The final punctuation mark on the recently concluded academic year came on Thursday, July 31st, in the afternoon and early evening, with the graduation ceremonies for graduates of military study programs. Academic dignitaries, graduating students, their family members, and loved ones gathered for this ceremonial event in the assembly hall of the Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Communication of Brno University of Technology, located under Palacký Hill.
The graduations were held in four sessions—two from each of the University of Defence’s Brno-based faculties. First, graduates from the Faculty of Military Technology (FMT) received their diplomas and took the graduate’s oath. In his speech, the Dean of the faculty, Colonel GS Vlastimil Neumann, congratulated the students on completing their studies: “You have completed a demanding technical program at a unique faculty that connects science and research within a security-focused environment,” he stated, adding that the importance of technology in the military field is rapidly increasing. “Yet ultimately, it is always the human being who matters most—his values, decisions, and moral compass,” said Colonel Neumann, offering the graduates several pieces of advice for their upcoming lives as military professionals.
The Dean of FMT, along with the Rector-Commandant Brigadier General Jan Farlík, presented awards to the top-performing students. Among them was Second Lieutenant Ing. Jan Mašek, who successfully represented the university in sports. At the recent Czech Academic Games, he defended his judo title in his category for the fourth consecutive year, achieving an admirable record—one gold medal for each year of participation.
Looking back on his five years of study, Second Lieutenant Ing. Ondřej Severa—now a newly certified helicopter pilot—thanked the university staff and bid farewell to the school and his fellow students.
The graduation ceremony of the sister Faculty of Military Leadership (FML) was even larger in scale. More than one hundred graduates received their diplomas from the hands of the Dean, including Second Lieutenant Ing. Kryštof Harant, who earlier that day had symbolically represented all his fellow graduates during the formal commissioning ceremony. “Out of all the specialization options, I was most drawn to artillery because of its impact on the battlefield and the types of weapons systems it involves,” explained Second Lieutenant Harant, speaking about his choice of specialization during the preparation of an upcoming article that will offer a closer look at this top graduate.
In his address, the Dean of FML, Colonel GS Jan Drozd, also focused on the moral dimension of a commanding officer’s personality:
“In life—and especially in military life—you will face moments where you must choose between what is easy and what is right. It is in these moments that your true character will be revealed. Remember—fortune favors the brave! Congratulations, and I wish you courage, wisdom, and good fortune—not only as commanders but also as people who will inspire others to be better.”
Author: Viktor Sliva | Photos: author
