The youngest officers promoted, Vučić said that the state and citizens are proud of the army (PHOTO) – Society

Vučić said that during the promotion of the cadets of the last years of the Military Academy and the Military Medical Academy to the first rank of officer. at the “General Jovan Mišković” barracks in Banjica, which is proud of the military education system that achieves the best results.

“In previous years, we tried to raise the reputation of the army, so you are the most deserving,” said Vucic.

Vučić said that Serbia will maintain military neutrality, which “will not be only on paper” but will also maintain friendship with everyone.

He said that Serbia, as a relatively small country, must face all kinds of pressures.

“It is not your job or ours to work for anyone other than our country će You will have invitations, well-intentioned and malicious, that will put you aside. For you, there is a side, a homeland, and that is Serbia … We will cooperate with everyone, if that is possible in the modern world, “said Vučić.

He added that there are countries that believe in international relations that “if you are not with us, then you are against us”, and that Serbia will be ready to retaliate against “anyone who dares to attack (her)”.

Vučić mentioned that military sciences have only recently been recognized and identified with other scientific disciplines.

“In previous years, the soldiers themselves deserve the highest credit for the reputation of the Armed Forces.” We gave back the military vocational high schools, which were abolished, and much has been done regarding the status and standards of soldiers, “Vucic noted.

He added that military schools had 30 percent more applications this year compared to the average of the previous three years, showing that the popularity of joining the military is returning to the ranks of Serbia.

“In today’s world of insecurity, challenges, unpredictability, Serbia must have a strong army, which will protect its citizens with its courage,” said Vucic.

He promised younger officers cheap and good apartments, further improvement of standards through increased salaries in the Armed Forces, as well as additional investments in equipment and training.

The solemn promotion of 152 cadets from the Military Academy and the Faculty of Medicine of the Military Medical Academy began today at 11:00 am at the “General Jovan Mišković” barracks in Banjica, Belgrade.

The ceremony began with the fanfare announcement and reception by the President of Serbia, Aleksandar Vučić. Major General Bojan Zrnić presented the report to the President. After Vučić greeted the cadets, the Serbian anthem “God of Justice” was sung.

Years ago, the promotion of the youngest lieutenants of the Serbian army was organized in front of the House of the National Assembly, but respecting and respecting the epidemiological protection measures against the spread of the kovid-19 infection, the ceremony returned to the Academy Military after 14 years.

Major General Zrnić: The Serbian Army gained new forces and Serbia gained new hopes

The director of the Military Academy, Major General Dr. Bojan Zrnić, emphasized that this year’s promotion of the youngest lieutenants is being carried out in compliance with the recommendations due to the corona virus epidemic, pointing to three challenges.

– First, the epidemic has caused the way we want to communicate with our past and nurture our tradition. We want to reflect on the past and build lighthouses that illuminate the present and future paths. Therefore, earlier this year, we hoped to celebrate our great jubilee in a more visible way: 170 years since the founding of the Military Academy. Unfortunately, under the circumstances, our ambitious plan had to be boiled down to a few noteworthy events, General Zrnić said, highlighting the unveiling of the bust of general and academic Jovan Mišković and the opening of a memorial hall.

He then pointed out that the pandemic threatened to compromise the performance of the most important tasks of the Military Academy and the Faculty of Medicine of the Military Medical Academy, and that is the teaching-educational process.

– We react quickly to the new challenge and redirect an important part of the teaching process to our own distance learning platform. Furthermore, there was no shortage of training in the field. We are especially proud of the successful completion of the “Graduate” exercise, which was conducted for the first time this year with the participation of cadets from all branches and services, including the physician. This confirmed that the mission of the Defense University, which is reflected in the construction of professional officers loyal to Serbia and ready for the challenges of the call of an officer in the service of the motherland, has been successfully accomplished, General Zrnić noted. , and informs the press service.

