19.03.2011.

The first generation of soldiers for voluntary military service swears in

In the training centres of the Serbian Army in Sombor, Valjevo and Leskovac, the first generation of soldiers who will serve voluntary military service in the next three months have taken the oath today.

In the barracks, Vojvoda Živojin Misic in Valjevo, ceremony was attended by Minister of Defence Dragan Sutanovac, General Miloje Miletic, Serbian Armed Forces Chief of General Staff, Lieutenant General Aleksandar Zivkovic, Commander of the Training Command , Military Bishop Porfirije, Bishop of Valjevo Milutin and Mayor of Valjevo Zoran Jakovljevic.

Congratulating the soldiers, their parents, relatives and friends on taking the oath, Minister Sutanovac said that the number of young people who signed up for voluntary military service, after completion of reforms, is a motivation to continue with building a contemporary, modern, professional army, ready to respond to all challenges, risks and threats and to fulfil all the missions and tasks defined by the law.

The Minister pointed out that our army is engaged today in building peace in the world participating in international missions and are assisting the citizens of Serbia, Kraljevo, Prijepolje, Sjenica and Vladicin Han. The army, he said, is an essential element of society, organized not only to defend the country, but also to help citizens.

Sutanovac expressed his satisfaction with the number of candidates for voluntary military service, noting that among them there is a large number of girls. He said the the year 2011 will be remembered for the reforms of the Serbian Army, the first generation of volunteers who put on uniforms and the introduction of chaplain service in the army after 70 years.

Pointing out that the soldiers passed the strict selection criteria to get in the ranks, Sutanovac said that they expect three difficult months of training, but that they should be proud because they will enter into the history. He recalled that several years ago people were looking for connections not to serve military, and now they look for connections in order to serve, even though nobody was admitted into ranks on that basis, but on the basis of strict selection.

Sutanovac said that the soldiers should be proud, because they are to become part of an institution that has the greatest confidence of the citizens of Serbia. They are to become a part of a team that, according to all indicators, have made the best reform in our government, in the last four years.

Minister said to the officers who will train the volunteers that their job will be hard and easy at the same time. Easier than usual, due to the fact that they will be training the volunteers, but more difficult because many of them wish to continue their careers as professional soldiers, so they expect more of the training.

Defence Minister Dragan Sutanovac, after the oath ceremony, attended the Ceremonial Academy on the occasion of the Day of the City of Valjevo in the City Hall. After that, the Serbian Army Guard members have performed the exhibition drill – an attractive performance of weapon drill actions.

Aleksandra Mladenovic from Batajnica, which has taken the oath in Valjevo among 39 girls, said that for her membership of the Serbian Armed Forces is an honour. As a student at the Faculty of Security Studies she sees the continuation of her professional career in the defence system and military service is just a step ahead towards that goal.

Constantine Samofalov, the MP who was also in the ranks today, says that military service in Serbia has a great tradition and that it is not incidentally that the military is the most broadly respected institution in the country. He emphasizes that as of now he will have two state obligations, but till 1 June his priority will be the army and that he will go to the National Assembly only when necessary so as not to impair its functioning. Samofalov believes that the experiences that await him during his military service will be useful in understanding the military from the inside and the problems its members are facing every day.

Soldier Nenad Tur?inovi? says he was led into the army by his wish to put on the uniform and to continue his career as a professional soldier. His sister Nevena says that she also sees his son in the future in uniform.