Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Anušić attends the ceremony of awarding the first officer rank to future officers with medical military occupational specialty

On Thursday, November 23, 2023 Defence Minister Ivan Anušić attended the solemn ceremony at the Croatian Defence Academy in Zagreb held to award the first officer rank and to deliver decisions on admission to active duty military service to the 10th and 15th generations of the Basic Officer Course graduates with medical military occupational specialty.

Minister Anušić used the opportunity to congratulate the officers with medical occupational specialty on receiving their first officer rank, expressing his respect for their decision to join the Croatian Armed Forces and to build their life and career as a service member.” There are many occupations and many professions, but there are few that we call vocations. “Your profession as a doctor, a nurse and a military officer is very noble, and is a source of pride for the Croatian people,” the minister said.

He pointed out that the Croatian Armed Forces as a whole is an environment that encourages the adoption of new skills and capabilities as well as daily advancement in the professional and personal fields. He recalled the Croatian war veterans who taught us that there were no insurmountable obstacles and no deviations: “You follow the path treaded by our veterans, who having faith in God and wearing rosaries around their necks, defended and liberated our homeland.”

Minister Anušić added that he would invest efforts to continue with further strengthening of soldier training, living and working conditions because strengthening the Croatian Armed Forces will contribute to strengthening the Croatian people and our country.

“You as members of the Croatian Armed Forces will always come first because a motivated and satisfied Croatian soldier is a superb soldier,” the minister concluded.
In the end, the minister told the new officers of the Croatian Armed Forces not to give up their desire for advancement and training, both in the medical and in the military profession.

Commander-in-Chief of the Croatian Armed Forces and President of the Republic of Croatia Zoran Milanović wished the new officers a successful career, reminding them that they had chosen a good calling. “What you have achieved today as new officers of the Croatian Armed Forces is the peak of your medical profession”, the Croatian President said, adding that in today’s challenging times being part of the military system is no small matter.

Reminding that the military profession is sometimes difficult and carries many challenges and opportunities, Chief of the CAF General Staff Admiral Robert Hranj pointed out: “I invite you to bravely face the challenges and to use the opportunities that open up to you during your career”.

In his address, Croatian Defence Academy Commandant Major General Slaven Zdilar recalled the Homeland War in which medical personnel played a major role in protecting, preserving and saving the lives of Croatian soldiers on the front lines of defence: “Military service is not only a job, but also a calling that requires renunciation, discipline, loyalty and values that should guide you throughout your career”.

Second Lieutenant Bernarda Pejić, the Master of Nursing, said that this was a big day for her, adding that she expects an intense and interesting work in the military. “The Croatian Armed Forces provide a continuous progress both in medicine and in the military, which was my main motivation to decide to take this step,” she said.

First Lieutenant Dragan Pervan, Doctor of Medicine, said that by joining the Croatian Armed Forces and combining these two callings, he achieved the completeness that he wanted.” I expect dynamism and adrenaline rush at work, and I’m certain I’ll get that in the military,” he concluded.

Seven doctors of medicine, one doctor of dental medicine and one master in nursing sent for military training from the labour market, including one bachelor in nursing from the CAF were admitted to active duty military service.

Officers with medical occupational specialty will be assigned to CAF units in Zagreb, Varaždin, Petrinja, Karlovac, Knin, Zemunik, Split, Vinkovci and Požega.

Basic Officer Course for military specialists and Basic Officer Course for officers with medical occupational specialties were conducted from September 25 to November 23, 2023 in accordance with the curriculum of the first level of progressive officer education of medical occupational specialties including two modules: general and specialist.