289 volunteer conscripts take an oath to the Homeland: It is an honour to serve in the Croatian Army

oday, on 28 February 2025, the ceremonial oath-taking of the 45th generation of conscripts undergoing voluntary military training was held at the “123rd Brigade of the Croatian Army” barracks.

This is the first generation this year, consisting of a total of 289 voluntary conscripts of whom 243 are men and 46 are women, including six top athletes (four men and two women).

We learn many useful things; we have made many acquaintances and friendships

Some of the conscripts who took the oath today shared their experiences, expressing pride and contentment with their decision to undergo voluntary military training.

“We learn many useful things and I hope that this knowledge will help me in my future military career,” is the message of one of the conscripts, while his colleague pointed out that since arriving at the Požega barracks, she has made many acquaintances and friends from all parts of Croatia and explained her reasons for attending voluntary military training.

“I decided to serve voluntary conscription period primarily because of my father, who works as a pyrotechnician, and that is my greatest motivation and it is an honor for me to be in Croatian Army,” she said, and emphasized: “I invite all young people to join the army and take a chance at this challenge, because it is truly an honour to serve the Homeland and be loyal to it.”

State Secretary Hrg: With this oath you have taken a big step and I hope that after completing your training you will join the Croatian Army

On behalf of Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence Ivan Anušić, State Secretary at the Ministry of Defence Branko Hrg congratulated the conscripts on taking the oath, expressing contentment with increased interest among young people in voluntary military training.

“I am happy to see young people in this square who have made a decision to voluntarily complete their training. With this oath, you have taken a big step and I hope that after completing your training, you will join the Croatian Armed Forces,” the State Secretary said to the gathered conscript. He emphasized that the Ministry of Defence, as before, will continue to improve the substantive rights of Croatian soldiers as well as to equip and invest in the Croatian Army, guided by the fact that the man is the most important part of the Croatian Army.

General Kundid: Face the challenges of training with faith in yourself and determination

Congratulating the conscripts on their decision to undergo voluntary military training, the Chief of the CAF General Staff LTG Tihomir Kundid said that today’s act of taking the oath represents a solemn promise of loyalty to the Homeland as well as respect for the law and ethical norms.

“The experience, knowledge and skills you will gain here will ennoble and toughen you. The military profession is not easy, it is a continuous process of training and learning. The Croatian Army is not only an armed force, but also a guarantor of peace and security of the Croatian people. That is why military profession is also an opportunity for professional development of young people and a place where you can find your area of interest,” he said.

General Kundid added that he believes most of the conscripts will decide to sign a professional contract and become active duty military personnel after the eight-week training. He said that today’s military organization is high-tech and as such attractive to young people. It also provides education, advancement in service like nowhere else, and also financial security.

“With faith in yourself and determination face the challenges of the training ahead of you. I wish you a lot of luck and success in this and I invite you to become an integral part of our Armed Forces”, LTG Tihomir Kundid said.

In addition to female and male conscripts, their family members and friends, commanders and instructors, the ceremonial oath-taking was attended by the President of the Republic of Croatia and Commander-in-Chief of the Croatian Armed Forces Zoran Milanović, the envoy of the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence Ivan Anušić, State Secretary Branko Hrg, Chief of the CAF General Staff LTG Tihomir Kundid, Commander of the Croatian Army MG Blaž Beretin, Commander of the Fran Krsto Frankopan Training and Doctrine Command Colonel Dražen Batrnek, Commander of the “123rd Brigade of the Croatian Army” barracks and the Logistics Training and Doctrine Centre Colonel Mile Valentić, and Commander of Damir Tomljanović Gavran NCO School Colonel Stjepan Krešić.

About voluntary military training

This year’s first cycle of voluntary military training lasts 40 working days and ends on 9 April 2025. The intensive training that conscripts undergo includes handling weapons, physical preparation, tactical training, and basic military skills.

Voluntary conscripts who successfully complete the training receive the military occupation specialty (MOS) of a marksman (11A) and are qualified for the duty of an infantry marksman. This fulfils one of the prescribed conditions for admission to active duty military service.

Since the beginning of introduction of voluntary military training in 2008, 11,787 conscripts have completed training in voluntary military training, of which 10,100 are men and 1,687 are women.