The Officers' School of Taranto, named after the Gold Medal for Military Valor Lorenzo Bezzi, presents itself as a modern university campus with wide avenues, buildings and infrastructures immersed in greenery on a vast area of approximately 32 hectares.
But let's now listen to the interview given by the commander of Mariscuola Taranto, Rear Admiral Francesco Milazzo, in command of the Institute since September 2022.
La Officers' School of Taranto has trained generations of non-commissioned officers and soldiers, this means having at your disposal selected human and professional resources capable of transmitting not only notions, but passion for the sea in the service of the Country. In three words or concepts, what do you ask your staff to transfer to each student?
Since the day I took command, I have felt the weight of responsibility and the importance of training future non-commissioned officers and military personnel of the Navy and the Port Authorities - Coast Guard. Every day, I ask my staff to transfer to the young students, first of all by example, the Dedication to service, the Passion for our splendid profession and the Linearity of behavior even outside of normal service, in everyday life.
Admiral, you have a lot of experience at sea, years of embarkation on both ships and submarines, what do you feel like saying to the families of the volunteers on initial term who on February 28th will swear allegiance to the Republic? As a parent, what advice do you have for the future?
Retracing a passage, which is very important to me, and which is usually present in my speech addressed to the numerous relatives of the students present, shortly before the reading of the oath formula, I underline my personal gratitude for having entrusted to the Navy what is most precious to them, that is, mature, motivated and principled boys and girls, and it is for this reason that I and my staff deeply feel the responsibility to continue to train these young students on the path of honesty and love of country.
To their families I say, be proud of your boys and the professional path they have taken, I am, the Navy is.
As a father of a twenty-year-old boy, I advise them to always support their children, to give them maximum confidence, and through a discreet presence in their lives to continue to encourage them; you will see that they will take care of the rest.
What are the projects and "construction sites in progress" at the Institute?
Over the past year, the Institute has begun activities to improve its logistical arrangements and to launch important works, such as the complete renovation of the heating and hot water production system in Palazzo Allievi; the modernization of the Palazzina Frequentatori through the creation of a centralized air conditioning system and the installation of photovoltaic panels and the completion of a modern Tent Structure with 250 seats intended for conferences and educational activities.
Furthermore, some strategically important projects are currently being finalized, such as the creation of a new covered multipurpose sports center with a capacity of 500 spectators and the construction of a new outdoor sports facility including an athletics track and a regulation Naval Pentathlon lane.
Finally, among the more far-reaching activities, the creation of a centre for childhood, a nursery and kindergarten, for the children of our military and civilian personnel is planned, a project of which I am particularly proud.
