Members of the Joint Operations Command (JOC) as the highest command of the Army of the Republic of North Macedonia, in the presence of highest military leaders, marked October 17th, Day of the Unit, with a military ceremony at military barracks ‘Boro Menkov’ in Kumanovo.
The Commander of the JOC, Major General Pavle Arsoski in his speech before the echelons of the command and all JOC subordinate units stressed that: ‘In the course of this one year many fundamental changes took place and they should be emphasized because they have positive impact on the perspectives of all of us in the Army, and there are many other issues which could be mentioned on this special occasion, but I will point out only one thing-that the JOC will not quit the tempo and quality of work we are recognized by.’
At the ceremony many JOC members were commended and awarded for achieving good results in their work. Also, as a result of excellent cooperation with the local authorities in Kumanovo, the Chief of the General Staff awarded an Army plaque.
Besides the President of the Republic of North Macedonia and Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, Stevo Pendarovski, Minister of Defence, Radmila Shekerinska and the Chief of the GS, Lieutenant General Vasko Gjurchinovski, the ceremony was attended by army Generals, commanders of units and other guests from the MoD and the GS, the civilian sector and representatives of the media.
By decision of the President of the Republic of North Macedonia October 17th is designated as the JOC Day, as a memorial marking some significant historical events, upon which the traditions of the Army are based. On October 17th, 1878, the headquarters of the Macedonian Uprising (in Macedonian historiography known as Kresna Uprising) was established in the village of Kresna, and it was the day of the uprising.
The Joint Operations Command, as a command on operational level, began as Army Corps, and then in 2000 it was transformed into 1st Army Corps, in 2002 it was renamed into Land Forces Command, and since 2005 it has been restructured into the current name, in accordance with the NATO standards.
Being the highest command on operational level in the Army, the JOC is the most responsible for training its commands and units for defense and protection of the territorial integrity and autonomy of the Republic, to participate in peace support missions and to contribute to the protection of broader interests of the Republic.
