01.02.2010. 15.20
LTG Miletic for Odbrana magazine
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Army must go forward
When we talk of Serbia joining NATO, the job of SAF CHOD is not to speculate about some things appearing in the public, or to comment on the decisions approved by the National Assembly. Our general responsibility, mine foremost, is to build operational capabilities in line with the decisions of the state’s top, and so far we have managed to complete this task successfully, as SAF CHOD LTG Miloje Miletic stated in an interview to Odbrana magazine.
 When he took over the post in February last year, the duty of SAF CHOD said that 2009 would be the year of consolidating the state in the army and maintaining the level of development already reached. The priorities were training, preparations for participation in UN peace missions, drafting and adopting the doctrinaire regulations, as well as full professionalization and organizational upgrading of commands, units and institutions of our army. We asked General Miletic if he had fulfilled last year’s plans.
In an economically turbulent year behind us, projecting any form of greater goal would not be taken seriously in the least. If we were to take a look at the analyses of world military critics, we can say that the world’s military powers have taken the full toll of the economic crisis. This is why we focused on stabilizing the current state and on maintaining our accomplishments in transforming the system. All this is done in order to maintain the operational and functional capabilities in commands and units.
The task and skill of a soldier is to be realistic in his expectations. The list of focal tasks we have defined for 2009 was nothing else than a part of a dynamic plan for the professionalization of our army.
Last year was a breaking point in realization of the aforementioned tasks, and since we ended a line of activities pertaining to organizational changes after adopting the new organization, there have been changes which should raise the quality of SAF capabilities, and novelties in the area of science, preparations for peacekeeping missions, and professionalization.
What are the benefits of the new model of training, as the last period saw significant improvements in the area of training management?
Professionalization demands a completely new approach to training. Instead of training in cycles we have developed a new model of training aimed at reaching high individual standards of training and of capability of our units to perform assigned missions and tasks. The new training system is decentralized enabling and encouraging commanders’ initiative, giving them larger freedom in creating capabilities as well as tasks and creating a higher level of responsibility.
Individual training is separated from the collective training.
Individual training has certain standards that an individual must meet, while collective training entails systematic approach to the training of units in all segments starting from assessment to evaluation of training level for a concretely assigned mission. This would make training more effective, efficient and economical. Furthermore, it represents a continuous, advanced and challenging process.
So far we have had one integrated approach to training which was used on all soldiers, implemented from one generation to another. Today all units have a defined tasks and missions, so the commander in charge is tasked with enabling the performing of tasks. Commanders are at liberty to create and plan training, as well as to intensify training if it is needed. Decentralization facilitates planning, and raises responsibility.
How far have we come in the process of professionalization? What are our options in the conditions in reduced budget?
The process of professionalization is one of our main goals. We started this process a few years ago, and we intensified it during 2009. Our goal is to complete the process during 2011 and to man the units with professional soldiers. Professionalization means a number of activities, such as upgrading the system of training, enabling units and men to do their job professionally. This is why we hope to complete this in 2011, however this is a continuing process. This means that these activities will continue even after the projected period.
You are currently admitting 4500 professional soldiers. What is slowing down their admission?
We have had no serious problems which burden the admission of professional soldiers, as the complete process is based upon a public advert.
This task should not be any faster. There are certain procedures which need to be abided by. It is difficult to select the best candidates out of so many applicants. Before signing their first professional contract, they will be trained for several weeks which represents additional selection criteria in order to get the best candidates for the posts.
Will there be any conscripts early next year?
Even though we propose to finish professionalization by 2011, I am of the opinion that we will still have a number of conscripts, as the army has the need for them. They are a category which will provide us with recruits.
We did not have the categories of active and passive reserve. Does this mean complete transformation of the army?
The law envisions active reserve as this part of reserve is under contract. Good reserve means that we can reduce the number o regular professional army in the peace time without affecting its capabilities. Members of active reserve are trained and prepared and are on their posts daily, but are deployed when needed.
Of course, the state must motivate people to join active reserve. There are various examples how to achieve this-scholarships, social compensations, and in this respect we still have a long way to go.
Passive reserve, on the other hand, is the form of reserve we have known until now. As the security situation does not require it, and since we are on a limited budget, there will be no massive calling of reservists to training.
Even though this year’s budget does not include technical development, the army still plans to procure equipment and to get modern weapons. What are the priorities, and what goals must be forsake regardless of mid-term development plans by 2015. What equipment and systems do we need? Do we need four-wheelers, or a multi-purpose fighter plane?
If we do not have enough resources for a certain area, then we will redirect the funds to another field where we need new equipment. We are aware that this might last for ever, but we hope that the crisis won’t last long.
We must not stop, the army must go forward. Our main priority is a four-wheeled armored car. When it comes to the protection of forces, then the main focus is on the general and specific protection equipment.During the bombardment in 1999, we have suffered great losses in air force, and we are currently working on procuring a multi purpose fighter plane. The overhauling and modernization of existing air crafts will be our priority.
