Graduation of 50 officers of the Armed Forces Academy

: Published: Friday, 04 July 2014 12:08

It was held today the graduation ceremony of 50 officers, who completed their studies in Senior Officer Course (SOC) and General Staff and Command Course (GSCC) at the Armed Forces Academy (AFA). At the ceremony attended the Minister of Defence, Mrs. Mimi Kodheli, the Chief of General Staff of the Armed Forces, Major General Jeronim Bazo, generals, directors and senior officers of the Ministry of Defence and General Staff of the Armed Forces, as well as other guests.

After the speech held by the AFA Commander, Colonel Agim Sula, the participants were greeted by Chief of General Staff, Major General Jeronim Bazo, who defined the ceremony as a special day in the life and career of the graduates, but also as an remarkable event for the AFA and to all Armed Forces structures. “This Academy is the home that educate senior officers of the Armed Forces, who not only lead its structures, at all levels of command and control, but also successfully fulfil the assigned tasks alongside the Alliance militaries in international operations of security and peace. This constitutes the core of all the work and at the same time settles this institution at the forefront of the efforts to reform the Armed Forces, in accordance with the requirements and standards of the time and today’s security environment, said Major General Bazo.

Later, the Defence Minister Kodheli and Major General Bazo handed diplomas to several officers who completed their studies in these two senior courses.

AFA is the highest military education institution in our country, which for 56 years has played and plays a primary role in the preparation and training of military and civilians personnel, at all levels of command and control, within the Armed Forces structures. 18 graduates concluded today the SOC, a course which in our military education system represents the highest level program in the operational and security field, whereas in the military career system, it represent of the course of the rank “colonel”. While, 32 graduates concluded the GSCC, a course which represents the highest level program of the professional preparation of officers in the operational field and in the military career system, it represents the course of the rank “lieutenant colonel”. The graduates are members from all AF structures, as well as of the Republican Guard. During this academic year at the AFA, 502 people have conducted studies, as well as functional and institutional qualifications of different levels. This number reflects the dynamics and capacity with which this institution responds to the current and prospective requirements of the Armed Forces.