The Training and Doctrine Command marked April 15 – the Day of the Unit, with a military ceremony held at barracks “Alekso Demnievski Bauman” in Veles.
The Chief of General Staff, Lieutenant General Vasko Gjurchinovski and TRADOC Commander, Colonel Vasko Kokolanski, addressed the audience.
Congratulating the command members, in his address, General Gjurchinovski said that this is one of the most important dates in the history not only of the Training and Doctrine Command, but also of the Army, since on that day, 31 years ago, our barracks and army ranks officially began to be manned, which formally marked the legal start of the Army operations.
Furthermore, he emphasized that the achievements of this command, as well as of the Army, are the result of the hard work of many generations. “Our duty remains, to provide better work environment for the future generations, which should be driving force of further progress”.
The commander of TRADOC, Colonel Vasko Kokolanski, addressed the audience next. He stressed that in the process of implementing NATO strategies, concepts and standards, it is necessary to adapt to modern demands, which will be achieved by strengthening the capacities and abilities of this command as part of its mission.
At the same time, in his speech he referred to the most important historical moments of the development of this command, as well as to the achieved results in the area of the unit’s competences in the process of education, training and military norms.
In the past period, 500 new professional soldiers, 300 non-commissioned officers were theoretically and practically trained in this command. A large number of officers were included in the training programs, especially in learning English language. At the same time, TRADOC actively participated in training support during the execution of all major national and international military exercises.
At the ceremony, incentive measures were given to several members of TRADOC for the achieved results, and recognitions were also awarded to the organizations and teams that participated in the competitions organized on the occasion of the day of the unit.
The ceremony was enriched with a literary reading of a poem, which was chosen as the best work of the competition for the selection of a poem on the topic: “To be a soldier”, which was organized by elementary state school “Blaze Koneski” – Veles. At the end, the attendees had the opportunity to look at the art works that were made by the pupils from elementary state school “Vasil Glavinov” – Veles.
The celebration was attended by Army units’ commanders, a representative from the president’s office, military leaders from the General Staff, the Ministry of Defense, the Military Academy and representatives of the local self-government and the organizations with which the unit cooperates.
The Training and Doctrine Command marks April 15th, in honor of the first conscripts who served their military service.
Back in 1992, Panche Jamandiev from Veles was the first conscript who was registered in the garrison in Ohrid, as one of the young people who, after two and a half months of training, were sent to the border units, military police units and other units to perform their duties.