Speaking of the third challenge, the head of the Military Academy pointed out that even in the circumstances of a pandemic, senior cadets have the promotion they deserve, with a military ceremony worthy of their young hopes, patriotic ideals and big dreams, their hard work, knowledge, sacrifice and success.

– Despite all the challenges, here we are today at the ceremony, which is held again at the Military Academy after 14 years. There are many symbols and reasons for pride in the return of the promotion to this place. It is in this place that many generations of officers listened with attention and pride to the presidential decrees, which gave them the right to the epaulettes of the officers, and with them to the duties and responsibilities of command – said General Zrnić, emphasizing that the barracks It is “General Jovan Mišković”, thank you with new investments, more orderly and beautiful, and who was willing to receive the promotion of the younger lieutenants.

Speaking of the younger officers, General Zrnić noted that they are excellent classes and that their ranks include soldiers we were proud of in military cadet competitions, and medal winners from international military sports competitions and knowledge competition winners, excellent archers, polyglots. and excellent speakers.

– His training is first-rate, his knowledge is powerful, his talents are numerous, and his achievements are certainly great. Her spirit sharpens, her heart devoted, her muscles trained and her will firm. With them, the Serbian Army gained new strength and Serbia gained new hope, said the head of the Military Academy, Major General Dr. Bojan Zrnić.

The first in rank, Lieutenant Ognjen Zlatić, speaking on behalf of his colleagues, expressed his gratitude for the opportunity, but also the privilege, of obtaining an education at an institution such as the Military Academy and the Medical Academy Faculty of Medicine. Military.

– The officer’s call is sublime and frequent, and all those whose thoughts and hearts are filled with love for the country must decide for it. As in everything in life, the best things are usually noticed at the end, when after all the hard years, exams, terrain and line-up, it dawns when we put on dress uniforms, tie ties and stand with an officer’s rosette on our shoulders in front of a mirror. a mature and consummate person, who had a clear goal in front of him, who overcame all obstacles and today is proud here with his colleagues and friends of the generation – said Lieutenant Zlatic and explained that when he tells friends, he means friends for life “because we went through all the challenges together, fighting for each other, not allowing anyone to be left behind or to stop bravely stepping towards the goal.”

– From the period we spent in school, we only carry the most beautiful memories of life, the necessary knowledge and experience and the priceless wealth that cannot be bought, and that is the knowledge and awareness that we have become better persons. We owe gratitude for that to all the teachers and elders. The mark they left on our moral and educational progress is eternal and lasting – said Lieutenant Zlatic, sending a special thanks to family and friends, adding that the end of schooling for all of them is at the same time a new beginning, for ” go bravely to new victories. “

The rise of the youngest lieutenants was also marked by the performance of the cavalry platoon of the Serbian Army Guard, which, showing the noble skill renewed in 2018, recalled that the Serbian Army preserves the tradition and memory of the cavalry division. who participated in the victories for the liberation of Serbia.

Remembering the maxim of the Military Academy “Honor is our country”, but also the fact that love of the country, the military word and honor has always been the first and most important lesson during military education, within the program cultural and artistic, our outstanding theatrical artist Tihomir Arsić told an excerpt from the book “The Thessalonians Speak” by Antonio Đurić.

The anthem of the Republic of Serbia, at the beginning of the ceremony, was performed by the opera singer Oliver Njego, as well as the song “This is Serbia” within the cultural and artistic program, accompanied by the Art Ensemble of the Ministry of Defense “Stanislav Binicki”.

The end of today’s ceremony was marked by incursions by Serbian Army aircraft, with Mi-17V5, X-145M, Mi-35M and Gazelle helicopters flying through the sky for the first time.

As part of the MiG-29 plane crash, the younger colleagues were greeted by Pilot Captain Bogdan Kovacevic.

– Congratulations to our younger colleagues for their rank of First Officer! Serve your people with honor and be the pride of your country. Long live Serbia! – said Pilot Captain Kovacevic.

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