Shortly before nine on the morning of Friday, 30 October, a resounding “So we swear!” echoed across Freedom Square in Brno as nearly 400 new University of Defence students pledged to defend their country should the need arise. The ceremony marked the culmination of their journey to studying at Czechia’s only military university. The future commanders, technicians, pilots and doctors have begun three-, five- and six-year degree programmes.
Joining them in taking this important step in their military careers were five students from the Military Department at Charles University’s Faculty of Physical Education and Sport.
Since the beginning of August, the university’s 371 new students had completed several essential stages, starting with the month-long Basic Training Course, followed by their formal admission to the academic community at matriculation. Seven students achieved excellent results in basic training and had already received awards for their attitude and performance. One of them, Private First Class Vojtěch Podešva, was given the honour of reciting the military oath before his fellow students assembled on parade and the colours of the Training Regiment. His words were answered by the collective pledge quoted above.
“It marks your entry into the armed forces and expresses your determination to carry out the tasks entrusted to you and fulfil your military duties,” Deputy Minister of Defence René Schreier said in his opening address. The Chief of the General Staff of the Czech Armed Forces, Army General Miroslav Hlaváč, then outlined what the armed forces need in Europe’s current security environment: “The armed forces need people they can rely on in a crisis. Officers who are not afraid to make decisions and take responsibility for them.” Like the university’s Rector-Commandant, Brigadier General Jan Farlík, he urged the students to show resilience and perseverance: “You have knowingly chosen a demanding path. If you stumble, learn from it. Do not be afraid of falling, but always get back up.”
Other guests included Jiří Horák, Vice-Chair of the Defence Committee of the Chamber of Deputies of the Parliament of the Czech Republic; Jaroslav Daněk, representing the Ministry of Defence’s State Secretary Division; Marek Sovka, Deputy Governor of the South Moravian Region; and other representatives of the Czech Armed Forces, the defence sector, local government and public administration, and partner associations.
Since last year, the military oath ceremony for University of Defence students has been held in the central square of Brno, the university’s home city. It complements the traditional summer commissioning ceremony for graduates, giving students’ parents and loved ones, as well as the public, an insight into military education.
The ceremony concluded with a march-past, accompanied by a low flypast over Freedom Square by the Czech Air Force’s new aircraft, symbolically welcoming the recruits into the ranks of the Czech Armed Forces.
Author: Viktor Sliva
Photos: Viktor Sliva, Aleš Mylan, Matyáš Ježek and Klára Řeháková