What about the NCO corps?
– No process in the military is complete, as these are ongoing processes, since they are subject to change, this project is based on the tradition of NCO corps, and the experiences of modern armies. We managed to enable and train 220 NCOs seventy of whom are abroad. We are expecting the results. The main goal is to provide NCos with the posts they deserve, especially in domain of training and command.
When can we expect the doctrines to be finalized ?
– The deadline for drafting the Army doctrine is three months after adopting the Defense Strategy and the National Security Strategy. The te4ams of SAF GS worked on these documents day and night, where al regulations have been completely harmonized. We submitted the Army doctrine on 26 January to be approved by the President of the Republic.
Adopting this doctrine of the highest hierarchical order is a precondition for drafting functional doctrines. These are no separate processes but are rather complementary processes. By developing an army doctrine, we set the groundwork for drafting functional doctrines as well. This is why I expect these functional doctrines right after the Army doctrine comes into force. This is how we propose to round up the strategic-doctrinaire regulations, which defines organization, planning and deployment of our army.
Early January You visited the troops in GSZ and pointed out that the situation in this area was stable yet delicate. What does that really mean?
– The self-declaration of Kosovo independence did not by any means result in the downsizing of troops in the south of Central Serbia or in our southern territory. Security institutions based on paramilitary forces can in no way guarantee peace and stability in this area. We are witness to occasional breaches of the administrative line, which is a consequence of the acts of certain criminal groups, illegal trade and contraband, illegal limber cutting and of armed provocations from Kosovo.
– At the same time, let me remind you that last year in July we had two terrorist attacks in Presevo and Lucani. Early 2010 there was a minor incident in the village of Rasevac, in the municipality of Kursumlija, which disturbed the local community. Where we have such occurrences as illegal trade, contraband, and terrorism we can not say that this area is stable. This is why I refer to this situation as delicate.
How did cooperation with KFOR, marked by professionalism and mutual trust, affect this situation?
– KFOR was a reliable partner during last year in such tasks as securing Kosovo and GSZ.
On several occasions there was talk of canceling GSZ …
– That is a political question that has to be solved. We as military men can only give our expert opinion, yet I reiterate that this is a question of politics.
– Circumstances in the past ten years have greatly changed: Serbia joined PfP, signed a security agreement, and established a relation of trust with KFOR. However, any limitation of forces in GSZ and of other security forces in Serbia is not justified.
Can the Serbian Armed Forces be an exporter of security? What is its relation to neighbours and is SAF’s participation in peacekeeping missions a sort of a Serbian brand?
– It is the Republic of Serbia and not SAF which is the exporter of security. Let me remind you that the international deployment of our forces is regulated by the Law on Deployment of SAF and of other Serbian forces in multinational; operations beyond Serbian borders. We have to be a reliable partner-to maintain security in our own territory and to prevent spreading security risks beyond the borders of our country. Our next step is to enable our army to participate in providing regional and global security, by reaching necessary operational capabilities to perform both tasks, SAF will contribute to building security capacities and the credibility of our country in the region and beyond.
The SAF are ready to increase its share in peace missions based on the decisions of the National Assembly in 2010. We plan to take part in UN missions, as SAF have the capacity, knowledge and skills for this.
Intensive international cooperation, PfP tasks, joint exercises with the members of foreign armies, all marked last year. You participated in the Balkan CHODs conference… What is the common denominator for all these activities?
– Our ultimate goal is to boost our security and partner capacity, the credibility of our country by improving military power. By building trust, exchanging experiences, joint training, adopting individual and collective standards of the military profession are just some of the instruments we need to reach the set goals. These are the fields of cooperation with our foreign partners.
You talks of foreign partners, yet the Parliament adopted the Resolution on military neutrality…. And there is talk of joining NATO in the public. What does a soldier say to this?
– My job as SAF CHOD is not to speculate or to comment the decisions adopted by the parliament. Our main priority is to build an army in line with the state top’s decisions and demands, and so far we have successfully completed this taks. Furthermore, our army is organized in such a way that it can be quite flexible in adjusting to any decision of competent state institutions.
You recently that SAF goal is to develop military standards. Are these the standards of the Alliance at the moment?
– Our goal is not to enable men according to standards but to train them in order to reach those standards which are the highest in our profession. A Serbian officer has to be ready to work in a modern staff surroundings, regardless of its national or multinational character. There are guidelines many countries abide by, but with their own characteristic organization and training it conducts and which is believed to yield the best results.
In view of the achievements in the reforms of the defense system so far, how would you rate its operational capability so far?
– At this moment the operational capabilities are at a level which enables successful performing of tasks. The Serbian army has carried out al its assigned tasks in the past year.
The Day of SAF is approaching fast, which is an excellent opportunity for promotions and various changes in the personnel structure… Do you expect certain personnel changes?
– Yes, I do. One Lieutenant in the Army Third Brigade will become company commander.
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