The 27^th anniversary of the establishment of Croatian Defence Academy “Dr. Franjo Tuđman” was marked with a graduation ceremony of cadets in military study programmes in Hall “Zvonimir” at the Ministry of Defence on the 19^th December.

The ceremony began with a film about the Croatian Defence Academy’s 27-year history, after which meritorious employees of the academy were awarded, commended and promoted. The highlight was the graduation ceremony of the 12^th generation of cadets, also the first generation of cadets enrolled into study programmes Military Engineering and Military Leadership and Management. Diplomas were handed out to 82 cadets and Cadet Sergeant First Class Rafael Šubat was chosen as valedictorian. Šubat also received the transitional cadet sabre.

The event was attended by Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Damir Krstičević, who also acted as an envoy of the President of the Republic of Croatian and the Commander-in-Chief of the Croatian Armed Forces as well as the Prime Minister, the Chief of General Staff of the Croatian Armed Forces General Mirko Šundov, State Secretary for Defence Zdravko Jakop, the Deputy Chief of General Staff of the Croatian Armed Forces Lieutenant General Drago Matanović, the Director of the General Staff of the Croatian Armed Forces Robeert Hranj, the Chief Defence Inspector Major General Mate Pađen, the Commander of the Croatian Defence Academy Major General Mate Pađen, the Vicar General of the Military Ordinariate of Croatia Marko Medo, the Rector of the University of Zagreb Damir Boras, the Rector of the Catholic University of Croatia Željko Tanjić, the representatives of the Ministry of Defence, Croatian Armed Forces and academia, families Bobetko, Tomljanović, Tuđman and Zadro as well as the cadets’ friends and families.

Minister Krstičević recalled how the Croatian Defence Academy greatly contributed to the education of the Croatian defenders in the Homeland War and called upon the present guests to keep that memory alive: “A nation which forgets its past has no future. We must speak of the past for the cadets’ sake, for they are the heirs of the defenders.”

Speaking to the cadets, Minister Krstičević encouraged them to serve honourably to their nation in the continuation of their careers. ”By accepting the military calling, you have chosen a difficult but honourable life path. I greatly admire you for that, as do the people of Croatia,” Minister Krstičević said and added: “I expect that you will contribute to the development of the Croatian Armed Forces on your new duties. Be brave and believe in yourselves. You are the future of our armed forces.”

Minister Krstičević thanked the cadets’ parents in particular: “Thank you for teaching your sons and daughters to love and honour their homeland. Without the support of one’s family, there cannot be a strong soldier, NCO and officer.”

That the cadets have been well raised is further proven by praise from an anonymous citizen, which Minister Krstičević read at the ceremony:

“Dear Sir or Madam!

Today at about half past seven, I was travelling to work by tram #6 from British Square to Marin Držić Street. A group of roughly 30 cadets from the Croatian Armed Forces was on the same tram. I spend a great deal of my time in trams, but I rarely have an opportunity to see such well-mannered, neat, cheerful young people. You can tell from their behaviour that they spend a lot of time together and get along well. Although there were free seats on the trams, they all stood (and did not block the doors). There was no shouting or pushing. In twenty minutes that I travelled with them, I did not hear a single cursing or a rude word, which, if we are being quite honest, is a rarity these days. I thought it would be worthwhile to commend such behaviour and to thank all those who so diligently work with these young people. The results of their labour are visible.”

General Krstičević also recalled the beginnings of the Croatian Defence Academy in the Homeland War. Speaking of its future, he sent the following message: “I expect that the cadets will be heroes of knowledge and that they will use their knowledge and capabilities to win battles and demonstrate their love for their homeland. I expect their teachers will continue the development of the Croatian Defence Academy, educate leaders and instil skills and capabilities necessary for a successful professional development in them.”

General Pađen commended the cadets for the hard work they invested in their studies and encouraged them to continue going along the same path: “With your hard work and perseverance, you have shown that you are ready for the next step in your military careers. Whatever you job you take up in the defence system, you will always have an opportunity to learn something new and to gain new experiences. Be creative and become innovators in development of the Croatian Armed Forces.”

Rector Boras said he felt proud that the first generation of cadets in military study programmes graduated in the 350^th year of the University of Zagreb’s existence. He further expressed hope that his institution’s successful collaboration with the Croatian Defence Academy would continue in the future. “We want to create an intellectual, cultural and educational elite that carries its homeland in its heart. The Croatian Armed Forces are that power that promotes patriotism as well as Croatian and European culture,” Boras concluded.

The ceremony featured a musical performance by the Croatian Navy Orchestra.

Croatian Defence Academy “Dr. Franjo Tuđman” grew out of the Officers Centre, which was established in 1992 as the first institution offering education to the members of the Croatian National Guard. In 1993, the Centre was renamed to Croatian Defence Academy “Petar Zrinski”. The Academy has been carrying its current name since 2015. Its basic tasks are providing education to NCOs and officers as well as designing standards, criteria, guidelines and instructions for the education of the members of the Croatian Armed Forces. It is comprised of five schools: War College “Ban Josip Jelačić”, Command and Staff School “Blago Zadro”, Officers School “Andrija Matijaš Pauk”, NCO School “Damir Tomljanović Gavran” and Foreign Language Centre “Katarina Zrinska”.

Study programmes Military Engineering and Military Leadership and Management were developed as a joint project by the Croatian Armed Forces and the University of Zagreb. Both last eight semesters, after which cadets acquire 240 credits, a bachelor’s degree and the rank of a 2^nd Lieutenant. The study programmes have been implemented since the academic year 2014/2015, when 105 cadets were enrolled. Of that numbers, 82 cadets (46 students of Military Engineering and 36 students of Military Leadership and Management) successfully finished their studies. Past fall, 57 cadets continued their education in graduate school, while 22 cadets entered active military service.

Military Leadership and Management was Cadet Iva Bilandžić’s first and only choice of study programmes when enrolling to university. “I was always interested in and attracted to the military calling because every day on the job is different. The spectre of activities and knowledge which can be gained in the armed forces is a wide one,” she explains. In the past four years, she had an opportunity to gain a lot of theoretical knowledge. However, the application of that knowledge in camps was the best part of college experience for her. She is currently enrolled into graduate school and plans on entering active military service after earning her Master’s degree in Military Leadership and Management. When asked about the tasks she could perform in the army, she readily responds: “Whatever comes my way, I am ready for it.”

Cadet Kristijan Blažević’s first career choice was Military Engineering. He was motivated by material privileges such as a safe job and pay, but also by his father’s stories about the Homeland War and his love for Croatia. “One must be a patriot in order to do this job,” Cadet Blažević believes. He describes his college experience a dynamic, but difficult: “We had to acquire a lot of knowledge in different areas, starting with tactics and infantry and then moving onto branch subjects. It was an amazing and interesting experience.” He envisions his future in the Croatian Armed Forces and wishes to work in armoured forces, the branch he was assigned to during his studies.

Text by IVA GUGO

Photo by TOMISLAV BRANDT