25.09.2026.
Minister Gašić attends oath-taking ceremony for cadets and reserve officer trainees
Minister of Defence Bratislav Gašić today attended the oath-taking ceremony for the 151st class of Military Academy cadets, the 18th class of cadets of the Military Medical Academy’s Faculty of Medicine, and the September intake of reserve officer trainees. The ceremony was held at the General Jovan Mišković Barracks in Belgrade.
Extending his congratulations to the cadets and reserve officer trainees on taking their oath, Minister Gašić said that the words spoken today would be etched on their memory forever.- You have taken your military oath and accepted a sacred duty to defend your country through your knowledge, professionalism, courage, and personal example, proving yourselves worthy of the uniform you wear. You have taken on the duty to prove yourselves worthy of the generations who, throughout our proud history, always defended freedom and independence and preserved peace, as well as to ensure that your actions will set an example for generations to come – the Minister of Defence said.
He stressed that the military oath is a pledge of honour, responsibility, and service to a common and higher purpose, and added that the solemn word they gave obliges them to protect and defend every inch of our beloved, freedom-loving Serbia and the freedom of all its citizens.- The freedom and survival of the values we uphold as a nation depends on your determination and resolve to keep your word. The motto of the Military Academy clearly says that honour is our greatest, our only asset. You have pledged that very asset as a guarantee of your determination and readiness to serve your country. It is a big decision for young people to make, a decision worthy of admiration. Thank you for that - Minister Gašić emphasised.
Speaking about the months and years of study and professional development ahead, the Minister of Defence emphasised the importance of making the most of the time they would spend in education by acquiring as much knowledge as possible, mastering as many skills as possible, and above all, forging themselves into good and honourable individuals upon whom anyone can rely in any situation.- Don’t forget that for a good officer, no subject matter should remain unfamiliar. The officer’s calling requires discipline and self-sacrifice, but principally, it demands strength of character. An officer must be prepared to take responsibility for the people entrusted to their command, a duty that can be successfully fulfilled only if you are well-trained, knowledgeable, and grounded in true values – Minister Gašić said.
He highlighted that the Serbian Armed Forces “are incomparably stronger than in times past, equipped with state-of-the-art weapons systems, military equipment, and highly motivated personnel, serving, as such, as the strongest guarantee of peace and stability in the region.”- I am, therefore, extremely delighted to see so many of you here today, proud and determined to serve your homeland as its officers. You demonstrate that generations committed to true values continue to emerge, that our mothers still give birth to true heroes. The Ministry of Defence, the Armed Forces, and our entire state leadership recognise the importance of strong, modern military education, not only for national security, but for the stability of the society as a whole. We will therefore continue to invest in our military schools, improving our curriculum in step with advances in science and “military thought”, while continually improving living and working conditions for our cadets, students, and trainees - the Minister of Defence emphasised.
Addressing the parents of the cadets and trainees, Minister Gašić highlighted the importance of their support at every step of the way, adding that "behind every young person who chooses the officer’s calling, lie the love, trust, and pride of their family and friends."Concluding his speech, Minister Gašić wished the cadets and trainees every success in their future education and training, expressing his hope that today would mark the beginning of their journey to becoming officers whom the nation would trust and be proud of.
Military Academy Cadet Nestor Stanić said that his decision to enter military service was motivated primarily by his love for the homeland and a deep sense of patriotism.- This solemn day means a lot to me as the culmination of basic training. As a Military Grammar School graduate, I can say that this is a day I have dreamed of since I was a child - Cadet Stanić said.
Highlighting the significance of the occasion, Bosiljka Zloporubović, cadet of the Military Medical Academy’s Faculty of Medicine, noted that it represented the culmination of her training so far and her companionship with her peers.
- We came here today to take an oath that, to me, represents a promise to my colleagues, my family, and the state that I will one day carry out my duties as both an officer and a doctor with honour. It also serves as a moral compass for my future career - said Cadet Zloporubović.The ceremony was attended by the Rector of the Defence University, Brigadier General Professor Boban Đorović, Ph.D., the Commandant of the Military Academy, Major General Željko Furundžić, the Head of the Military Office of the President of the Republic of Serbia, Brigadier General Boris Stojković, members of the Defence Minister’s and the Chief of the General Staff’s collegiums, representatives of the Ministry of Defence and the Serbian Armed Forces, as well as the families, relatives, and friends of the cadets and trainees.
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