Candidates for Serbian Armed Forces NCOs Took Oath
Thursday, 9.4.2026 | Stories from Units
The 4th NCO Course participants, who began their six-month training for NCO duties in the Serbian Armed Forces in mid-March, have taken the military oath today at a ceremony held at the “National Hero Stevica Jovanović” barracks in Pančevo.
By pronouncing the text of the oath in front of the flag of the Republic of Serbia, they solemnly pledged to protect and defend the independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Republic of Serbia.
The oath-taking ceremony was attended by Acting Assistant Minister of Defense for Human Resources Siniša Radović, Commander of the Training Command Brigadier General Dragiša Zlatković, Head of the Human Resources Directorate (J-1) of the General Staff Brigadier General Slađan Hristov, representatives of the units of the Ministry of Defense and the Serbian Armed Forces, the Serbian Orthodox Church and local government bodies, as well as relatives and friends of the future NCOs.
While congratulating them on taking the oath, General Zlatković has pointed out that at this point the candidates are heading towards one of the most responsible roles in the armed forces, and that an extremely responsible period is awaiting them during which they will have to keep proving their worth all the time.
— The challenges ahead of you will shape you as soldiers, but also as future leaders. You are required to show discipline, perseverance and willingness to learn and progress — said General Zlatković.
Course participant Petko Milosavljević, from Kraljevo, says that he is extremely glad that he applied for this training and that he pledged loyalty to his homeland.
— I come from a city with a long tradition of driver training and transportation service. The fact that I am a traffic engineer by profession is what actually attracted me to the competition, which I passed, and came to the NCO Training Center. The goal is to develop myself through further training as an NCO for performing duties in the Serbian Armed Forces — Milosavljević said.
After taking the oath, NCO candidates continue their training at the NCO Training Center “Sergeant Milunka Savić” in Pančevo, where the first two modules (of the three in total) of the six-month course are implemented. After that, they are supposed to receive specialist training at training centers and units of the Serbian Armed Forces, the final step being internship at appropriate workplaces. Those who successfully master all planned contents will be promoted to the rank of sergeant, thus joining the ranks of professional members of the Serbian Armed Forces.
Young men and women willing to pursue a career with the Serbian Armed Forces in this way can apply for the current public competition for training at the NCO Course, which is open until April 30, 2026. All citizens of the Republic of Serbia above the age of 18, with at least a four-year secondary education, born in 1990 or later and physically and mentally fit, regardless of whether they have served military service with weapons or not, are eligible to apply.
