The Chief of Staff of the Army, General of the Army Corps Carmine Masiello, went to the "MOVMSTen. Ugo Bartolomei" barracks in Cesano, home of the Infantry School where the fezzes were delivered to the new VFI assigned to the bersaglieri specialty, at the end of the training process.
The Chief of Staff, addressing the new riflemen, said: "Young bersaglieri, I hope you will always live your choice with the awareness that values and training are the immutable thread of the history of the Army and the soldier; with this awareness it will be the most beautiful choice you could have made. The Infantry School prepares soldiers, fighters, men and women trained to defend the country and equipped to overcome the sacrifices and renunciations that this task entails, honoring those who preceded us and had the strength to never take a step back, tracing the furrow of example".
The four-week training module of the Bersaglieri specialty allowed the young VFIs to reach the training and physical standards that will allow them to integrate into the departments to which they will be assigned.
The crimson fez with cord and blue tassel called "ricciolina" made its appearance during the Crimean War of 1855, in the battle of Cernaia during which the Zouaves, elite units of the French expeditionary force, donated this characteristic headdress to the Bersaglieri, in recognition of the valor expressed by the Italian troops on the battlefield.
The delivery of the fez to the riflemen, which was also attended by representatives of theNational Bersaglieri Association, fully sanctions their entry into the ranks of the heavy infantry units of the Italian Army.
The Chief of Staff, accompanied by the commander of the Institute, Brigadier General Eugenio Dessì, visited the infrastructure and training areas during the day and met with the civilian and military personnel of the School.
