25.07.2026.
Newly commissioned officers join ranks of Serbian Armed Forces
The President of the Republic and Supreme Commander of the Serbian Armed Forces, Aleksandar Vučić, along with Minister of Defence Bratislav Gašić and the Chief of the Serbian Armed Forces General Staff, General Milan Mojsilović, attended the commissioning ceremony held today at the General Jovan Mišković Barracks in Banjica, where 130 cadets of the Military Academy and the Faculty of Medicine of the Military Medical Academy were commissioned as second lieutenants.
Also in attendance were the Speaker of the National Assembly, Ana Brnabić, the Prime Minister of the Republic of Serbia, Đuro Macut, Serbian Patriarch Porfirije, and government ministers.President Vučić remarked that this was the tenth time he had attended the commissioning ceremony of a new generation of Serbian Armed Forces officers in his capacity as President of the Republic, adding that he was proud of every one of them.
- I would like to say that it is a tremendous honour to celebrate the graduation of yet another generation of wonderful young men and women who, through their courage, bravery, and knowledge, will safeguard and protect our country. As you can see, we have managed to transform conditions at the Military Academy. With the exception of one small section, we have renovated and improved virtually everything – the President of Serbia said.
He said that in the meantime the armed forces had been rearmed and re-equipped, becoming incomparably stronger than they once had been.- We have done this not because we seek to threaten or endanger anyone, but because we have learned the bitter lessons of our history – that whenever we were weak, others came to humiliate us, subjugate us, and seize parts of our territory. Today, Serbia is strong enough primarily thanks to you, distinguished officers, dear soldiers, and to you who are now joining our ranks and to whom we look with great hope and belief that you will safeguard our skies and our country. In these times of turmoil, international lawlessness, in a time when the Charter and the resolutions of the United Nations are either non-existent or are being disregarded, you are the guarantor of the security of the citizens of Serbia. You are the ones who will protect every inch of this country and who possess the strength and the ability to defend it – President Vučić emphasised.
He noted that Serbia would remain militarily neutral and that it would take care of itself and its own future, and added that, while alliances and cooperation were necessary, we must always be strong enough to safeguard and defend our country.
- You have taken an oath to uphold the Constitution of the Republic of Serbia and to preserve the territorial integrity of our country. I say this because I know the pressures that both you and the political leadership will face, but nothing is more sacred, nothing is more important than our homeland. Kosovo and Metohija is a part of our homeland, a part of Serbia, both under our Constitution and in the eyes of God. We must remember this and we must preserve that sacred land. Without provoking, attacking or threatening anyone, we must remain steadfast in our own land – President Vučić said.He extended his special gratitude to the parents and families of the newly commissioned officers for supporting them through their demanding journey, and told the second lieutenants that everyone places their trust in them and looks to them with great hope.
- Thank you for your efforts and the work you have done so far. No one can take away your knowledge, your bravery, or your courage. Not everyone chooses being a soldier or an officer as their calling. It is a calling chosen by the most honourable and the bravest among us. Thank you for everything you have done for your homeland so far, and thank you to your families. And above all, thank you for everything you will do in the future for your Serbia – President Vučić said.At the beginning of the ceremony, the Commandant of the Military Academy, Major General Željko Furundžić, reported to the President of the Republic. Following the reading of the decree, President Vučić presented officer sabres with inscriptions to the top cadets.
The top Military Academy cadets were Nemanja Ivanović (Army), Lazar Đorđević (Air Force and Air Defence) and Predrag Đuričić (services). The top cadet graduating from the Faculty of Medicine, Military Medical Academy, was Jelena Mićić.Addressing the newly commissioned officers, the Rector of the Defence University, Brigadier General Prof. Boban Đorović, Ph.D., said that the cadets of the Defence University are among the most valuable assets of the Republic of Serbia, as they are young men and women who have made their solemn promise to their homeland to serve it with loyalty, discipline and self-sacrifice.
