Today, a ceremony was held at the Military Academy "General Mihailo Apostolski" where 36 cadets from the 26th class and 1 cadet who graduated from the United States Military Academy "West Point", were promoted to their first officer rank - second lieutenant, and 16 students from the Course for Professional Training and Specialization for Officers for the Army Services were promoted to the rank of first lieutenant.
Today's ceremony was addressed by Defence Minister Vlado Misajlovski, who told the new officers in the Army that their promotion was a new additional energy and an investment in the future of the Macedonian Army and in the security of the country.
“This day represents the pinnacle of your four years of perseverance, but also the beginning of even greater achievements. From today onwards you are officers – leaders, bearers of the country’s trust and guardians of the highest values upon which every professional Army rests", said Misajlovski.
Minister Misajlovski emphasized that with today's promotion, the officer corps was enriched with young, motivated and ambitious people who, during their education, had built mutual trust, respect and friendship, values that would represent the basis for their professional careers as well as for jointly addressing contemporary security challenges.
"Being an officer means setting an example for everyone. From today, it is you who will be recognized for your diligence, honesty, integrity, for making difficult decisions when most needed, for taking responsibility when others hesitate, and for your ability to put the interests of your country and your soldiers before your own interests", emphasized Misajlovski.
The Dean of the Military Academy, Colonel Nenad Taneski, in his address to the attendees emphasized: "In a time of rapid technological change, information revolution, artificial intelligence and new security challenges, knowledge, leadership and the ability to make the right decisions are the most powerful weapons of the modern officer. Therefore, the development of the Military Academy, the advancement of the teaching process, scientific research, international cooperation, and the creation of modern conditions for education are not just a necessity - they are a strategic investment in the future of the Army."
He took this opportunity to express his gratitude to the members of the armed forces of Bosnia and Herzegovina and Montenegro, as well as their families. "We thank you for the trust you have placed in us, entrusting us with the education and professional development of your future officers. This is an honour for the Military Academy and a confirmation of its reputation as a regional center for military education."
First Lieutenant Marija Nedeva, ranked first among the cadets, underlined that as a generation, during their studies they learned that success was not only the result of individual effort, but of teamwork, discipline, and dedication, as well.
Today, 37 cadets were promoted to second lieutenants, 30 of whom were for the needs of the Macedonian Army, 2 from Montenegro and 5 from Bosnia and Herzegovina, and 16 first lieutenant, students who completed the Professional Training and Specialization Course for Officers of the Army Services.
The ceremony was attended by the Chief of the General Staff, Major General Sashko Lafchiski, the Minister of Sports, Borko Ristovski, the Minister of Digital Transformation, Stefan Andonovski, the Commander of the Training and Doctrine Command, Brigadier General Lulzim Nuredini, as well as representatives of the military-diplomatic corps from Bosnia and Herzegovina and Montenegro, representatives of the local self-government and other senior ranking guests from the Ministry and the Army.
