24.08.2012.

Graduation ceremony for MA and MMA reserve officers

The graduation ceremony for reserve officers of the Military and the Military Medical Academy generation "March 2012", was held today in the "General Jovan Miskovic" barracks in Belgrade.

By the Decree of the President of the Republic Tomislav Nikolic, 49 of them, trained at the Military Academy and the Military Medical Academy, after six months of training, rose to the rank of second lieutenant infantry or second lieutenant of armored units in reserve (while 8 of them trained at the MMA as of today have the rank of medical and one and a veterinary lieutenant.

Chief of the Military Academy - Major Mladen Vuruna presented the awards to the best reserve officers. The first in the rank of reserve lieutenants is Miroslav Milinkov, 130 class of the infantry, (average mark 9.33), while the second and third in class are Milan Smiljanic (9.22) and Djordje Kostic, 91 class of armored units with an average score of 9.00.

The reserve officer at the MMA is reserve second lieutenant Marina Cubic, while the second and third in class are Jelena Milenkovic and Mirjana Stamenic.

Congratulating the newly-appointed lieutenants, Colonel Mile Jelic said that many guests at the ceremony show that their work and results were acknowledged.

- Reserve Officer Training is particularly important for the defense system, especially for the Serbian armed forces in terms of complete preparation for defense. Reserve officer is trained to make decisions relevant to their own and the lives of their soldiers during combat operations, and the life of the nation and the state, which are the highest values for each individual, said the head of the School of National Defense, adding that at the present time, finishing the School for Reserve Officers, is a matter of prestige for many highly educated young people.

On behalf of newly appointed officers, Miroslav Milinkov the first in class thanked his elders, parents and friends for their support, who confirmed that all the listeners since the day they took their military oath to date had faced various challenges and tasks which did not sway them from their path as they knew they had to endure them on their way, thus becoming stronger by new experiences and knowledge.

- We overcame all obstacles with persistent efforts, one after another, knowing we were closer to our goal after each obstacle we surmounted. I can assure you that we are ready to respond to any challenge placed before us, Milinkov said, adding that the knowledge gained during the training could be used both in work and everyday life. – All this while never forgetting military honor, because honor is what we have.