Commissioning of cadets of the Croatian Defence Academy

The commissioning of the cadets of the Croatian Defence Academy “Dr. Franjo Tuđman” was held in the Barracks “Petar Zrinski” in Zagreb on 8 November 2019.

Cadets of the 12th and the 13th generation of undergraduate and graduate studies

“Military Engineering” and “Military Management” have been commissioned as 2nd lieutenants and were awarded the officer poniards and the assignment decisions.

The award ceremony was attended by the Croatian Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Damir Krstičević, by the Chief of the General Staff of the Croatian Armed Forces General Mirko Šundov, by the Commander of the Croatian Defence Academy “Dr. Franjo Tuđman” Major General Mate Pađen, by the Special Advisor to the Defence Minister Božo Kožul and other visitors.

Minister Krstičević: “Welcome to the family of the victorious Croatian Armed Forces!”

The Defence Minister Damir Krstičević congratulated the cadets: “Having received your commissions, continue to believe in yourselves, work and lead the soldiers by your own example”.

The Minister reminded of the sacrifice and feats of the heroes of the Homeland War – Predrag Matanović, Andrija Matijaš Pauk and Blago Zadro – and called on the cadets to look up to them in their future careers.

“It is our duty to continue promoting the true values on which the victorious Croatian Armed Forces and free Croatia were based. I am always happy to welcome young and competent soldiers, who bring fresh energy into the system and will contribute to future development and strengthening of the Croatian Armed Forces, born from the unity between the Croatian people and defenders”.

Development of the education system – the Croatian Defence Academy to grow into University of Defence and Security “Dr. Franjo Tuđman”

The Minister praised the developing military education system and of the Croatian Defence Academy ilitary College, whose foundations date back to 1991, the minister stressed that in the coming period, the Croatian military education system would be further improved by the conversion of the Croatian Military College into the Defence and Security University “Dr. Franjo Tuđman”.

The Minister underlined the human resources as the biggest asset of the Croatian Armed Forces, restored during the office of the present Government.

The Commander of the Croatian Defence Academy “Dr. Franjo Tuđman” Major General Mate Pađen congratulated to the cadets on the graduation on behalf of the Academy and on his personal behalf, saying: “Today you are becoming professional soldiers and members of the Croatian Armed Forces, which are the foundation of security and survival of our homeland”.

General Šundov: “Serving the homeland in the military is a major honour and responsibility”

“As Chief of the General Staff, I place trust in young soldiers. Your decision to serve the people and the homeland is a major honour, and responsibility. I wish to thank your parents and other people who supported your decision.
General Šundov also called on the new officers to fulfill the tasks assigned in their respective units, to honourably serve the homeland, and to act as moral officers and commanders ready to address challenges and sacrify themselves, to protect people and property, to promote an equal opportunity system, to work to upgrade the defence system and hone their personal abilities and capabilities of the Croatian Armed Forces”.

General Pađen: “Today you have been commissioned into the Croatian Armed Forces, which are backbone of the security of our homeland”

In his address the Commander of the Croatian Defence Academy “Dr. Franjo Tuđman” Major General Mate Pađen congratulated the cadets on their behalf and on behalf of the Academy staff on their graduation: “Today you are becoming professional soldiers, regular members of the Croatian Armed Forces, the backbone of security and survival of our homeland”.

He said that the studies at the Academy entailed academic subjects and military-specific subjects and the opportunity to enrich moral and ethical principles necessary for successul leadership”

2nd Lieutenant Ivan Lovrić said “It is an honour and a privilege to join the family of the victorious Croatian Army and to be given an opportunity to command and implement the skills we had been taught”.

2nd Lieutenant Mihaela Živković said: “I am honoured to serve my homeland and nurture the heritage of the Croatian defenders. I learned about the Cadet Programme of the Academy while still in the elementary school and I decided to apply”

The ceremony featured a video about the Cadet Battalion, depicting the cadets everyday life and education, and a performance by the Croatian Armed Forces Orchestra.

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