10.11.2015.

Ceremonial academy on the occasion of 60th anniversary of the National Defence School

In the House of Guards in Topcider tonight, a gala ceremony was held on the occasion of the 60th anniversary of the National Defence School. The ceremony was attended by Defence Minister Bratislav Gasic, Chief of General Staff General Ljubisa Dikovic, representatives of the legislative, executive and judicial authorities, representatives of the Ministry of Defence and the Serbian Armed Forces, foreign military representatives, as well as numerous guests from academic and cultural institutions.

Congratulating on the important jubilee, Minister Gasic pointed out that the National Defence School, in addition to providing the necessary knowledge for professional and responsible performance of tasks from all three missions of our army, expanded its scope and provided training for representatives of the Government of the Republic of Serbia, and experts in certain fields from other structures.

- High-quality curricula and training at the National Defence School, using international experience in the field of military education, technical modernization and development of educational methods, means for acquiring knowledge to find an adequate response to the challenges which we face as a country. The National Defence School exists for the needs of Serbia and its security and defence system - Minister Gasic said, reminding of the rich history of the military education institution in which since the establishment senior military leaders have trained to become decision-makers at the operational and strategic level.
According to him, the education in this school builds the identity of officers, leaders, honourable, loyal, trained and ready for the intellectual and ethical challenges of the officer calling in the service of the fatherland.

- With this, it contributes to the overall development of the capacity of the Serbian Armed Forces, which is a reliable partner of armies of other countries in combating all forms of possible threats to security. Officers in all forms of training, among which are members of foreign armed forces, are trained to work in an international environment, for successful cooperation with other armies in the world in the process of establishing peace in the world and the fight against terrorism and organized crime, which is the best way to promote our Armed Forces and our country - Minister of Defence said and stressed that the management of the School will persevere on the path that has been determined since its foundation.

Addressing the students of the National Defence School, Minister Gasic said that they belong to the group of people who will in the next decade be politically or professionally responsible for developing the security system.

Head of the National Defence School Colonel Professor Miroslav Talijan said that with the working-solemn celebration of this anniversary representatives of the school wanted to point out that what the Serbian Army has been and remains, a respective force not only in our region, but always in the first place by reputation in the nation, is not just a product of genetic military code of its members, but also the fact that the formation of our army established training and education of its soldiers and officers.

- Education of our army has been very necessary and very successful, both in tough times like today, and during the war. In the background of combat operations and on the free territory, education was dedicated to specific situations, and on the front by practical application of knowledge, skills and habits and its effects, the military personnel was crafted fastest and best. The effects are largely pride-worthy and exemplary, and the officers of our army led to their achievement, including legendary figures, some of whom are insufficiently mentioned, but are not forgotten - Colonel Talijan said.

- Due to the valuable history of the National Defence School, but especially its future, on behalf of those who today are a part of it and represent it, I extend a big "thank you" in the hope that as before, with big respect and pleasure, you will continue to carry and transmit authentic values of your National Defence School, trying to be as close as possible to it- Colonel Talijan said.
Following the ceremony, on the occasion of the anniversary, Minister Gasic and General Dikovic presented to Head of the National Defence School Colonel Talijan plaques of the Ministry of Defence and the Serbian Armed Forces.

For 60 years, since it was founded under the name of War School of Higher Military Academy of the YNA, when the training began for the first generation of officers on 5 November 1955, the National Defence School has been profiled as the highest military educational and scientific institution in the system of military education. With different levels of career development, such as Command and Staff Course and General Staff Course, with Advanced Security and Defence Studies, today it is a recognizable military educational and scientific institution where military and other leaders from the country and abroad gain comprehensive knowledge necessary for the development of leadership skills, strategic thinking and effective command and control in a wide range of national and international security challenges.