Almost 200 new military professionals swear their Oath of Allegiance at Martin base

194 trainee soldiers, 55 women included, have completed a passing out parade to mark the end of their seven-week-long initial military training (IMT) at the Training and Mobilisation Replenishment Base Martin. Deputy Defence Minister Marian Majer and Deputy Chief of Defence Lt Gen Ľubomír Svoboda came to congratulate them on their pledge committing to hold themselves to the highest moral and ethical standards.

Deputy Defence Minister Marian Majer said: "In order to protect the sovereignty and independence of the Slovak Republic, you have pledged to put in all your efforts and even sacrifice your own lives, which is the highest commitment and the ultimate sacrifice one can make in the line of duty. This commitment involves protecting each and every Slovak citizen. Thank you for choosing this job, even with all the risks and pitfalls it brings."

This is the second intake to SVK regular forces this year. 463 young soldiers, the highest number of soldiers to pass out of initial training on a single day in the history of the Slovak Armed Forces, took the Oath of Allegiance earlier this February.

After completing the IMT, the soldiers will move on to branch-specialised training. On their successful completion, they will report to military units of the Slovak Armed Forces.