21.03.2015.
The oath taking ceremony held
Soldiers on voluntary military service of "March 2015" generation, professional soldiers and students of reserve officers’ class of the Military Academy and the Military Medical Academy and candidates for professional soldiers have taken the enlistment oath today in the military training centers: Aerodrom in Sombor, Vojvoda Zivojin Misic in Valjevo and Vojvoda Petar Bojovic in Leskovac.In the presence of Minister of Defence Bratislav Gasic, Commander of the Training Command Major General Djokica Petrovic, representatives of the Ministry of Defence, SAF units, local government, religious communities, and numerous relatives and friends, 191 young men and women on voluntary military service and 37 professional soldiers took the enlistment oath during the ceremony in Aerodrom barracks.
- I am glad to say that more and more young people see their future in the defence system of the Republic of Serbia, and the young men
and women who stand before us today have decided to take the honorable oath of guarding and defending their country – Minister Gasic said, congratulating the soldiers on the taken oath, telling them to forever remember and carry the words of the oath they had spoken in their hearts.- Your decision to serve the voluntary military service shows your courage and readiness to serve to a higher cause, to improvement of security and the reputation of Serbia. For some of you, this is the first step in your military career – Minister of Defence said.
Minister reminded that the military oath had always had the highest place in the rich and glorious history of our people and military, marking the path of our ancestors, those who had always selflessly sacrificed their lives to save the Serbian state and people.
- Each day, you will show how one’s country should be guarded and loved. Be proud that you are members of the Armed Forces of Serbia and that you have taken the enlistment oath. Never forget that Serbia is our only native country – Minister of Defence Bratislav Gasic told the youngest generation of soldiers.
At Vojvoda Zivojin Misic barracks in Valjevo, the enlistment oath was taken today by 246 soldiers on voluntary military service of “March 2015” generation, students of reserve officers’ class from several units, including 31 women.The ceremony was attended by Head of the General Staff of Serbia General Ljubisa Dikovic, Secretary of the State of the Ministry of Defence Zoran Djordjevic, Deputy Commander of the Training Command Brigadier General Jelesije Radivojevic, representatives of the Ministry of Defence, Ministry of the Interior, the City of Valjevo, companies and organizations and the Church, and families of the students and soldiers on voluntary military service.
General Dikovic congratulated the soldiers and future reserve officers on their oath taking, saying:
- Whether you are in line today owing to your personal desire to serve the voluntary military service, or your firm decision to be professional
soldiers of the Armed Forces of Serbia, or your unwavering decision to become reserve officers, you have deserved recognition. Proudly expressing your love for your country and all other citizen virtues, you have shown that Serbia’s youth is worthy of glorious military liberation traditions, prepared to contribute to its improvement and security. By taking the enlistment oath, you have placed yourselves among those who carry their country in their hearts, prepared to fight for it, to defend it and protect it, with courage, honor and firmness.Head of the General Staff stressed that the enlistment oath instills pride and dignity in those who had taken it, committing them to guard Serbia as the holiest relic.
- Military life and calling are not easy. Certainly one of the most honorable professions, the military calling is extremely responsible, with risks and dangers. The military goes where it is toughest – in fire, water, snow, smoke. This is a job for the courageous, daring and brave people – General Dikovic said.
He stressed that the Armed Forces of Serbia remain firmly dedicated to sustaining and strengthening its operative capabilities, conducting all tasks assigned by the Republic of Serbia, fostering military traditions of the ancestors and preserving the bond between the military and the people.- Working on professionalization and modernization, striving to keep up, we have not lost what has made us the Armed Forces of Serbia; quite the contrary. The young people that join our forces can feel from day one that SAF is fueled by the most wonderful military tradition of our people and nurtures complete loyalty and dedication to one’s country and citizens, professional tasks and completion of assigned missions – General Ljubisa Dikovic stressed at the end of his address at the oath taking ceremony.
At Vojvoda Petar Bojovic barracks in Leskovac, the oath taking ceremony was attended by Deputy Head of the General Staff of Serbia
Lieutenant General Jovica Draganic, Head of the Training Command Staff Brigadier General Dejan Jankovic, representatives of the Ministry of Defence and the Armed Forces of Serbia, municipalities of Jablanica District, the Serbian Orthodox Church, Ministry of the Interior, sector for Emergency Situation, schools, associations, organizations and healthcare institutions, and around 1,000 members of families and friends of the soldiers. In the 11th class of soldiers on voluntary military service, the enlistment oath was taken by 209 soldiers, including 24 women.Deputy Head of the General Staff Lieutenant General Jovica Draganic congratulated the soldiers on the taken oath and stressed: “By taking the enlistment oath, you have placed yourselves among those who carry their country in their hearts, prepared to fight for it, to defend it and protect it, with courage, honor and devotedness. The young people that join our forces can feel from day one that SAF is fueled by the most wonderful military tradition of our people and nurtures complete loyalty and dedication to one’s country and citizens, professional tasks and completion of assigned missions.”
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