Identifying aircraft entering the airspace of the Czech Republic. That will be the first assignment of Lieutenant Ondřej Darmovzal, a recent graduate of the University of Defence, who symbolically represented the 237 students of the University’s Brno-based faculties who were officially commissioned at a ceremony on Thursday, 30 July. Together with 19 graduates of the Faculty of Military Health Sciences, a total of 256 new officers will now join the ranks of the Czech Armed Forces.

The traditional ceremony, marking the completion of the military part of the graduates’ studies, took place on Thursday morning at Freedom Square in Brno. Its central moment was the ceremonial accolade of the top graduate of the Faculty of Military Technology, Lieutenant Darmovzal, who earned the distinction thanks to his academic achievements in the Radar and Electronic Warfare specialization. Rector-Commandant of the University of Defence Brigadier General Jan Farlík touched the University’s ceremonial sword to his shoulder.

“During our studies, we acquired professional knowledge as well as military skills and habits. Even more importantly, however, we learned responsibility, discipline and the ability to perform in demanding situations – values that will accompany us throughout our service,” Lieutenant Darmovzal said in his address. The top graduate of the sister Faculty of Military Leadership was Lieutenant Ivana Kutálková, who completed the Financial Resources Management programme.

The two top graduates, together with eight of their colleagues, subsequently received gifts from the Minister of Defence, presented by Deputy Minister René Schreier. In his address, Schreier emphasized the indispensable role of military higher education, particularly at a time of major modernization of the armed forces: “We can certainly buy equipment, but capable commanders are something we have to train and develop ourselves.” The ceremony was also attended by First Deputy Chief of the General Staff Major General Petr Čepelka, along with other representatives of the Ministry of Defence, the Czech Armed Forces and the Parliament of the Czech Republic, as well as representatives of local authorities, other universities and partner associations.

The large crowd gathered in the designated area of Brno’s central square was able to watch an impressive military march-past following the ceremonial accolade. During the parade, two helicopters flew overhead in salute to the graduates. The ceremony concluded with the new officers’ final farewell to their military studies as they threw their caps into the air.

The graduates completed the academic part of their studies throughout the day in a series of graduation ceremonies scheduled to continue into the early evening.

Photographs from the ceremony are available in the gallery.

Author: Viktor Sliva, photo: Viktor Sliva, Aleš Mylan, Petr Pechar