Lieutenant General Duško Žarković, Bishop Dositej of Lipjan and the Military, members of the University of Defence, officers, professors and cadets of the Military Academy.