That "I swear" screamed loudly and decidedly marked for the 193 students of the Naval Academy of Livorno the first step to enter fully into the Navy. To them, the future of the Navy, the commander of the Academy addressed himself, rear-admiral Ribuffo: "Your professional contribution will be indispensable for researching and developing motivations and innovations that you will be able to build on the solid foundations of noble maritime traditions in order to guarantee a constantly efficient and effective maritime instrument to the Italian, European and international community.". To them the exhortation to be generous, enthusiastic, curious, critical and proud to have chosen the Navy and to serve the country.
The oath, an important and indelible moment for each of them, as highlighted by the Minister of Defense, Roberta Pinotti, present at the ceremony: "Whatever your motivation, the fact that you are here is a demonstration of the commitment you want to put into your life. Little more than thirty years old you will find yourself commanding and making choices. You will have to do it taking into account a complexity of situations and giving your best. This is why the moment you live in the Academy is so important: you will not learn everything you need to do at the moment of command, but you will lay the foundations for knowledge and behavior".
"The Navy awaits you at the first destination of employment - declared the Navy Chief of Staff, Admiral Valter Girardelli - because the future tasks of operational life must always be focused on those attending the Academy. This ideal bond represents the heart of a tradition that expresses the maritime nature of our Nation, which recognizes the vital role of development in the sea, a source of well-being, a conjunction between cultures, a factor of progress and prosperity. Maritime is one and is the resource for the future".
To pay tribute to the young jurors also the Chief of Defense Staff, General Claudio Graziano: "I am proud as the operational commander of the Armed Forces to have witnessed your oath. In this institute you will achieve your preparation as sailors, soldiers and officers to be ready to face the challenges of tomorrow. A tomorrow full of new commitments, of possibilities, but certainly characterized by the persistence of a complex and constantly evolving scenario, by an increasing number of actors and risks that must not find us unprepared. Be proud to belong to the Italian Navy, to the Italian Armed Forces: you are the future".
Future to which 193 students are called to respond with perseverance, tenacity, common sense, determination and initiative. During the ceremony, the prizes offered by foreign Marines to students who have distinguished themselves in the courses and for the first time since the 1992, the "Saber of Honor" to the young Ensign Marzio Pratellesi were also presented.
