01.09.2026.
Minister Gašić attends ceremony marking Personnel Service Day
Minister of Defence Bratislav Gašić attended a ceremony marking Personnel Service Day, held at the Central Military Club in Belgrade today.
Addressing those present, Minister Gašić emphasised that personnel have always been, and will remain, the foundation stone of the armed forces, with their determination and ability to execute missions serving as the ultimate measure of national defence.- Even rapid technological advancement, the introduction of autonomous weapons systems, and artificial intelligence cannot deny or diminish the truthfulness of the great poet Njegoš’s words: “It is not the polished weapon that wins the battle, but the heart of the hero.” Because, behind every combat system, no matter how advanced, lies a human mind, eye, and hand, lies a person defending what belongs to them, which is precisely what makes them invincible - the Minister of Defence stated.
He stressed that Personnel Service Day is an opportunity to remind ourselves that individuals - officers, non-commissioned officers, soldiers, and civilian personnel remain the primary focus and top priority for both the Ministry of Defence and the Serbian Armed Forces.
- The role of all of you whose professional holiday we mark today is important precisely because the thought-out, planned, and systematic management of human resources is the foundation of Serbia’s present and future defence. The mission of the Personnel Service extends far beyond administrative tasks. It represents, above all, expert, systemic support to command and control in the continuous process of selecting and recruiting new personnel, as well as to educating them and managing their career development - Minister Gašić highlighted.Emphasising that socio-economic changes demand constant adaptation and foresight, the Minister of Defence noted that the approach to recruiting every category of personnel is much different now compared to the past.
- The military profession, which is viewed as a secure and stable professional path, now faces fierce competition from attractive and well-paid jobs in the job market. The attitude of young people toward stability, security, and life imperatives has also changed as part of a global trend. Attracting capable individuals, and retaining them within a system or a company, is increasingly challenging. Ensuring their job satisfaction, rights, and entitlements is therefore an important component of our Personnel Service’s mission – Minister Gašić said.
For the armed forces to progress and develop, the Minister of Defence highlighted, personnel must be provided with opportunities to acquire new knowledge and competencies, enabling them to assume corresponding duties and positions.- Every decision made by commanding officers and department heads regarding education, professional development, and particularly career management, including reassignments, appointments, and promotions, is based on the thorough and systematic work of the Personnel Service. A decision or order never affects just a single individual. It carries broader context and significance. Every single promotion, training opportunity, and performance incentive awarded to an individual sends a message to all. Legality and professional objectivity must therefore never be compromised - Minister Gašić stated, adding that the Personnel Service’s ability to manage and update complex personnel records allows the leadership of the defence system and other units to perform their duties more efficiently.
Addressing the members of the Personnel Service directly, the Minister of Defence said that he expects them to continue to be guided by the highest professional and ethical standards in their future work.
- In this regard, make sure to be a reliable and proactive expert support at all levels of command and control. Analyse, anticipate, and plan the staffing of commands, units, and institutions, ensuring that the most capable candidates join our ranks and that the very best among them are given the opportunity to realise their full professional potential – Minister Gašić emphasised. He wished them continued success and urged them to carry out their duties professionally, responsibility, and justly, fully aware of their impact on the defence system’s most valuable asset - its people.Brigadier General Zlatko Mišić, Head of the Personnel Department within the Human Resources Sector, stated that every member of the Ministry of Defence and the Serbian Armed Forces passes through various HR processes throughout their career, from recruitment and admission into service, through career management and professional development, to completion of professional career.
- This is why Personnel Service’s operations require knowledge, expertise, and, above all, a professional approach to every individual. It is precisely here that I see the greatest responsibility for all of us executing personnel and training functions. The Personnel Department of the Human Resources Sector, supported by other units of the Ministry of Defence and the Serbian Armed Forces, has taken all necessary measures in the past period to achieve its designated targets - Brigadier General Mišić highlighted. He added that the Personnel Department will strive to serve as a reliable support and a place where issues vital to defence personnel are resolved in a professional and responsible manner.At the ceremony, Minister Gašić presented awards to the Personnel Service’s top-performing personnel in recognition of their outstanding accomplishments.
The Head of the Personnel Department, Brigadier General Mišić, presented a letter of appreciation to Milan Bosnić, Director of the National Employment Service of the Republic of Serbia, in recognition of successful cooperation and joint activities vital to the Ministry of Defence and the Serbian Armed Forces.The ceremony marking Personnel Service Day was attended by members of the Defence Minister’s and the Chief of the General Staff’s collegiums, alongside numerous distinguished guests.
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