The Training and Doctrine Command (TRADOC), bearer of the traditions of welcoming the first recruits doing military service and forming army units, marked 15 April – the Day of the Unit with a military ceremony at the barracks “Alekso Demnievski – Bauman” in Veles.
At the ceremony, Minister Slavjanka Petrovska and TRADOC Commander, Colonel Vasko Kokolanski, gave their speeches and also, incentives were awarded to command members for achieved results, to organizations and individuals the command cooperates with, as well as to teams which took part in the sport events held for the occasion.
Minister Petrovska in her address emphasized that real power does not lie in physical or technical expertise only, but also in a firm commitment of the Training and Doctrine Command’s members to the true values and principles.
“Through you mentorship and leadership our members acquire readiness for all challenges and learn how to maintain the highest standards of the Army, integrity, honor and respect. And under no circumstances should you abandon these”, said the minister. She explained that sharing their knowledge and professionalism makes them architects of excellence, not simply instructors or strategists.
Your dedication and professionalism, added the minister, are a further motif to carry on investing wisely in equipment and infrastructure, and also in human capital.
Petrovska mentioned the development of the Army training area ‘Krivolak’, which is part of this Command, as an example of fine investment in new training prospects.
“In the past few years, in cooperation with our allies we introduced new training contents, and their help and support became available because they recognized our enthusiasm to create a training area which offers various training opportunities in accordance with the highest standards of the Alliance”, concluded the minister.
TRADOC Commander, Colonel Vasko Kokolanski in his speech pointed out that in the past year the Command has thoroughly completed its mission in supporting Army units, and with its infrastructural capacities, especially ATA Krivolak, necessary support is provided to our allied and partner armies. He stressed that fulfillment of the given tasks lies not only in the support provided by the General Staff, but in the high level professionalism, training and motivation of the TRADOC members as well. “We need regulations, standards, infrastructural capacities in support of the training and highly motivated instructors to accomplish top-notch capacities, in one word everything TRADOC can offer”, added Colonel Kokolanski in his speech.
As part of the military ceremony, a demonstrative exercise with service dogs from the Canine Training Centre, part of TRADOC, was carried out. Part of the armament and equipment were displayed, as well. The best poem written by students from schools in Veles, who participated in the competition on the occasion of the Day of the Unit, was read and also, drawings created by primary school students were exhibited.
The celebration was attended by the Ministry of Defence State Secretary, Vladimir Anchev, the OC Commander, Brigadier General Besnik Emini, Commander of the 1st Infantry Brigade, Brigadier General Sashko Lafchiski, commanders of Army units, representatives from the Presidential Cabinet, the Ministry of Defence and the General Staff, as well as representatives of organizations the Command cooperates with.
The Training and Doctrine Command marks 15th April as a tradition bearer of the period when in 1992, at the military barracks in Skopje, Bitola, Shtip and Ohrid, first recruits for military service started arriving and shaping the Army.