- A good officer always strives, with renewed enthusiasm, to improve the unit they command. In order to be able to do so, they must dedicate themselves to military and other sciences, study them with passion, apply them creatively, and foster innovation. The knowledge you have acquired at the Defence University is a solid foundation for your lifelong professional development and a cornerstone of your future professional achievements. I am certain that you will carry out your duties in the units of the Serbian Armed Forces admirably, and that through your work you will strengthen the reputation of the institutions that educated you and confirm your belief that becoming an officer of the Serbian Armed Forces is your true calling in life. The person who lives their dreams lives the best life. You have fulfilled one of your greatest dreams. Now you are living that dream, making your families, your profession, your Armed Forces, and Serbia proud - Rector Đorović emphasised.A total of 130 cadets have been commissioned as second lieutenants of the Serbian Armed Forces - 102 Military Academy cadets (147th class) and 28 cadets of the Military Medical Academy’s Faculty of Medicine (12th class). In addition, two cadets from the Armed Forces of Bosnia and Herzegovina have graduated from the Military Academy, along with one cadet each from the Serbian Ministry of the Interior and the Angolan Armed Forces. Also graduating from the MMA’s Faculty of Medicine this year are two cadets from the Armed Forces of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Second Lieutenant Predrag Đuričić said it was his honour to address the audience on behalf of his class – the brave, honourable, and competent young people who were becoming new officers of the Serbian Armed Forces. He added that their new duties would bring further professional development, as well as an opportunity to prove the knowledge they had already acquired.- In two days, we will take up our first officer duties within the units of the Serbian Armed Forces, and I assure you that all of us standing here today are ready for it. Indeed, we look forward to it, because we want to dedicate our youth, knowledge, and strength to our calling, despite the challenges and the great responsibility it carries. Our hearts will be dedicated to the defence of our people. We are the future guardians of this country, and through our knowledge and our virtues, we will make the defence system stronger and richer – Second Lieutenant Đuričić said, expressing his gratitude to the parents and professors who had been their constant source of support.
The ceremonial parade of the newly commissioned second lieutenants and cadets of the Defence University was followed by a flypast featuring MiG-29 and Lasta aircraft, as well as Mi-35M and H-145M combat and multi-role helicopters. During the flypast, the pilot of a MiG-29 aircraft extended his congratulations to the newly commissioned officers.
The ceremony included the performances by the Ministry of Defence’s “Stanislav Binički” Art Ensemble and the Representative Orchestra of the Serbian Armed Forces Guard.The ceremony was attended by members of the Defence Minister’s and the Chief of the General Staff’s collegiums, families and friends of the newly commissioned second lieutenants, representatives of the diplomatic corps, delegations from the armed forces of partner nations, and representatives of religious communities.
For the friends and families of the newly commissioned officers, the ceremony marked the culmination of years of hard work, sacrifice, and support. Proud and emotional, they spoke about the importance of this solemn occasion and the emotions it brought.Milja Mitrović from Bela Palanka came to the Military Academy to attend the commissioning of her twin sister. She said that the event filled her with immense pride and emotions.
- We are so overwhelmed. I am nervous and extremely excited, because this is such an important day, especially after spending six years going through everything together with my twin sister, every single day. It is a great honour to be here today to support my sister, her colleagues, and all the hard work they have put in. There have been many sacrifices, which is why the whole family has been part of this journey. This is not just studying, it is a way of life – said Milja Mitrović.
Jelena Bogosavljević from Užice came to the Military Academy to attend the commissioning ceremony of her husband’s nephew. She said that the entire family was proud of his success and his career choice.- We have come from different parts of Serbia, some from Užice, some from Kraljevo, and now that we have seen him, we are extremely happy. Our hearts are brimming with joy. David Milanović is a wonderful, well-raised, polite and disciplined young man, a source of pride for our family. I am sure he has chosen the right path – Ms Bogosavljević said.
Jasmina Stanković arrived from Leskovac to support her niece and nephew, who graduated from the Military Academy. She said that their graduation day filled the entire family with pride.
- That was my dream that never came true, which is why I am particularly happy that my niece and nephew have chosen this path. They were accepted into the Military Academy, and today they have successfully graduated, which makes me incredibly proud. This is truly a magnificent moment, something you experience only once in a lifetime. I am so glad that we have been able to experience this thanks to Anđela and Luka. They are the ones who have made this possible, and I am the proudest aunt of all – she said.