1st generation of cadets graduate on 27th anniversary of Croatian Defence Academy
The 27th anniversary of teh Croatian Defence Academy was marked with a ceremony held in the Ministry of Defence on 19 December 2018, featuring a graduation ceremony for the cadets of the military study programmes.
The ceremony was opened with a projection show of a documentary on the 27th anniversary of the Croatian Defence Academy, followed by the presentation of commendations, awards and promotions to the meriting members. The main event was the graduation ceremony for the 12th generation of cadets – the 1st generation of cadets enrolling in the Military Engineering and Military Management military study programmes (as many as 82 cadets) and the proclamation of the best student of the generation – Staff Sergeant Rafael Šubat, who was presented with a challenge Cadet sabre.
The ceremony was attended by the Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Damir Krstičević as Envoy of the President of the Republic as Supreme Commander of the Croatian Armed Forces and of the Prime Minister of the Republic of Croatia, by the Chief of the General Staff of the Croatian Armed Forces, General Mirko Šundov, the State Secretary for Defence Zdravko Jakop, the Deputy Chief of the General Staff Lieutenant General Drago Matanović, by the Director of the General Staff of the Croatian Armed Forces Vice Admiral Robert Hranj,by the Chief Defence Inspector Major General Slaven Zdilar, by the Commander of the Croatian Defence Academy “Dr. Franjo Tuđman” Major General Mate Pađen, by the Vicar Marko Medo, by the Rector of the University of Zagreb Damir Boras, by the Rector of the Croatian Catholic University Željko Tanjić, by representatives of the Ministry of Defence and of the Croatian Armed Forces and of the academic community, of the late Chief of the General Staff Staff General Janko Bobetko, of the Commander of a Battalion of the 1st Guards Brigade Damir Tomljanović Gavran, of the first Croatian President Tuđman and of late Commander of the defence of Vukovar Blago Zadro, and family members of the graduates.
The Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Damir Krstičević in his address reminded of the major contribution of the Croatian Defence Academy in the education of defenders during the Homeland War We have to recount the past for the benefit of the cadets, who are successors of the defenders”, said the Minister, who also called on the cadets to continue serving to the pride of Croatia. “You have decided to pursue a demanding and honourable career, and you have earned the Croatian people’s and my own respect as well. I expect you to continue contributing to the development of the Croatian Armed Forces in your new duties, to be brave and believe in yourselves”, said the Minister.
The Minister extended appreciation to the cadets’ parents for their exemplary conduct.
Recalling the early days of the Academy (then Officers Centre) in the Homeland War and focussing on its future the Chief of the General Staff of the Croatian Armed Forces General Mirko Šundov called on the cadets to strive for excellency and patriotism”.
I expect from their instructors to continue training leaders and developing the Academy and the students’ skills and capabilities required for successful professional careers.
The Commander of the Croatian Defence Academy Major General Mate Pađen commended the cadets’ effors and commitment during their studies and called them on to continue the successful work. “Your hard work and persistence shows you to be ready to move on with your military careers,. There will always be something new to learn and experience, whatever your post may be. Show creativity and innvoation developing the Croatian Armed Forces!”.
The Rector of the University of Zagreb Damir Boras expresse pride over the graduation of the first generation of cadets from the military study programmes coinciding with the 350th anniversary of the University of Zagreb and hope in the continued successful co-operation with the Croatian Defence Academy. “Our wish is to educate a patriotic intellectual, cultural and education élite”.
The Croatian Armed Forces are an entity that promotes patriotism and the Croatian and European culture“, said Rector Boras.
The programme featured a performance by the Croatian Navy Orchestra.
The Croatian Defence Academy “Dr. Franjo Tuđman” grew out from the Officers Centre established in December 1991 as the first institution providing education for the members of the Croatian National Guard. THe Officers Centre was named Croatian Military Academy “Petar Zrinski”, in 1998 and Croatian Defence Academy “Dr Franjo Tuđman“ in 2015 The main focus of the Croatian Defence Academy has been education of officers and NCOs and design of standards, criteria, guidelines and instructions for the members of the Croatian Armed Forces The Academy comprises five schools –the “Ban Josip Jelačić War College, the “Blago Zadro” Command and Staff School, the “Andrija Matijaš Pauk” Officers School, the “Damir Tomljanović Gavran” NCO School and the Foreign Languages Centre “Katarina Zrinska”.
The 8-semester Military Engineering and MIlitary Management study programmes were developed jointly by the Croatian Armed Forces and the University of Zagreb, and upon graduation students earn 240 ECTS, the bachelor title and are commissioned 2nd lieutenants. The programmes were launched in the academic year 2014/2015, with 105 cadets, 82 of whom successfully graduated (46 students of the Military Engineering and 36 students of the Military Management. As many as 57 cadets enrolled in the graduate studies and 22 cadets entered military service.