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Serbian–Hungarian exchange of lessons learned

Text: HDF vitéz Sándor Szurmay Budapest Garrison Brigade | Photo: Balázs Pete |  11:33 July 26, 2024

A delegation of the Belgrade-based Guard of the Serbian Armed Forces has recently paid its first visit to the Hungarian Defence Forces vitéz Sándor Szurmay Budapest Garrison Brigade. The members of the delegation gained an insight primarily into the brigade’s diversified system of tasks, first and foremost into the everyday life of the 32nd Bodyguard Regiment.

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Like the 32nd Bodyguard Regiment, the Guard of the Serbian Armed Forces is responsible for providing honor guards at official ceremonies and for performing special security duties in Belgrade. The unit is composed of four battalions: Command Battalion, Honor Guard Battalion, Logistics Battalion and 25th Military Police Battalion, all of which are based in the capital, Belgrade.

During their four-day program, the members of the Serbian delegation were introduced to the structure of the brigade by Acting Deputy Chief of Staff Lieutenant Colonel Zoltán Fenyvesi. Colonel Tamás Zsolnai, the commander of the ceremonial unit informed them about the duties of the 32nd Bodyguard Regiment. Besides visiting the unit museum in the barracks, the foreign guests also attended an introductory tattoo of the Budapest Garrison Band, which is also assigned to the unit, followed by a spectacular display of the Special Military Drill Team. The members of the Serbian delegation had the opportunity to see the military equipment and the weapons as well.

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The Serbian delegation also observed the ceremonial and protocol duties performed by the brigade at their characteristic venues (Szent György Square, Lajos Kossuth Square, House of Parliament). Its members were present at Sándor Palace during the changing of the guard demonstrated by the palace guards, and while visiting the House of Parliament, they had an opportunity to see the Crown Guard. On the last day of their stay in Hungary, they also participated in the reception of the Egyptian minister of defence, and a horse show of the Count Ferenc Nádasdy Hussar Squadron in the National Riding Hall.