19.10.2013.

Promotion of the new NCOs of the Serbian Armed Forces

Ranks of the Serbian Armed Forces are stronger today for 165 new sergeants. On a military ceremony today at the NCO Training and Advancement Centre in the presence of Defence Minister Nebojsa Rodic, the Serbian Armed forces Chief of General Staff General ljubisa Dikovic, senior military officers, representatives of the military diplomatic corps, religious communities and local government, the order of their the promotion to the first ranks of military leaders was read. After the completed basic training for non-commissioned officers that lasted 28 weeks, the best professional soldiers, who spent at least three years in the Serbian Armed Forces, have become non-commissioned officers. There are eight women among them. The first in the rank is Sergeant Aleksandar Vojnovic, the second one is Sergeant Mikica Mijalkovic, and the third most successful one in the generation is Sergeant Vanja Pauljevic.

Defence Minister Nebojsa Rodic said that today in the solemn ranks there are those who have been until recently the best professional soldiers, and now they are NCOs who will command and train soldiers in the future. Minister Rodic pointed out the importance of the role of the NCO corps in the functioning of the Armed Forces and said that the Ministry of Defence will continue to support the development of its capabilities and capacities.

- The citizens of Serbia should know that the officers and soldiers of the Serbian Armed Forces in the fight against all threats to the security of our country and in peacekeeping missions around the world, always and everywhere are keeping and will keep the reputation and honour of Serbia – the Minister of Defence said.

Congratulating the newly promoted non-commissioned officers their first ranks, Minister Rodic emphasized that they should be proud of the fact that they belong to the NCO corps and should foster awareness of the importance of the non-commissioned officers in the chain of command.

- You should interweave your personal courage, strong will, self-discipline, responsibility and teamwork in the capability of your units. Train your soldiers, teach them discipline and build a positive military spirit because every institution primarily consists of its people and the way these people are organized and motivated to successfully perform the assigned task. Be a role model for your soldiers! Always aim for the best! Improve your knowledge! Develop your skills and build your future! Cherish your noble patriotism and try to develop patriotism of your troops! – the Minister underlined recalling that the Serbian citizens expect that members of the defence system honourably perform their duties for the benefit of all and the general progress of our society.

At the end of his speech Minister recalled the life and times of the national hero Stevica Jovanovic, who died at the age of 25 in 1941 resisting the occupier, after whom Pancevo barracks, where the NCO Training and Advancement Centre is located, is named. Rodic pointed out that in his struggle there was no ideology or politics, but that his motive was patriotism.

- Do not forget that there is always something that is even more valuable than our lives, something that we should teach ourselves and our descendants. This is the love our ancestors showed for their homeland. This is the feeling that we do not need to have back, but the feeling we have to boast with. There is no politics, there is just something that is above all, and that is the fatherland. – Minister Rodic said adding to the new NCOs never to forget those who gave their lives so that we today can live in freedom.

Major General Djokica Petrovic, Commander of the Training Command, said that today is one of the most important days for the defence system. He said that the NCO corps is now richer and rejuvenated with 165 new officers, and that together with them there are professional soldiers who have completed the leadership course and that next year will be in the place of their colleagues who are today being promoted.

- On the way to their first NCO ranks they have passed the required selection and were selected and proposed for the training by their Sergeant Majors and Command Sergeant Majors, commands at tactical, joint tactical and operational levels. Each of them spent in professional military service, as a professional soldier, at least three years. None of them has official score less than very good. Each of them in the previous work has demonstrated leadership skills and completed all the prescribed forms of training as a condition for coming to the Basic NCO Course. Their NCO training lasted 28 weeks or 912 days. During the training they achieved remarkable, high and very good results. Both theoretically and practically they are trained for the first NCO duties: squad leader, crew and team leaders, but they also learned how to be capable and authoritative leaders of their troops, reliable support to their superiors and through personal example and commitment to develop and maintain the discipline and values of the military profession – General Petrovic said.

He pointed out that the new NCOs during their training mastered all programming contents of command, leadership, management of training, the physical, tactical and fire training. TC Commander said that their non-commissioned officers are aware that they have been provided the basic knowledge and skills for command at the starting duties, and that it is up to them to expand and improve that knowledge.

The Serbian Armed Forces Chief of Feneral Staff General Ljubisa Dikovic awarded the first one in the rank Sergeant Aleksandar Vojinovic with a wristwatch, the second in rank Sergeant Mikica Mijalkovic with binoculars, and the third one Sergeant Vanja Pauljevic with hand compass.

Sergeant Aleksandar Vojnovic, a member of the Special Brigade, in the traditional address of the best one in the class said that, completing the training at the NCO Training and Advancement Centre, their long-term aspirations were realized.

- Be sure that the trust you show us now will be justified through our work in the units. We are aware that the completion of this training does not mean that our development path is finished but that the real challenges are ahead of us – Vojnovic said, stressing that the new NCOs are to keep the tradition of the famous Serbian army.

After the ceremony, a static display was organised to present a part of the arms and equipment in the armaments of the Serbian Armed Forces, as well as the combat assets presented by "YUGOIMPORT SDPR".