I believe that military service has always been a synonym for honorable and responsible service, as well as an adequate opportunity for numerous generations to serve Montenegro, but also to serve in peacekeeping missions for the good of all people around the world, said the President of Montenegro, Jakov Milatović.
He, as announced by his cabinet, accompanied by the Minister of Internal Affairs and the head of the Ministry of Defense, Filip Adžić, and the Chief of the General Staff of the Army of Montenegro (VCG), Zoran Lazarević, visited the "Milovan Saranović" barracks in Danilovgrad, where he attended a presentation of the capacities and capabilities of the VCG .
The size, structure, missions and tasks of the Army, deployment of units, as well as the priorities and vision of its future development were presented to the President. As part of the military exercise, some of the weapons and equipment available to the Army were presented.
"I am pleased that I had the opportunity to witness a demonstration of part of the capabilities of the ground and air forces as part of my first visit to the Army. You have shown an enviable level of capabilities today. I know that behind this are numerous individual and collective trainings, a lot of brave, risky and difficult efforts , and for everything you have done in that field, I want to congratulate and acknowledge you. It is important to me that I understood and recognized that part of the demonstrated capabilities of the Army can also be applied in emergency situations, especially when it is necessary to help citizens in search and rescue, but also in solving the problems brought to them by fires, floods, snow problems, and in similar emergency situations. I personally want to see the presence of the Army of Montenegro on a larger scale among the citizens, because this is how mutual trust is developed, which is necessary to respond to crises that are real and expected, and in today but also in the future," said Milatović.
He addressed the members of the Croatian Armed Forces who were promoted to higher ranks (53 officers and 31 non-commissioned officers) as well as the officers and non-commissioned officers who were transferred to active service (131 members) and in that speech congratulated them on their promotions with the wish that "higher ranks and active service be a new incentive in performing the military profession".
"At the same time, military service is an opportunity to acquire new skills during the career, to improve expertise and rank, and to help soldiers improve their lives in a certain way, and additionally help their families. I am sure that you are this new " status" deserved, and that you will be an inspiration for other generations," said Milatović.
He said that the top decision-makers are aware that many young people, who enter work relationships today, have a different view of how to build their careers, especially compared to older generations.
"Young people today often choose careers that are flexible and see themselves working in different professions, rather than progressing exclusively within one organization. That's why service in our Army should be complex and flexible, and be available to every citizen as an opportunity for a job that gives greater security and knowledge that is applicable in various fields. All the more, the Government and the relevant Ministry, as an employer, must do everything to make the military service more interesting to the young generations. We must make strides in terms of employment to ensure that the influx of personnel it better suits the needs of the service," said Milatović during the visit.
He said that he is sure that certain changes should be made in the way of recruiting young people into the Army, but also in the entire defense system, and that as soon as possible.
"In that direction, I think it is necessary to take a closer look at what young people need, what their needs are. Maybe these are needs that include certain benefits in terms of accommodation and housing, subsidized food, various supports in supporting families, better medical and dental care, needs to acquire special and attractive skills, perhaps such support is more important than salary alone. It is possible that by applying such targeted financial and non-financial reward levers available to the Department of Defense, a more compelling and competitive incentive would be achieved for those currently serving, as well as those that we want to attract to the Army," said Milatović.
He announced that "it is not easy to live life in soldier's boots" and that it entails numerous efforts and sacrifices.
"That's why today I want to say that I expect that in the near future there will be a way to be more adequately rewarded for this. This will further contribute to the Army being one of the most powerful drivers of social mobility in the country. You should give your full contribution to this, and that you are looking for a motive for new efforts so that your families and your surroundings will look at your successes with additional respect. And with this act today, you have received another confirmation that to me, as the President of Montenegro, all people, regardless of what level of work findings, equally important and necessary," concluded Milatović.
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