Fourth generation of voluntary conscripts swear-in

The ceremony was attended by the representative of Chief of General Staff of the Croatian Armed Forces, Commander of the Army, Lieutenant General Mladen Kruljac, Deputy Army Commander Brigadier General Zvonko Peternel, Chief of Army Staff Brigadier General Alojz Tomasevic, representative of the defence minister Director for Human Resources Directorate Nenad Smolcec, as well as other representatives of the Armed Forces and MOD.

Representative of the Minister of Defence, Director of Human Resources Directorate Nenad Smolcec in his speech said that this generation of voluntary conscripts would have its full affirmation in the NATO system, together with the most modern armies of the world.

Congratulating the voluntary conscripts on the given oath, Lieutenant General Mladen Kruljac said that international cooperation and joint work in NATO contributes to peace and security worldwide. “We know that by joining NATO, the Croatian Armed Forces took the obligation to raise its standards and to make the maximum effort to be recognized in NATO as a reliable and responsible partner”, General Kruljac said. He also stressed that the highest priority is given to the process of CAF training, as a key factor in achieving the required levels for the implementation of all tasks.

250 candidates joined the voluntary military service in Pozega, among whom 220 men and 30 women. In the first two weeks of voluntary service, 21 voluntary conscripts dropped the training. 229, including 25 women, within the next six weeks will go through a basic and specialized training in Pozega.

Besides the fourth generation, which will end its voluntary military service June 17, a fifth generation of 250 conscripts is expected to start with voluntary service in September 2010.