March Intake of Soldiers Undergoing Skills Assessment
Tuesday, 15.4.2025 | Training
Soldiers who started voluntary military service in March this year had their basic individual skills evaluated at the Serbian Armed Forces’ training centers in Sombor, Valjevo and Leskovac.
This is the first skills evaluation of soldiers of the March 2025 intake aimed at determining their ability to perform independently tactical actions and procedures on the battlefield, handle properly weapons and military equipment and do internal and guard duties.
The soldiers being evaluated were asked to carry out tactical missions, for which they had to apply the knowledge and skills acquired in the first phase of the first period of military service for the last month and a half.
Platoon commander at the 3rd Training Center, Second Lieutenant Nikola Nikolić, has explained that individual training of soldiers begins with an adaptation period, during which soldiers are becoming used to living and working in a military environment.
— After that, soldiers go through various contents, such as close-order drills, tactical, firearms and physical fitness training, as well as adopting the rules of service, which is followed by checking their skills. We have successfully evaluated all soldiers. We are very proud of the fact that they have all successfully completed this training segment and are ready for transfer to specialist training centers — said Second Lieutenant Nikolić, emphasizing that friendships made in the army are lifelong friendships.
Soldier Nikola Maksimović applied for military service because all his ancestors were soldiers who served for the freedom and honor of the homeland, which motivated him to follow in their footsteps.
— During basic training, we learn to handle weapons and everything about first aid and healthy habits, such as regular meals, getting up and sleeping. It is an honor to wear this uniform, to serve your country and fatherland. I have realized that this is the right profession for me, I wish to be a professional soldier, and, hopefully, after that, with further work and motivation, I will also become an NCO or an officer - said soldier Maksimović.
Soldier Emilija Kovačević from Niš says that she applied for voluntary military service to serve her country and to show that she could be an exemplary and honorable soldier. She did that right after completing a high school of electrical engineering. Her family, friends and relatives gave her support to succeed in her goal.
— Camping was the biggest challenge for me because we were staying in an open field, the weather was not ideal, I was physically and mentally exhausted, but my mental strength and will to succeed contributed to bringing that training part to its very end. When we returned from the camp, it was only then that I realized how much I could actually achieve and how proud I was of myself for completing that training segment successfully. Team work is very important in the army and we all help each other, said soldier Kovačević.
The good results of the evaluation of the March class mean that they are ready to continue training with branch/service – specific combat assets and military equipment in specialist training centers for the rest of their military service. This check marked the completion of the first phase of their individual basic training, and after the next, specialist phase, they will be assigned to the Serbian Armed Forces’ units for a second training period.
Soldiers interested in admission to professional military service can apply now, go through the prescribed procedure in a timely manner and meet the requirements to join the ranks of professional members of the Serbian Armed Forces immediately after their military service is over.
