23.03.2013.

March Generation Soldiers swear in

Soldiers in the voluntary military service of March generation gave today solemn oath in training centres in Leskovac, Sombor and Valjevo.

Congratulating the soldiers on taking the oath at the ceremony in "Field Marshal Petar Bojovic" barracks in Leskovac, Serbian Armed Forces Chief of General Staff General Ljubisa Serbia Dikovic pointed out that the strength of the bond between our military and our people, witnessed so many times in history, and strong commitment of the Ministry of Defence and the Serbian Armed Forces to preserve the military tradition of our people was confirmed once again.

- Always remember this oath, keep it in your heart and be proud of the fact that you stood in the line of the bold on

es, in the military ranks that guarantee freedom and dignity of Serbia and security for all its citizens. In addition to military skills, in the military you will gain lasting friendships and life experiences that will be useful throughout your life. Based on the past experience, there are certainly many of you who have opted for voluntary military service who will dare to apply to become professional soldiers of our Armed Forces. The fact is that young people in Serbia today, both boys and girls, readily and in an increasing number opt for the military profession. For those of you, military service, and mastering all the contents of the training will be the first step to achieving the goal – General Dikovic said.

In an address to the citizens of Leskovac and the surrounding towns, General Dikovic emphasized to parents, relatives and friends of the soldiers that the main task of the Serbian Armed Forces is the defence of the country what is absolute priority of the everyday engagement.

- This is why we exist, it is our fundamental social role and we are ready to perform it. Based on the decision of the highest state authorities, along with other armies of the world, we take part in building and maintaining peace in the world, strengthening the reputation of Serbia and its international credibility – General Dikovic pointed out in Leskovac.

In the ceremony at the Training Centre in Sombor, Major General Djokica Petrovic, Commander of the Training Command, conveyed congratulations to the soldiers and in the ceremony in Valjevo, Major General Goran Radovanovic, Deputy Commander of the Joint Operations Command, wished the volunteers successful military days.

The ceremony was attended also by Jovan Mijakovic, Assistant Minister for Human Resources, Major Gen

eral Branko Andric, Head of the Organization Department in the Ministry of Defence, Brigadier General Dragosav Lackovic, Chief of Personnel Department of the Ministry of Defence, and Brigadier General Jelesije Radivojevic, Chief of Staff of the Training Command.

In the March generation, 502 soldiers are in voluntary military service in training centres, and 41 students attend the Course for reserve officers. Out of this number, 54 girls are in training centres and four female students in the Course for reserve officers. The number of 3042 candidates applied for voluntary military service with arms which makes 563 percent of the Admission Plan.