04.07.2014.

Completion of education of 3rd Class students and 57th Class officers of the General Staff Course

During today’s ceremony at the House of the National Assembly, President of the Republic of Serbia Tomislav Nikolic handed ceremonial officer swords to three first rank officers from 57th Class of the General Staff Course at the National Defence School, and badges to attendees of 3rd Class of Advanced Security and Defence studies, while Defence Minister Bratislav Gasic handed ceremonial officer swords to officers of 57th Class of the General Staff Course at the National Defence School.

The General Staff Course has been completed by 38 officers, 31 for the Republic of Serbia, 1 from Bosnia and Herzegovina and 6 from Angola. The Advanced Security and Defence Studies in 3rd Class have been successfully completed by 12 attendees – 4 officers from the Armed Forces of Serbia, 4 representatives of ministries and agencies of the Government of the Republic of Serbia, one representative of the National Assembly of the Republic of Serbia and 3 officers from Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia and Macedonia.

The most successful attendees of 57th Class of the General staff Course are Lieutenant Colonel Sasa Momcilovic, with an average score of 9.60, Lieutenant Colonel Radovan Gajic, with an average score of 9.40, and Lieutenant Colonel Brane Krnjajic, with an average score of 9.40.

Congratulating the attendees and officers, President Nikolic pointed out that another generation of future higher managers – leaders in the defence system on strategic and operative level of decision making has arrived.

- Today, you have made the State of Serbia and its citizens, especially here present family members, friends and your professors, filled with pride. We will share this feeling with our friends from Angola, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Macedonia and Croatia, whose officials have successfully acquired new knowledge at the National Defence School of Military Academy during the past academic year. You have invested significant effort to acquire new knowledge and connect it thematically. As of today, you are the leaders in your collectives, and as soon as tomorrow, you will have the opportunity to show and apply acquired knowledge and experience in your workplace. That way, you will further improve the already good organization and functioning of the security and defence systems. Let your motto be – It’s never good enough, as long as it can be better – the President of Serbia said, reminding everyone of the rich tradition of military education in our region.

According to him, intensive technically-technological and industrial growth, dynamic changes in the region and the world, old and new challenges, risks and threats to peace and security, commitment to following contemporary trends and movements in the field of high military education, have been and remain the reasons for the constant renovation and improvement of organization, program, educational and material base and the education staff.

- Today, the National Defence School is a modern and contemporarily organized educational institution that encompasses realization of training during bachelor studies attended by future officers, and all levels of further career advancement. Its members are dedicated to the idea and concept of a lifetime education and advancement, because that is the only way to secure successful following of contemporary trends of theory and practice, and finding adequate response to present and future challenges, risks and threats – President Nikolic stressed.

He added that the basic objective should be supporting further development of the Defence University, Military Academy and the National Defence School, because that is one of the ways of showing that we are worthy of our ancestors who had left us significant institutions in the system of military education, and that their further improvement is and will be a guarantee of protection of national interests of the Republic of Serbia and of successful completion of all missions and tasks of the Armed Forces of Serbia. Moreover, the President reminded of all activities of members of the Armed Forces of Serbia deployed in multinational operations, and pointed out the significance of their engagement during emergency state in our country, when, working conscientiously and responsibly, they showed each day their decisiveness and commitment to achieving and preserving peace in countries worldwide, as well as in defending their country.

- Thus, it is no surprise, and of that I am proud, that the Armed Forces of Serbia are an institution that earns greatest trust among citizens. Let knowledge be your most valuable weapon, and let the wisdom coming from it enhance its strength in any kind of defence. Build your discipline and good people skills in transition of knowledge and skills. Let us endure together in our striving for the Armed Forces of Serbia to keep earning the trust given by the citizens of Serbia over years, because unity of our people and their military is a guarantee of success, prosperity and protection of our vital national interests – President Nikolic concluded.

Addressing the gathered, on behalf of attendees of both career advancement programs, Lieutenant Colonel Sasa Momcilovic pointed out that, during their education, they had invested much effort to achieve set goals, giving special thanks to their families and professors for their support.

- Inspired with the rich tradition of Serbian officers and new knowledge and skills acquired during our education, we ensure you that, through conscientious and skillful work in the following period, we will fulfill our duties at most responsible duties in the security and defence system of the Republic of Serbia – Lieutenant Colonel Momcilovic, best in his rank, pointed out, thanking for the given trust.

According to Colonel Mile Jelic, Head of the National Defence School, this school, as a modern organizational unit of the Military Academy, celebrates this year 60 years of existence, success and work in educating officers and government employees for defence of the country and duties in the national securities system.

- I believe that you do comprehend that, everything you have learned so far, you should check and confirm in practice throughout your life. That, as you know, is by no means easy. With your dedication and lifetime commitment you have proven to be deserving of the handed recognitions and titles, for which I congratulate you – Colonel Jelic said.

The ceremony at the House of the National Assembly was also attended by Chairman of the National Assembly of Serbia Maja Gojkovic, Head of the General Staff of the Serbian Armed Forces General Ljubisa Dikovic, patriarch Irinej, Ministers of the Serbian Government, foreign military officials, and families and friends of the attendees.

The General Staff Course is of mixed training character and is the third level of post – graduation professional development of officers. The objective of the General Staff Course is to develop leadership skills of officers for strategic thinking and efficient commanding and handling in the wide spectrum of national and multinational security challenges. The General Staff Course is regularly organized and realized, and it lasts one academic year, from October until July next year.

The main goal of professional development at The Advanced Security and Defence Studies is education and preparation of attendees for taking over high-level duties in national security systems. The accent is placed on training attendees for multidisciplinary analysis of contemporary security environment, assessment of long/term political-security trends, development of elements of national security politics and cooperation with other systems of national securities on a regional and international level. Joint professional development also served for better understanding of missions and goals of other Ministries and organizations, better comprehension of mutual dependence in action of certain parts of national security and defence systems in achieving goals of national security strategies, and the presence of differences among organizational cultures.