President Milanović Presents First Officers’ Ranks to 14th Generation Graduates of Basic Officer Training: We are proud of you and your choice
At a ceremony held today in the Office of the President of the Republic, the President of the Republic and Commander in Chief of the Croatian Armed Forces Zoran Milanović presented officer’s ranks to the 14th generation graduates of the Basic Officer Training Course – Health Services section Major Maja Vida, First Lieutenant Marko Šabulić, Second Lieutenant Bernarda Bebić and Second Lieutenant Fabijan Biondić.
In his address at the ceremony, President Milanović congratulated the officers, their family members and friends, telling the officers that he appreciates the choice they made. “You have an interesting career ahead of you and I appreciate that you have chosen this difficult calling. In the times in which we live, think and observe the world around us, especially during the last year, it is increasingly difficult to motivate young people to join the military and choose the military profession. It is not just our challenge. It is the challenge of all Western countries and Western armies. Such are the times,” said the President.
He underscored that an interesting life awaits them, pointing out that the military career is a calling and more than just a profession. “It is a hierarchical system. It is up to us, the state, those who are here today and those who will in a democracy come after us, to ensure good working conditions for you, so you do not regret your choice – especially when it comes to things that are within our capabilities, within our financial capability as a state,” said President Milanović.
“On the one hand, it is the responsibility of the state, and on the other hand, it is your responsibility – because, rights without responsibilities do not exist. A society based on the idea that there are rights without responsibilities will not last long. A society where responsibilities are valued, and where rights are respected, is a society that has solid foundations that will last. Such a society has a future. We all see the future in you. We are proud of you, of your choice,” concluded the President of the Republic and Commander in Chief of the Croatian Armed Forces.
Ranks, officer’s daggers, certificates and credentials certifying the completion of the first officer training level were presented to the graduates by President Milanović, the Chief of the General Staff of the Croatian Armed Forces Admiral Robert Hranj and the Deputy Commander of the Dr. Franjo Tuđman Croatian Defence Academy Brigadier General Blaž Beretin. The ceremony was also attended by the Commander of Support Command Lieutenant General Mladen Fuzul, Assistant Chief of the General Staff of the Croatian Armed Forces for Health Major General Boris Zdilar, Head of the Petar Zrinski Military Schools Centre Colonel Damir Stručić and the Commander of the Andrija Matijaš Pauk Officers’ School Colonel Mirko Stošić.
President Milanović was accompanied by the Adviser to the President of the Republic for Defense Ivica Olujić, Adviser to the President of the Republic for National Security Dragan Lozančić, Special Adviser to the President of the Republic for Homeland War Veterans Marijan Mareković and the Head of the Military Office in the Cabinet for Defense and National Security of the Office of the President Rear Admiral Predrag Stipanović.
PHOTO: Office of the President of the Republic of Croatia / Dario Andrišek