Service in the armed forces viewed as mission and commitment towards Slovakia

State Secretary of SVK Ministry of Defence Miloš Koterec graced with his presence the passing-out ceremony of cadets and graduation ceremony of graduates of the Armed Forces Academy of Gen Milan Rastislav Štefánik in Liptovský Mikuláš. Having successfully completed the military cadet program and the three-year-bachelor studies, altogether 49 graduates were promoted to the first CO rank of Lieutenant.

SVK President Andrej Kiska emphasized the unique role of the Armed Forces Academy in Liptovský Mikuláš in promoting education in the field of security and defence. “Inspiring students to serve their homeland. Encouraging and fostering the values like duty, responsibility, honour and the best interests of the native country, hence enabling the country to assume its primary role and perform its primary task, which is defence and security of its citizens,” said the President.

According to State Secretary of MOD Miloš Koterec, the SVK Armed Forces need qualified, competent and efficient personnel, „able to meet the high demands, since a career of a professional soldier is primarily sort of a mission, and, at the same time, a commitment towards the Slovak Republic.“ 

State Secretary handed over the Award of the SVK Minister of Defence to the best cadet and the Badge of Chief of the SVK General Staff, 3rd Grade, to the second best cadet. The passing-out ceremony was followed by a graduation ceremony. „We are glad that, within a few days, the new officers will swell the ranks of the Armed Forces of the Slovak Republic, ready to serve in the individual units, formations and facilities, bringing along a new wave of energy“ stated Lt Gen Peter Gajdoš, First Deputy Chief of the General Staff of the SVK Armed Forces.

At the entry to the Armed Forces Academy, a bust of Gen Milan Rastislav Štefánik was solemnly revealed.