The soldiers and NCOs of the Croatian Army of December 2019 and January, February, March and April 2020 gathered on June 4 at the Croatian Armed Forces Command in Karlovac, where the Croatian Armed Forces Commander, Major General Boris Šerić presented them with the awards and commendations  certificates.

Private Kruno Krulić, of the Guards Armoured Mechanised Brigade, was proclaimed the enlisted    soldier of December 2019 for helping and resuscitating a woman in Valpovo, who fell sick and had an epileptic seizure. He remained discrete about his noble deed, which became known only later, through the Ministry of the Interior.  

Staff Sergeant Josip Ilijević of the Guards Armoured Mechanised Brigade was proclaimed the NCO of December 2019, for distinguishing himself with his professional attitude, expertise and patriotism which he passed on to the members of his Brigade. Practicing martial arts in his free time, Staff Sgt.  Ilijević designed and organised physical fitness activities in the Brigade, and is an author of the manual: “The Basics of Self-Defence”, alongside a team of kinesiologists of the Croatian Armed Forces.

The enlisted soldier of January 2020, Private Maja Stojanović of the Engineering Regiment distinguished herself with her commitment to training and acquisition of new skills and knowledge in the domain of CIS, with model appearance and conduct earned her the title of the enlisted soldier of the month.

The NCO of January Sergeant Josip Mornar, a medical technician of the Guards Mechanised Brigade and a son of a former member of the 4^th Guards Brigade joined the Croatian Armed Forces in 2007. In early 2020 he witnessed to a car accident on the state road and performed first aid to the injured pending the arrival of the ambulance. His spontaneous reaction helped save lives and displayed the constant readiness of members of the Croatian Armed Forces to assist civilian community.. 

Private Adrian Šanta, of the Guards Armoured Mechanised Brigade was proclaimed the enlisted soldier of February for his achievement during the preparations and training and situation shooting by the armoured mechanised units and during the formal external evaluation of the 1^st Tank Platoon of the 2^nd Tank Company of the Tank Battalion “Kune”.

Pvt Šanta distinguished himself for excellent performance and soldierly conduct during the transportation of tanks to the training range near Slunj, and for proving a model of a dedicated member of the Croatian Armed Forces.

Sergeant Andrija Gelo, a member of the Guards Armoured Mechanised Brigade is the NCO of February, joined the Croatian Armed Forces in 2005. Sgt. Gelo distinguished himself during the preparations of the candidates of the Guards Armoured Mechanised Brigadein the Barracks of the 5^th Guards Brigade “Slavonski sokolovi” in Vinkovci for the Primary Leadership Development Centre ”Marko Babić“, passing on his rich expertise on to the candidates and motivating them by setting high performance standards.

A committed service

Private Siniša Teteši, of the Engineer Regiment, is the enlisted soldier of the Croatian Army and of the Croatian Armed Forces of the month in March. He distinguished himself for his initiative and selfless efforts repairing the impact of the earthquake in Zagreb on 22 March 2020. Throughout the two-day relief task he displayed highly professional and committed attitude. 

Private First Class Mario Krnić of the Engineer Regiment, proclaimed the enlisted soldier of April, for saving a man drowning in the river Drava in Osijek, performing first aid and attending to her pending arrival of the ambulance.

Sergeant Damir Vulaković, of the Engineer Regiment, has been a Croatian soldier since 1991, earned his title for his engagement in the assistance to civilian institutions during the removal of the north spire of the Zagreb Cathedral, ensuring a safe completion of the novel and demanding task.   

In his address of appreciation for the commitment and dedication and congratulating the best enlisted soldiers and NCOs, the Commander of the Croatian Army Major General Boris Šerić said:  ”I am convinced that the titles go to the meriting members.  The members of the Croatian Army and of the Croatian Armed Forces are the essential component. They are the engine of development”.

Officer Siniša Teteši, a member of the Engineering Regiment, is the enlisted soldier of the Croatian Army and of the Croatian Armed Forces of March. He distinguished himself for his initiative and selfless efforts repairing the impact of the earthquake in Zagreb on 22 March 2020.

Corporal Nikola Sertić, a member of the Engineering Regiment, was named the NCO of March for his engagement and dedication in the relief in the wake of the earthquake hitting Zagreb. He showed initiative in the dispatch of the engineering equipment from the barracks to the streets of Zagreb, and in the operation of two engineering groups engaged in repair and clearing of the rubble in the Ban Jelačić Square, in Ilica and the surrounding streets and around the Faculty of Law.

Appreciating the soldiers and NCOs of the month for their commitment and hard work and congratulating them on their title the Commander of the Croatian Army Major General Boris Šerić shared his conviction that the proclaimed soldiers and NCOs merited their titles. The most valuable component of both the Croatian Army and of the Croatian Armed Forces is their members”.

The Croatian Army enlisted soldiers and NCOs of the month:

December 2019: Private Kruno Krulić (Guards Armoured Mechanised Brigade) and Sergeant Josip Ilijević (GOMBR)

January 2020: Private Maja Stojanović (Engineer Reg.) and Sergeant Josip Mornar (Guards Mechanised Brigade)

February 2020: Private Adrijan Šanta (Guards Armoured Mechanised Brigade) and Sergeant Danijel Gelo (GOMBR)

March 2020: Private Siniša Teteši (Engineer Reg.) and Corporal Nikola Sertić (Eng. Reg.)

April 2020: Private First Class Mario Krnić (Engineer Reg.) and Staff Sergeant Damir Vulaković (Engineer Reg.)

Croatian version:

Bez pravih ljudi u vojsci nema napretka