The “Hrvatski vojnik“ magazine team visited the camps at the Barracks “Josip Jović” at Udbina, at the Simulation Centre of the Barracks “Petar Zrinski” and in Sljeme ski resort. Winter camps were organised this year too in various training ranges and areas of the Croatian Armed from 9 to 20 February for the cadets attending the 1^st, 2^nd,  3^rd and 4^th-year of the study programmes “Military Management“,“Military Engineering“ and Military Maritime Studies.

A break from exams and the opportunity to acquire the abilities, knowledge and skills they will need in their military careers in the units of the Croatian Armed Forces are the main benefits of the camps attended by cadets of the Croatian Defence College “Dr. Franjo Tuđman”.

Winter camps were organised this year too in various training ranges and areas of the Croatian Armed from 9 to 20 February for the cadets attending the 1^st, 2^nd,  3^rd and 4^th-year of the study programmes “Military Management“,“Military Engineering“ and Military Maritime Studies. The “Hrvatski vojnik“ magazine team visited the camps at the Barracks “Josip Jović” at Udbina, at the Simulation Centre of the Barracks “Petar Zrinski” and in Sljeme ski resort.

At Winter Camp 2, there are a total of 91 cadets of the 16th generation of the Military Management and Military Engineering study programmes, and 58 cadets of the 1^st and 2^nd year of the Military Maritime Studies programme.

Survival training

In survival training cadets apply the acquired knowledge in tactics, command and control and topography, and the platoon leadership skills. The objective of the Winter Camp is to master basic tactical procedures to survive in winter conditions, and adapt to living and working out in the field in adverse weather conditions (low temperatures and low visibility). During the Winter Camp, cadets are familiarised with the weapons used by the special units of the Croatian Armed Forces, and with patrolling in winter conditions, and will be evaluated based on the training.

“The in-class part is co-administered with the University of Zagreb and the University of Split, while the Winter Camp is a hands-on training. Cadets develop specific military capabilities, knowledge and skills which they will use in the units of the Croatian Armed Forces. They acquire basic military skills – small arms handling, outdoor survival skills, first aid administration – and the more complex ones – the team-level, squad-level and platoon-level operation,  The cadets take on ever more complex skills and challenges as the camp unfolds“, said Captain Šimleša, the Commander of the Cadet Battalion.

A steady job

“The cadets will be assigned to their first commander posts. They will lead and take care of the subordinates and of the equipment, and here lies the difference with respect to other faculties. The Ministry of Defence of the Republic of Croatia released a recruitment notice for the “Military Management“,“Military Engineering“ and “Military Maritime Studies“ programmes, and if the last year’s turnout repeats, we will be pleased“, said the Commander of the Cadet Battalion.

The Commander of the 2^nd Platoon of the 2^nd Cadet Company 1st Lieutenant Mirela Rašić praised the cadets’ motivation, and said the camp was a welcome mid-semester diversion. 

“The cadets need to undergo training to become platoon commanders and to be aware of themselves and of the subordinates. This is the first field experience for some of them, and the first encounter with the military spirit and the attractiveness of the military service”, said 1^st Lt. Rašić.

The camp features a demanding and packed schedule: wake up time 5:30 and physical exercise in the open, followed by breakfast and training with the instructors until 12. They have lunch break until 14, and resume training until and after the dinner.

The cadets are offered both material and non-material amenities” added Captain Šimleša. They are offered accommodation, food, IT equipment and steady job in the Croatian military, as well as the opportunity for international co-operation with military academies worldwide, the opportunity to build confidence, decision making ability and leadership“, said Captain Šimleša.

Motivation for military service 

The cadets are trained by the instructors of the Primary Leadership Training Centre “Marko Babić”.

“The cadets are taught the transition from team to squad, the small untis tactics and the infantry tactics, and get used to the colleagues, to the communication in the military and to the weapons too, which is a novelty for them“, says Staff Sergeant  Branimir Utković, an instructor of the Primary Leaders Training Centre”Marko Babić“, who said he enjoyed working with the cadets as they were willing to learn and can prepare to attend the Primary Leaders Training Centre.

The Cadets attending Winter Camp 2 praised the conditions in the field and commended the  instructors of the Cadet Battalion and of the Primary Leaders Training Centre who trained both last year’s and this year’s generations of cadets.

“I chose the military career primary for patriotism, and I also think this is a most honourable professions, with many opportunities for promotion and personal growth. Speaking of the training, I want to learn as much as possible, especially from our instructors. We are honoured to have the opportunity to work with them. Many among them are veterans of the Homeland War and can pass a lot on us. Following the semester and the exams, it was a pleasure to come here and to show what we are“, said the cadet of Military Management Corporal Andreja Tomašević.

Although the activities during the Winter Camp are demanding and hard, the cadets stressed that they were actually looking forward to the field part of the terrain. 

“The Camp is becoming harder and more demanding, so we are getting stronger at both  individual and team level. My main motive was patriotism, and we are also provided with material amenities. Our job is to learn and to work; that is how we can evolve as people and leaders. We all work as one in the military“ , said Corporal Ivan Rajčić, the student of “Military Engineering“. 

The Winter Camp 2 is being conducted in the Barracks “Josip Jović“,  and the Winter Camp 1 in the Training Range “Gašinci“, which is attended by 82 cadets of the 17^th generation of the “Military Management“ and “Military Engineering“ study programmes, whereas 86 cadets of the 15^th generation cadets, take the Winter Camp 3 at the Training Range “Gakovo“.

Author: Martina Butorac

Photos by: Tomislav Brandt