They Have Received Their Mission from the Nation

The 76 officer cadets who completed their studies in 2012 at the National University of Public Service Faculty of Military Sciences and Officer Training signed their oath of commissioning. The young future second-lieutenants received sabers from the Minister of Defence at the ceremony. Gen. Dr. Tibor Benkő, the Chief of the Defence Staff presented the posting orders, the second-lieutenants’ epaulettes and the Ludovika rings to the graduates.

In his speech delivered at the ceremony, Csaba Hende pointed out that what the officer cadets have chosen is not a mere job, career or way of earning their living, but a vocation. “In this vocation, the aim is not to wriggle out of doing things or master the philosophy of making the best possible living by doing the least possible work, and the real feat is not to find the back doors, but to serve the nation", the Minister of Defence stated.

The Minister pointed out that what the Hungarian Defence Forces will be like after August 20 depends on the second lieutenants to be commissioned as well. “Our best athletes have won eight gold medals at a noble competition in London. We can learn a lot of lessons from them, as they have set an example of humanity and the form of valor. On watching the last roundup it crossed my mind that yours is an Olympics of a lifetime, a real struggle and teamwork. However, the stakes in your struggle and teamwork are much higher because the silver medalists do not receive awards in live actions or on the battlefield. So we expect you to always be the best in performing your assigned duties", Csaba Hende stressed.

“The greatest value of the Hungarian Defence Forces is the community formed by the knowledgeable, committed and truly humane servicepersons. These men and women stand comparison with any soldier in the world both in terms of professional qualities and strength of character. You are going to serve among them", the Defence Minister added.

Csaba Hende said that “You receive from the nation the mission you are embarking on today. The saber, the highest symbol of your vocation that you can hold in your hands now, is a reminder of this fact. You are allowed to draw it only in defence of the homeland, but you cannot sheathe it until you have completed the task. May this sword be always sharp, and may you keep it stainless. May you be guided by the old slogan of the Ludovika: “For the Homeland unto death!"

After the reception of the sabers, officer cadet Dóra Emese Borbás delivered a speech on behalf of the students, then Col. Dr. Gábor Boldizsár, the dean of the Faculty of Military Sciences and Officer Training addressed the participants. At the reception held after the ceremony, Gen. Dr. Tibor Benkő, the Chief of the Defence Staff made a toast.