18.12.2010.

December class of soliders take the pledge

The December generation of soldiers took a pledge of allegiance in training centers in Sombor, Valjevo, Jacob, Leskovac and Zajecar. It is the last generation of soldiers that will serve the military service under the old statutory provisions upon which the Republican Parliament adopted a decision on 15 December to suspend the obligation of military service. Professionalization of the Army of Serbia means suspending the obligation of joining the Army when the military recruits who have finished it started in 2010.
The decision will begin to be implemented from 1 January 2011 as planned, and that the military service in the Army of Serbia will be based on voluntary wish t serve the army.

Serbian Army Chief of Staff Lt.Gen Miloje Miletic attended the central ceremony of taking the oath of December class of conscripts and professional soldiers in the Third Training Center in Jakovo.

Congratulating the pledge of allegiance taken by soldiers, General Miletic said that this day should be remembered in the modern history of the Serbian army, reminding them that this ceremony of pledge taking had existed since ancient times.

"The defense of the homeland for our people has always represented an expression of honor and was more than an obligation, and that the military uniform is deeply rooted into the tradition of our people is proven by the fact that even in this, the last generation of soldiers who have a legal obligation to do military service, the number of those who signed up was 100 %, "said General Miletic. He said young soldiers should be proud and honored to have taken the vow to serve their homeland the Republic of Serbia, in front of their parents, elders, relatives and friends.

"The time spent in the Army of Serbia will enable them to handle and operate the weapons and military equipment to test your mental and physical abilities," said Chief of Staff, but that, he added, "in a specific environment as military to also become life long friends .

He expressed the belief that some of these young people want to become professional soldiers of the Army of Serbia and that it was the right choice for those who wish to engage in responsible and dynamic job to continuously improve their skills and get promoted.

With the modern world that is continually being changed and improved, and we want to keep up with them, said General Miletic, adding that the new security challenges, risks and threats imposed the need for new response, so the Army of Serbia is changing and improving.

In his words, Serbia is on track to gain a strong and modern army, which will be organized according to the best international standards.
"In the final phase of professionalization, we are improving the training system, we have good cooperation with international security organizations, institutions and armed forces of countries in the world which have recognized us as a reliable partner," said General Miletic, adding that in the process of transition to professional army, Serbia is getting a modern defense system.

"For next year, we count on volunteers and we are ready to give them everything that involves the military life, and above all, challenging, effective and dynamic training," said Chief of General Staff.

Ceremonies in training centers were attended by representatives of the Ministry of Defense and the Army of Serbia, parents, relatives and friends of the young soldiers, representatives of local government, the Serbian Orthodox Church, as well as associations that foster the tradition of liberation wars and numerous citizens.