9th generation of voluntary conscripts sworn-in
Oath ceremony of the ninth generation of soldiers on voluntary military service was held today, Saturday, 6 October 2012, in the Center for Basic Training in Požega. Solemn oath took 288 volunteers, including 28 women.
The oath ceremony was attended by the Defence Minister Ante Kotromanović, also the envoy of the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Croatian Armed Forces, Chief of General Staff Lieutenant General Drago Lovrić and other representatives of the Armed Forces and Ministry of Defence, City of Požega and Požega-Slavonia County, and of Association from Homeland War.
Congratulating the voluntary conscripts on given oath, envoy of the President, Defence Minister Ante Kotromanović in his speech pointed out that precisely by these words spoken conscripts decided for vocation, in which the principal task will be the defence of the sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of the Republic of Croatia. The Minister also added that the mere presence on this place speaks that all have the necessary prerequisites for one day to become the Croatian soldiers, NCOs and officers, but also that with this it was certainly necessary to include patriotism, motivation, desire, perseverance and diligence. The Minister stressed that from the present but also from the future members of the Croatian Armed Forces we expected only the best, and said that he wanted to see the Croatian soldiers, sailors and pilots, who with their training and equipment credit us all. Minister Kotromanović at the end wished voluntary conscripts to successfully pass the training, and that they meet again in the future as active members of the Croatian Armed Forces.
Chief of General Staff Lieutenant General Drago Lovrić also addressed the volunteer conscripts and congratulated them. He noted that the Armed Forces were proud to have a growing number of young people who want to serve the military. He also pointed out that in the process of its transformation, CAF strive to develop its skills based on the clear value system, based on honour, integrity and loyalty to the Homeland. CAF will strengthen its human capital through education and training, and new generation of soldiers, NCOs and officers, and their willingness and patriotism will be the foundations for further development of the Croatian Armed Forces.
The ninth generation of voluntary conscripts started with the voluntary service on 21 September 2012. Voluntary military service provides basic military knowledge and skills necessary to participate in the defence of the Republic of Croatia, and thus conscripts are prepared and trained to carry out tasks in the units of the Croatian Armed Forces. It is also a requirement for admission to active military service.
Voluntary military service is conducted twice per year, in the spring and fall, and lasts for eight weeks. The recruits are trained in basic and specialized military knowledge and in infantry skills related. Voluntary military service is opened on equal conditions to men and women.
Up to now, in 8th generations, voluntary military service training program was successfully completed by 2168 voluntary recruits, of whom 1937 men and 231 women.