The 17th generation of cadets take oath of enlistment in Knin

The town of Knin on 21 September 2019 hosted the formal oath-taking ceremony of the 17th generation of cadets of the Croatian Defence Academy “Dr. Franjo Tuđman”.

The 17th generation of cadets comprised 122 cadets (86 cadets of the 6th generation of undergraduate university studies Military Engineering and Military Management, 28 cadets of the 2nd generation of integrated university studies of Military Maritime Studies and eight pilot cadets), one attendee from the Ministry of Maritime Affairs, Transportation and Infrastructure and 16 cadets from the partner countries (Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro and the Republic of Kosovo).

The formal ceremony was attended by the Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Damir Krstičević, by the Defence and National Security Advisor to the President of the Republic Zrinko Petener, by the Deputy Prefect of the Šibenik-Knin County Darija Puljić as Envoy of the Speaker of the Croatian Parliament, by the Chief of the General Staff of the Croatian Armed Forces General Mirko Šundov, by the Deputy Chief of the General Staff Lieutenant General Drago Matanović, by the advisors to the Minister and the commanders of the services of the Croatian Armed Forces, by the Mayor of Knin Marko Jelić, by the representatives of the academic community and of the military diplomatic corps.

Pilot cadets perform flypast honouring the oath

The beret award ceremony in the Knin Fortress was followed by the cadets line-up in the Dinara Football Club stadium: the cadets took the formal oath of enlistment, following the invitation from the Cadet Battalion Captain Hrvoje Šimleša. The oath was graced with the flypast in Pilatus PC 9 aircraft by cadet pilots supervised by their instructors.

The oath-taking ceremony returns to Knin

Minister Krstičević to cadets : Knin is the symbol of victory and strength of the Croatian Armed Forces

The Defence Minister forwarded the Prime Minister’s congratulations, and expressed appreciation to the cadets from the partner countries for their trust and ambition to attend the Croatian Defence Academy’s studies programmes.

“Knin is the symbol of the victory in the Homeland War and symbol of the strength of the victorious Croatian Army”. The Minister praised the return of the oath-taking ceremony to Knin after nine years and of the graduation ceremony to Vukovar respectively, as the two towns were symbols of the modern Croatian Armed Forces.

The Minister also expressed his belief in the cadets’ success, and told them to be proud of their decision to join the Croatian Armed Forces.

The Minister expressed belief in the cadets and told them to be proud of their decision, and of joining the system, which centered primarily on man.

“The Ministry of Defence and the Croatian Armed Forces owe their victories to the members’s patriotism, will, knowledge and experience, as the foundation for patriotism, will, knowledge and experience. This is the foundation on which every success is built and wins are achieved. In addition to all the human virtues and qualities that underlie the character of a Croatian soldier, success depends largely on knowledge. Knowledge is the key to constantly enhancing the most valuable potential of all branches of the Croatian Army”, the minister said.

Minister to cadets: Lead by your own example

“The Croatian Armed Forces have cherished excellency in every aspect”, said the Minister.
Lead with your own example! Keep the positive attitude despite the difficulties you may come across and follow your dream, keeping memory of the heroes of the Homeland War.

The Envoy of the President of the Republic Zrinko Petener congratulated the cadets on choosing the military career : “You have joined the victorious military; you make an essential link in future development of the Croatian Armed Forces. Strive for excellence, honour and victory bequeathed to you by your predecessors“.

The Chief of the General Staff of the Croatian Armed Forces said that by taking the oath of service the cadets committed to honourable and professional service, and that they chose the most honourable and the noblest service to the homeland and its citizens.

General Šundov reminded of the years-long co-operation between the Croatian Defence Academy “Dr. Franjo Tuđman” and the research community.

General called on the cadets to nurture reasonableness, courage, commitment, generosity, humility and faith and expressed belief that they were the future leaders, who chose the honour, honesty and service to the homeland“.

Vice Rector of the University of Zagreb: You opted attractive and quality study programmes

Speaking on behalf of the Rector of the University of Zagreb, Vice Rector of the University of Zagreb Ivana Čuković-Bagić stated that the programmes they chose were interesting and administered by excellent teachers and military scholars.

The Commander of the Croatian Defence Academy “Dr. Franjo Tuđman” Major General Mate Pađen congratulated the cadets for choosing a military career and attending the military study programmes.

”You are commencing your studies and entering the armed forces with the oath you are taking today. The duty of the officer of the victorious Croatian Armed Forces is both a great honour and a responsibility.

Maj. Gen. Pađen also announced continuation of the military study programmes with the universities of Zagreb and Split and the launching of the graduate specialist study programme in Homeland Security and reorganisation of the Croatian Defence Academy into a Defence and Security University.

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