“I am congratulating you on your perseverance and hard work; this is another prove of the  strengthening of the Croatian Armed Forces; the soldiers are their essential  element , and we have to do everything in our power in that regard, for their benefit“, said Defence Minister  Krstičević. The President of the Republic as Supreme Commander of the Croatian Armed Forces  Kolinda Grabar-Kitarović on 7 February 2018 held a reception for the best enlisted soldiers and  NCOs  of the Croatian Armed Forces for the year 2017; she presented the Pvt Antonija Sadiković with the Medal for Daring  Feat for the outstanding gesture made saving a human life and property.  The President addressed the recipients as the model members of the Croatian Armed Forces and expressed hope that they would remain motivated for the military profession. “The Croatian soldier has always been a model of courage, valour and patriotism, particularly during the Homeland War; the togetherness of the Croatian people was the biggest value of the  war should be our motivation today“, said the President. The human resources are the most valuable asset of the Croatian Armed Forces, and merit major attention and investment , said the President, who also welcomed the increased defence budget , which she has strongly advocated during  her office, which would ensure the upgraded living and working conditions for the soldiers and motivate them further. “Visiting the barracks and other facilities I saw for myself that some of them are in intolerable condition and that needs to be changed  in the shortest time possible. Some projects have been launched , but still much has to be done, and I shall insist on that, as I have done so far“. The President also  stressed the growing instability at the global level as well as the political instability in the immediate environment, necessitating constant growth of capability of the defence system and of the armed forces for the purpose of deterrence and efficient response to possible risks and threats, and also underlined the importance of strategic leadership, setting the direction of the efforts and the international priorities of the Republic of Ctoatia. The strategic framework for the operation of the Croatian Armed Forces has been upgraded with the adopted National Security Strategy  and the Homeland Security Stategy Act, as well as the prospective amendments to the Defence Act and the Act on the Service in the Croatian Armed Forces. The documents will considerably enhance the efforts within the overall national security system of the  Republic of Croatia, which will depend on the efficiency of the soldiers and NCOs. “I hope that your colleagues will recognise your achievements too and follow your work and life styles, and all together serve as the backbone of the defence and security of the Republic of Croatia. The Chief of the General Staff of the Croatian Armed Forces, General Mirko Šundov reminded of that the best enlisted soldier title had been introduced in 2013 and commended  Private  . Antonija Sadiković, the best NCO, Staff Sergeant Danijel Dragišić and the best enlisted soldier for the year  2017 –  Private Ana Barinić, currently serving in the Resolute Support Mission in Afghanistan. General Šundov said the awards were conferred upon the soldiers  who  invested outstanding effort in the exercise of their tasks and encouraged  others to continuosly improve their performance.  “We are faced with new challenges ahead, it will take excellency-striving and motivated  individuals  to be able to respond to them“. In his address on behalf of the award recipients Staff Sergeant Danijel Dragišić said : “The title of the Best Enlisted Soldier and the honour shown to us by the President of the Republic motivate us to continue to work hard and grow, thereby developing the Croatian Armed Forces too“.