Military Oath is Binding for a Lifetime!

Following the parade of the historic flags, the national anthem and the taking of the oath, the Administrative State Secretary delivered a speech, emphasizing that there are only a few experiences in any soldier’s life that are more sublime than his oath of allegiance to the homeland and the nation, which includes the possibility of making the ultimate sacrifice. For this reason, we did not understood why, unduly and unfairly, the tradition of taking the oath in public was temporarily broken after the transition to the all-volunteer force, said Lajos Fodor. Throughout our history, armed defence of the homeland has never been about serving abstract ideals but rather the protection of the land we call our home, even by making the ultimate sacrifice. This is what our glorious ancestors had done on so many occasions during our thousand-year history, the Administrative State Secretary said.

Referring to the responsibilities and commitment of newly sworn-in service members, Lajos Fodor pointed out that “For all of us, this day is different from any other day. It is highly significant, and is going to change your life in so many ways, being a milestone that influences the future of the individual and the community as well. The commitment taken in public is stronger than merely signing the text of the oath, even in a moral sense. The oath is binding! Your will bear a considerably greater responsibility of a different nature, as compared to what you have had so far. You are responsible for yourselves, your comrades, your future units and for our homeland, the Hungarian nation."

The MoD Administrative State Secretary also talked about the military, which forms the basis of the Hungarian nation’s self-determination and freedom and the sovereignty of the country. He said the Hungarian Defence Forces must not lose touch with the nation, they cannot let the soldiers be members of a community that is separated from the public. He added that it is important for every Hungarian citizen to feel that the HDF are our own military and troops. At the same time we should be aware that although we are members of NATO and the European Union, we can give up neither the means of maintaining and protecting peace nor the political and social support and recognition that focuses on the cause of national defence and the security of our families. The troops, however, must do their best to earn this support and recognition.

Talking about the rebuilding of the Hungarian Defence Forces, the State Secretary pointed out that we are building a professional and modern military organized on a national basis, the power of which is provided by its technical equipment as well as by the expertise, dedication and courageous drive of the military personnel that all contribute to the capabilities of the HDF.

He also reminded the newly sworn-in soldiers that their path will not be easy, and it is worth going along only if they take it seriously and deliver a good performance. This is what they owe their homeland which they have sworn to protect, this is what they owe the community of the Hungarian Defence Forces whose uniform they wear and this is what they owe themselves, first and foremost. This is the greatest challenge, which makes their chosen path worth pursuing.

Enlisted personnel form the basis of the Hungarian Defence Forces on which NCOs, officers and the top HDF leaders all rely. Every time an order is issued, they always have to be ready to execute the task, doing their best in the most professional way.
For this reason, they must never forget – not even in the most difficult, most frustrating hours of pursuing their career – that they have devoted their lives to the service of the homeland and sworn allegiance to the nation. Neither should they forget that the country needs them.

The HDF Central Training Base in Szentendre is the cradle of the Hungarian Defence Forces. The oath-taking ceremony has also shown this to be the case, as during the past few months the enlisted soldiers taking the first steps of their service have been given here a taste of camaraderie, selfless responsibility for each other, the necessity of coping with any situation at any time, and the know-how of military science. The officers and NCO trainers of the ‘Mecséri János’ Training Department have provided them with the necessary skills.

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Photo: Veronika Dévényi