22.09.2012.

A pledge ceremony for cadets of the Military Academy, attendees of the School for Reserve Officers and professional soldiers

Soldiers at the voluntary military service generation "September 2012", 137th cadet class of the Military Academy, 4th class of attendees of the Reserve Officers School and MMA School for medical reserve officers and professional soldiers took an on saturday today in the barracks "Aerodrom" in Sombor, “Vojvoda Zivojin Misic" in Valjevo, "Vojvoda Petar Bojovic" in Leskovac.

The ceremony was attended by representatives of the Ministry of Defence and the Serbian Armed Forces, parents, relatives and friends of the young soldiers, cadets and reserve officers, representatives of local governments, religious organizations and many citizens.

In Leskovac barracks "Vojvoda Peter Bojovic," congratulating them on this solemn act of taking the oath, the Chief of the Serbian Army General Staff Lt. Gen. Ljubisa Dikovic told the cadets and soldiers that this ceremony had a long tradition and a special meaning, and it is an honor to take a pledge.

The decision to voluntarily serve in the Army shows that young people in Serbia are aware of the importance of defense and security of their country. I appreciate your determination to give your personal contribution - said General Dikovic reminding that the Serbian Army is an institution that preserves the reputation and honor of the country and the military profession, and working in such an environment is a privilege of those few selected. He added that this was an opportunity for cadets to best see the needs and problems of soldiers, before whom they will soon stand as commanders.

According to him, the Army of Serbia and all of its members will always be a reliable guide to their country, along with the willingness to respond to security challenges and contribute to security in the region.

Speaking of priorities, general Dikovic emphasized improving the operational capabilities of our armed forces by equipping and modernization of weapons and equipment, the development of the training system, as well as the promotion of international military cooperation.

In the 1st raining center of the Army Training Command in Sombor, Serbia, 154 soldiers took the oath, was attended by the State Secretary at the Ministry of Defence Zoran Djordjevic, Chief of the Training and Doctrine Command General Major Jovica Draganic, commander of the 1st Training Center Lt. Col. Lazar Ostojic.

- To become a soldier for our people means to confirm integrity, courage and willingness to perform all deeds for the sake of Serbia, said, General Draganic, congratulating soldiers the ceremony of taking the oath. Soldiers, you have demonstrated that young people in Serbia are aware of the importance of defense and security. I appreciate your commitment to the plan to give a personal contribution. Use the opportunity while you are in military service to master military skills, to check and improve your mental and physical abilities, good friends and gain valuable experiences and memories, general Draganic stated noting that the Serbian Army is an institution that preserves the reputation and honor of the country and the military profession. Working in such an environment, he said, it is a privilege of the selected few.

The oath taken by 154 soldiers, including one girl - a professional soldier in Sombor, and twelve girls on voluntary military service deployed in the first training center.

In the barracks, "Vojvoda Zivojin Misic” in Valjevo the oath ceremony for 137th class of the Military Academy, the attendees of the 4th class of Reserve Officers School class of the Military Academy and MMA school for reserve officers, as well as professional soldiers was attended by the State Secretary at the Ministry of Defence Aleksandar Nikolic, director of the Inspectorate of Defence Lt. Gen. Aleksandar Zivkovic, Commander of the Training Command Brigadier General Dusan Stojanovic, commander of the 2nd Training Center Colonel Dragoslav Sladakovic.

General Zivkovic welcomed the soldiers and the public stressing that today in the training centers in Sombor, Valjevo and Leskovac confirms strength of our people and the army, witnessed several times in the history of Serbia.

- This is also a confirmation of the strong commitment to the Serbian Army, aware of the meaning of a military oath, to preserve military traditions of our people and to remain open to all citizens of Serbia. The oath is administered once in a lifetime and forever remembered and respected. It has always been and remains the highest value and solemn act which expresses devotion to one’s fatherland, as general Zivkovic remarked acknowledging recognition and expressed his satisfaction and appreciation for the choice of young military.

Cadets, you have chosen a very responsible and serious, but nice and honorable profession. Always keep in mind the words embroidered on the flag of the cadet brigade "Honor is what we have." Reserve officers, by graduating from college you have shown maturity, however your commitment to finish the school for reserve officers you have showed you additional strength. Soldiers, today you have become part of the defense system. Remember well the words of the oath and take pride in it just as well as we are proud of you today, said Lt. Gen. Aleksandar Zivkovic telling the parents that they are now, rightly, the proudest in Serbia.