27.08.2025.

Commissioning ceremony held for March 2025 reserve officer candidates

A ceremony marking the completion of military training for the March 2025 class of reserve officer candidates and their commissioning as reserve second lieutenants was held today at the General Jovan Mišković Barracks in Banjica.

After the decree by the President of the Republic and Supreme Commander of the Serbian Armed Forces, Aleksandar Vučić, was read, officially commissioning the reserve officer candidates as reserve second lieutenants, Acting Assistant Minister of Defence for Human Resources Siniša Radović, presented awards to the top- ranked graduates.

Addressing the assembly, Assistant Minister Radović expressed his pride at standing before a formation of young men and women who have “dedicated their knowledge, education, skills, and youth to the service of their homeland and people”.

- Young men and women, today you have proven through your life choices that serving your people is both a duty and an obligation, one that comes from an inner imperative, personal discipline and upbringing, and a deeply rooted sense of responsibility toward your people and country – Radović said, adding that the newly commissioned second lieutenants have put on their uniforms driven by much more profound and meaningful moral obligations.

He thanked the parents and families of the young second lieutenants for raising their children with a strong sense of patriotism and preparing them to join the military.

- The Military Academy has once again demonstrated its ability to take young people who, just six months ago, walked through its door with no military experience and turn them into mature, skilled and capable officers for whom no challenge or uncertainty will stand in the way – said the Assistant Minister, confident that this higher education institution has fulfilled its core mission in line with its legacy and tradition “with a sense of parental responsibility, dedication, and professionalism.”

At today’s ceremony, candidates were commissioned as reserve second lieutenants in the Infantry Branch, Telecommunications Service, and Medical Service. The first-ranked graduate is Mihailo Draganjac from the 23rd Medical Service class, with a final average grade of 9.72. The second-ranked graduate is Sanja Varsaković, also from the 23rd Medical Service class, with a final average grade of 9.67. Third in the class is Đorđe Janković from the 144th Infantry class, also with an average grade of 9.67.

The top-ranked graduate of the March 2025 class, Mihailo Draganjac, expressed immense pride at standing before his fellow classmates today, stating that this is not only his success, but also a deeply personal moment, one driven by his desire to continue the path begun by his father, Colonel Prof. Miroslav Draganjac.

- I draw additional strength and inspiration from the example of my great-grandfather, who fought on the Thessaloniki front, giving everything he had for freedom. His sacrifice and love for the homeland are a constant reminder that the fight for justice and a better future is worth it, no matter the cost – said Draganjac. He further emphasized that becoming a reserve officer of the Serbian Armed Forces is not only about gaining knowledge and discipline, but also about building lifelong friendships.

He also thanked the senior officers of the Military Academy who guided his class through the challenges of reserve officer training and stood by and supported them throughout that journey.

The commissioning ceremony for the March 2025 class of reserve officer candidates was attended by the Acting Secretary of the Ministry of Defence, Nebojša Nikolić, Rector of the Defence University, Brigadier General Prof. Boban Đorović, Head of the Human Resources Department, Brigadier General Slađan Hristov, Head of the Training and Doctrine Department, Brigadier General Siniša Stašević, members of the Ministry of Defence and the Serbian Armed Forces, along with families and friends of the newly commissioned reserve second lieutenants.