Promotions in the Croatian Armed Forces

Defence Minister Ante Kotromanović extended his congratulations on the 22nd Anniversary of the Armed Forces and the Army of the Republic of Croatia, and congratulated to the promoted and awarded servicemen. “The Croatian military has done a great job through its history, which certainly made its transition from the Homeland War into a modern European force easier”, said the Minister, who also highlighted that the assignments in the current year include establishment of transparent criteria of rank assignment and general transparency of the system of entrance into and exit from the Ministry of Defence and the Armed Forces by enlisted soldiers, NCOs and officers alike. 
 
“The personnel of the Croatian Armed Forces constitutes our most important and the most valuable  resource today”, said the Chief of the General Staff, Lt. Gen. Drago Lovrić in his address and emphasized that  promotions constituted the most visible recognition in the military.

President of the Republic issued the decision on promotion of 172 meritorious officers, and Chief of the General Staff promoted 87 members of the Croatian Armed Forces.
Rear-admiral Ante Urlić has been promoted to rank of vice-admiral, Colonels   Ivica Kinder and Ivica Olujić to rank of brigadier general, whereas Navy captain Marileo Staničić has been promoted to commodore.
Lieutenant Colonel officers Mijo Ćubić, Zvonko Galić, Stjepan König, Predrag Mikulić, Željko Mustapić, Denis Tretinjak, Mijo Validžić, Anto Zelić and Nedeljko Zmajić have been promoted full colonels.

Lieutenant Commander Ivica Skejić has received promotion to rank of commander (N).
Among the Major officers promoted to rank of lieutenant colonel (Zdravko Barbarić, Danijel Biškup, Ivica Brajković, Robert Jandriš-Sačer, Ivan Jurišić, Robert Jurković, Hrvoje Luketić, Zdravko Magdić, Mato Majer, Mario Mandl, Krešimir Maras, Branko Mihaljević, Željko Mihulja, Mile Valentić and Luka Vujadinović) are also two female officers (Verica Biškić and Vesna Majić).
Furthermore, 36 officers in the rank of captains and Navy lieutenants have been promoted to rank of major and lieutenant commander (N) respectively.
47 officers in the rank of 1st lieutenant have been promoted to captain, and equivalently, one lieutenant junior grade (Navy) has been promoted to rank of lieutenant (Navy). As many as 54 2nd lieutenant officers have been promoted to rank of 1st lieutenant (and three ensigns promoted to rank of lieutenant junior grade).
Also at the occasion of the Armed Forces and the Army Day nine officers of the Armed Forces have been presented with awards and commendations by from the President of the Republic as Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces. The Commander, Maj. Gen. Dragutin Repinc, has been awarded a watch.

The commendations have been awarded to Lt. Gen. Slavko Barić, to Brig. Gen. Frane Tomičić, to (N) Captain Marin Stošić, (N) Captain Marileo Staničić, to Col. Marin Gregorović, to Lt. Col. Emilio Turina, to Lt. Col. Josip Turković and to 1st Lieutenant Damir Miljković.

Nine members of the Armed Forces have received commendations and awards by the Defence Minister of the Republic of Croatia.
Chief of the General Staff of the Croatian Armed Forces has issued a decision on promotion or commissioned 87 members – 1st Sergeants Marijan Bubanić, Krešimir Grljušić and Goran Krizmanić have been promoted to rank of sergeant majors of the Army.
Among the NCOs, 26 sergeants first class have been promoted to rank of 1st sergeant, and 33 staff sergeants to sergeants first class. Likewise, 8 sergeants have been promoted to rank of staff sergeants, and 17 corporals to sergeants.
Chief of the General Staff approved awards for 19 members of the Croatian Armed Forces and commendations for 31 members, and Deputy Chief of the General Staff for 11 members respectively.
[nggallery id=1165]