Promotions, medals and commendations on occasion of CAF Day

The ceremony was attended by the Prime Minister Jadranka Kosor, the envoy of the President and Commander in Chief of the Croatian Armed Forces Defence Minister Davor Bozinovic, Chief of General Staff Lieutenant General Drago Lovric and other senior civilian and military officials.

By the decision of the President 135 members of the Defence Ministry and Croatian Armed Forces, of which 18 women were promoted. A total of 75 lower and 59 senior officers were promoted, and one to the rank of Rear Admiral (LH). Among the officers promoted to the rank of colonel was Gordana Garasic. To the rank of Navy Captain was promoted Marinko Mocan while Robert Hranj was promoted to the rank of Rear Admiral (LH). President awarded Lieutenant General Slavko Baric, Lieutenant General Darko Grdic and Rear Admiral Zdenko Simicic with the Order of Duke Branimir with Necklace and praised 6 CAF members.

Prime Minister Jadranka Kosor also congratulated members of the Croatian Armed Forces. “Your personal commitment was recognized, a desire to make one more step. You were praised for your contribution in building the defence system. Thank you for that”, Kosor said. He recalled the veterans who gave their lives and health and stressed that it was due to them for us to do our work better. PM welcomed and expressed its deep appreciation to our soldiers in international missions. “The efforts of the Government will continue to focus on improving your position and conditions of your work regardless of the crisis”, said PM Kosor.

“Dear members of the Armed Forces, you incorporated your invaluable experience gained in the Homeland War, that winning spirit of the unique Croatia in the creation of a modern defence system, in the upgrading of knowledge and in the achievement of new standards”, Minister Bozinovic said congratulating on behalf of the President and on his own behalf the promoted members of the Croatian Armed Forces. He noted that the manner in which our soldiers represent Croatia in the missions and operations around the world was to everyone’s pride. There they showed their professionalism, ability to fulfil all the tasks, but specifically for us, the understanding of people. “We are proud of you and your 20 years, we are proud of your achievements”, Bozinovic concluded.

Chief of General Staff Lieutenant General Drago Lovric also congratulated the promoted and decorated CAF members. He noted that today the Armed Forces were part of the defence system that protect the independence and sovereign integrity of Croatia, but also active in international missions where they were recognized for their knowledge, expertise and commitment. “We can and must be proud of our military. Our permanent responsibility is building a system which will foster the principle of advancement based on personal achievements and knowledge”, General Lovric said.

Awards and commendations of the Minister of Defence and Chief of General Staff were also presented at the ceremony.

Rear Admiral (LH) Robert Hranj thanked on behalf of the promoted, awarded and commended CAF members. “For all of us this has a special meaning because we are celebrating 20 years of CAF. We have achieved great results, come a long way, but our job of building the armed forces is not yet finished and will never be”, Rear Admiral Hranj said. He thanked everyone who helped out in their work since, as he said, without working together individual results would be significantly less.