In the Courtyard of Honor of the Ducal Palace of Modena, home of the Military Academy, this morning the officer students of the 205th "Fierezza" course took the solemn oath, in the presence of the Chief of Defense Staff, Admiral Giuseppe Cavo Dragone, of the Army chief of staff, general of the army corps Carmine Masiello, and of the general commander of the Carabinieri, general of the army corps Teo Luzi.
The solemn act, which took place in the presence of the Flag of the Institute and in front of the godfather of the course, Lieutenant Colonel Gianfranco Paglia, Gold Medal for Military Valour, sealed the entry of the officer students into the ranks of the Italian Army and the Carabinieri and their intimate and spiritual adherence to the ideals, traditions and values - cornerstones of military ethics - set in the traditional formula of the oath, pronounced by the commander of the Military Academy, division general Davide Scalabrin.
The civil and religious authorities of the area also attended the ceremony, including the mayor, Gian Carlo Muzzarelli, the prefect, Dr. Alessandra Camporota and the rector of the University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, prof. Carlo Adolfo Porro, in the name of the most solid and long-standing ties between the living institutions of the country.
The Chief of Defense Staff addressed the young officer cadets, highlighting that “The Head of State, the Minister of Defence, all the institutions and all the citizens look to us, but above all to you, who are the future as a garrison of democracy, freedom and as a safe point of reference for security and stability . I ask you to be authoritative representatives and interpreters of the highest values that inspire the work of the Armed Forces in the Italian society of which we participate - we are an integral part of it - and to live up to the great expectations that our fellow citizens have of us. you. I expect that, with your example, with your perspicacity, with your youthful energy, you will ensure that continuous transfer of experiences and values which is the basis of the necessary process of osmosis between society and the Armed Forces."
The Army Chief of Staff, addressing the future commanders, underlined that "by swearing loyalty to the Italian Republic, you have assumed the responsibility of defending it with the Constitution and the free institutions that embody it. It is a contract that you sign in front of the Tricolore, it is a pact of honor that binds you to your homeland - specified General Masiello. You will be commanders of women and men - he continued - for whom your example and your ability to grow, evolve and serve together with them will constitute the highest form of education.
Take care of them and be messengers and interpreters of our world to our society, through a mutual transfer of experiences and knowledge.
Yours is a noble, but difficult mission! It requires commitment, maximum honesty and rectitude, continuous study and updating, constant adaptation of techniques, incessant application of new technologies, to contribute to an organized and modern military instrument, which embodies, in the name and for the affirmation of the values of peace, justice and freedom, to a real, credible and perceivable by all, and therefore dissuasive, deterrence."
The 205th "Fierezza" course is attended by 230 officer students, of which 216 Italians and 14 foreigners, coming from eleven different countries. The event was broadcast live streaming, on the Army's social platforms, to allow such an important act to be shared with all those who, unable to participate, interact in the life of the cadets.
The Military Academy of Modena, established on 1 January 1678 with the name of Royal Academy, is today the military training institute of a university nature, responsible for the initial training of future military officers and doctors of the normal role of the Italian Army and the Carabinieri, in a course of study that will lead to a degree in Strategic Sciences, Engineering, Medicine and Surgery, Veterinary Medicine, Law, Chemistry and Pharmaceutical Technologies.
