“Your presence here illustrates one of my mottos since taking the office: the human resources are our biggest asset and the value which requires due attention“.

The President of the Republic as the Supreme Commander of the Croatian Armed Forces Kolinda Grabar-Kitarović in late January 2017 held a reception for the best performing enlisted soldiers and NCOs of the Croatian Armed Forces in the year 2016.

The reception was attended by the Chief of the General Staff of the Croatian Armed Forces, General Mirko Šundov, the Deputy Chief, Lieutenant General Drago Matanović, the Director of the General Staff, Rear admiral Robert Hranj, the Chief Defence Inspector, Major General Slaven Zdilar, the Assistant Minister Zoran Piličić, the Croatian Armed Forces Command Sergeant Major, Sergeant Major of the Army Dominik Ban, the commanders and the command sergeants major of the services of the Armed Forces and of the units subordinated to the General Staff, and other senior civilian and military officials.

Addressing the awarded members the President praised them as models for capabilities, knowledge, creativity and motivation of the Croatian Armed Forces. “Your presence here illustrates one of my mottos since taking the office: the human resources are our biggest asset and the value which requires most attention“.

The President also underlined the increased defence budget, to  enable providing better conditions for the members of the Armed Forces and motivate them to perform their demanding tasks“. “Security and stability in many  neighbouring countries, particularly to the east and south of Europe are deteriorated, increasing the likelihood of security threats“, said the President.

The President said that some units, such as the Military Police Regiment, have already been assigned new tasks – the assistance to the personnel of the Ministry of the Interior to protect the state border in the event of the influx of a new migrant wave. 

“The efforts invested by the Croatian Armed Forces need to be complemented with the strategic leadership, which will set the direction and the Croatian priorities within the international environment“. 

The President also expressed the expectation that the National Security Strategy and the Homeland Security Act will provide the adequate strategic framework for the operation of the Croatian Armed Forces and enhance the functioning of the overall system of the national security. 

The Chief of the General Staff of the Croatian Armed Forces, General Mirko Šundov said that the awards for the best performing enlisted soldiers and NCOs was a worthwile to be maintained, rewarding the extraordinary efforts invested by individuals in the execution of their military tasks.

The Chief of the General Staff underlined the crucial role of the NCO Support Chain in the identification of excellent and outstanding individuals at junior levels of command and control and in presenting the performing enlisted leaders and NCOs at the strategic levels levels. “The best performing individuals have to be recognised and their achievements highlighted as the model for others to follow, and by doing so we can fulfill the tasks assigned to our Armed Forces at home and in the international peace support operations and missions“.