Winners of Military Act of the Year 2025 Awards announced

A gala evening was held on the occasion of the 29th edition of the Military Act of the Year Awards at the Ministry of Defence in Bratislava on Tuesday 21 April 2026. At the awards ceremony, the laureates from among the nominees received their Awards, in the presence of President of the Slovak Republic and Commander-in-Chief of the Slovak Armed Forces Peter Pellegrini, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence Robert Kaliňák, other most senior MOD and Armed Forces representatives, guests of honour including WW2 veterans, and the serving men and women of the Armed Forces.

The Military Act of the Year Awards are proof that values ​​such as courage, honour, service and humanity are alive and in action around the Slovak Armed Forces. The Ministry of Defence extends its gratitude and appreciation to all those who, by their example, have helped to build and maintain public trust in the Armed Forces.

The aim of the Awards is to recognise and celebrate the good deeds of our service personnel and citizens, who, with their humane character, moral authority and personal sacrifice, go above and beyond their roles and spread the positive values associated with service in the Forces and patriotism.

The stories of the nominees and winners – often capturing acts of courage in emergency situations as well as the civilian sector’s long-term cooperation with the Forces – prove that values ​​such as courage and togetherness still have a strong place in our society and inspire others to act decisively and take responsibility when challenges arise.

The MOD is aware of the importance of building a positive image of the Armed Forces in the eyes of civilian populations. Also through the Military Act of the Year Awards, it seeks to bring the outstanding work of service personnel closer to the public, showing that active duty service is not just about defending the country, but it is also about serving others in everyday life.

Nominations for the Awards were submitted by military and civilian personnel from across the entirety of Defence and members of the public. The winners – decided by a panel of judges, chaired by President and Commander-in-Chief Peter Pellegrini, comprising most senior MOD and Armed Forces leaders – were presented accolades in four traditional categories: Rescue of Life, A Friend of the Armed Forces, Assistance to the Public, and Service to the Country.

2025 RESCUE OF LIFE AWARD

Private First Class Štefan Sčešňak, member of 64 Unmanned Aircraft Systems and Electronic Warfare Battalion Prešov, 22 Reconnaissance Regiment Prešov

In the village of Demjata where he lives, PFC Štefan Sčešňak acted without hesitation to save the life of his neighbour who found himself in a life-threatening situation on 18 December 2025. Thanks to his life-saving skills, quick assessment of the situation and decisive action, he provided first aid to the victim and coordinated further steps until the arrival of the ambulance service. This act of saving a life is proof that PFC Štefan Sčešňak epitomizes our Armed Force’s core values of service to the country, protection of life and assistance to citizens not only while on duty, but also in his civilian life. His act of saving a life deserves public recognition and makes him worthy of the Military Act of the Year Award.

2025 FRIEND OF THE ARMED FORCES AWARD

Jan Dašovský, founder and director of RAF House Museum, Ivančice, Czech Republic

Jan Dašovský has long been actively involved in preserving military history, spreading the legacy of the Czechoslovak RAF airmen in WW2, and building a positive relationship between the public and the Armed Forces. His work goes far beyond ordinary business activity. With deep respect and enthusiasm, he is dedicated to commemorating the heroism of those who fought for freedom in WW2. As the founder of the General Emil Boček RAF House Museum in Ivančice, Czech Republic, he created a great place with unique ambiance where military history, aviation and patriotism come together. As part of this project, he built the RAF House Museum, which is a worthy tribute to the Czechoslovak RAF airmen. Thanks to his efforts and cooperation with veterans, historians and military organisations, the RAF House has become a vibrant centre for the popularisation of military history. In addition, he has been an active supporter of the aviation community and aeromodelling as a sport, thereby encouraging a new generation of aviation and military enthusiasts. Working closely with military units, he also participates in organising events to promote the Armed Forces, raising awareness of their role in history and in present.

2025 ASSISTANCE TO THE PUBLIC AWARD

Colonel Patrik Paulovčík, Commander of 2 Air Force Brigade Zvolen and airmen and airwomen of 2 Air Force Brigade Zvolen

In 2025, airmen and airwomen of 2 Air Force Brigade Zvolen once again showed that the uniform was valued not only as a symbol of strength, but also as a symbol of humanity and togetherness. Their activities throughout the year brought joy where it was most needed. Among them was a fundraiser for the Children’s Faculty Hospital and Polyclinic in Banská Bystrica. As part of their Christmas charity appeal, an amount of €5,200 was raised and handed over to the hospital on 16 December 2025. The hospital will use the funds to purchase a dialysis machine in order to facilitate the treatment of child patients and improve the quality of healthcare. Members of the Brigade did not limit themselves to financial support only, but also made material donations of children’s clothes, pillows and other small items for the youngest patients. In addition, they annually honour the memory of their deceased colleague – MSgt Vladimír Kollár – with a symbolic 3,800m cross-country run dubbed the “Master Sergeant Vladimír Kollár Memorial Field Run”, while at the same time holding a fundraiser for the surviving family as an expression of solidarity. Last but not least, members of the Brigade help their former colleague, Corporal Martin Bruňo, who has been confined to a wheelchair as a result of a car accident.

2025 SERVICE TO THE COUNTRY AWARD

Master Sergeant Peter, member of 5 Special Forces Regiment Žilina

MSgt Peter has long been engaged in activities to promote recruitment into our Armed Forces and present the Armed Forces not only as part of his work duties, but also, to a large extent, beyond his official working hours, often during days that he would otherwise devote to his family or free time pursuits. His personal initiative, responsibility and ability to organise and lead presentations on the Armed Forces deliver a real, measurable impact with concrete results to the benefit of the Slovak Armed Forces. On his own initiative, MSgt Peter seeks out opportunities, coordinates presentations, and ensures the military’s engagement with the public in a way that significantly increases the credibility of the Slovak Armed Forces in the eyes of our citizens and young people. He exemplifies the qualities of a dedicated service member who, through his personal initiative, commitment to work and representation of the Regiment and the Forces, truly contributes to increasing recruitment into our Forces and strengthening public trust in the Slovak Armed Forces. Most importantly, his approach is of real benefit to the military and is measurable in the number of contacts, activities and applications to join the Slovak Armed Forces.