Croatia: 1,000 military recruits take formal oath

One thousand recruits from the third generation of basic military training in Croatia have taken their formal oath to the homeland. The ceremonies were held across four locations: the 123rd Brigade barracks in Požega, the General-bojnik Andrija Matijaš Pauk barracks in Knin, the Eugen Kvaternik military training ground near Slunj, and for the first time, the 5th Guards Brigade Slavonski sokolovi barracks in Vinkovci.

Ministry of Defence data indicates that only 1.3 percent of the youth in this generation exercised conscientious objection. Officials, including State Secretary Branko Hrg, noted that the program has expanded from an initial 800 participants to 1,000. Hrg and other officials encouraged the recruits to consider professional careers within the Croatian Armed Forces, highlighting benefits such as education, advancement, and stability.

The two-month training program covers essential military skills, including weapons handling, first aid, survival tactics, self-defense, and the use of modern equipment like drones. General Tihomir Kundid, Chief of the General Staff, emphasized that the training develops psychophysical abilities and provides valuable experience for the nation's future military strength.