It took place at the Officers' School of the Army the joint swearing-in ceremony of the 27th course of the Italian Army and the equivalent course of the Air Force.
The event was chaired by the Minister of Defense Guido Crosetto, in the presence of the Chief of Staff of the Army, General of the Army Corps Carmine Masiello, the Chief of Staff of the Air Force, General of the Air Force Luca Goretti, and numerous military, civil and religious authorities.
During the ceremony, 132 student marshals of the "Volontà" course swore allegiance to the Italian Republic and its institutions. Officers' School of the Army and 296 student marshals of the “Izar II” course of the Marshals School of the Air Force.
The ceremony began with the entrance of the Gonfalone of the city of Viterbo and the Province of Viterbo, followed by the Banners of the Combatant and Armed Forces Associations and the Flags of the two training institutes. Subsequently, the commander of the Officers' School of the Army, Major General Maurizio Taffuri, and the commander of the Marshals School of the Air Force, Colonel Gianluca Spina, pronounced the oath formula.
The importance of the moment was underlined by the “I swear” shouted in unison by the student marshals and was sealed by the flyover of a formation of TH-500 and HH-139 helicopters of the Italian Air Force, accompanied by a tricolour artillery salvo.
The Minister of Defense, the Honourable Guido Crosetto, said in his speech "I am here for you, to honor your choice. In front of your families, who feel immense pride, but also a hint of melancholy: it is natural, when you see a child grow up. Today, however, there is one more reason for parents to be proud: your sons and daughters have sworn to protect all of us. In a time when everything seems uncertain, they have promised loyalty to the values on which the Armed Forces are based, which do not change with time, simple to pronounce but difficult to live. Values that you have chosen to protect and honor. You must now have the strength to distinguish between good and evil, between what is right and what is not. I am not here just to review and look at you with respect, but to thank you on behalf of the Institutions and to welcome you to the great family of Defense. We entrust the future of the country to you".
“Students of the 27th course “Will, you will soon become platoon commanders: always have the courage to make decisions, be proactive, have initiative, think outside the box, take care of training in detail, set an example, be soldiers!”, said Gen. Taffuri in his speech "I am sure that you will do your best to honor the trust that has been placed in you, aware of the importance of your role and the value that you will be able to offer in every circumstance, even at the cost of your life".
Col. Spina then took the floor and, addressing the young students, urged them as follows: "this is just the beginning of a journey that, passing through subsequent milestones, will lead you to increasingly ambitious goals". Just before the oath formula he adds "love and respect the institutions of the country and be ready to defend them with sacrifice and honor. Face the next challenges with determination and shout with deep conviction your pride, your commitment and your love for the life you have chosen and the uniform you wear".
Also present were those responsible for the training of the two Armed Forces, General of the Army Corps Carlo Lamanna, commander for the Training, Specialization and Doctrine of the Army, and the general of the air force Silvano Frigerio, commander of the Air Force Schools and of the 3rd air region. The event was also attended by the highest authorities of the territory, including the prefect of Viterbo Gennaro capo and the president of the province of Viterbo Alessandro Romoli.
The ceremony was punctuated by the notes of a mixed musical band, composed of soldiers from the Italian Army and the Air Force. Subsequently, the Baptism of the 27th Air Force Marshals Course took place, which took the name of “Izar II”. Immediately afterwards, the traditional blessing of the Pennant took place, which passed from the hands of the president chief of the non-commissioned officers, graduates and military men of the Air Force, 1st lgt Mario Bonaventura, to those of the godfather of the course (course leader of Izar I), and subsequently to the course leader, in a symbolic handover that represents the continuity of values and traditions between generations of marshals.
