Who Takes an Oath Now Undertakes Responsibility for the Future

The Chief of Defence said in his speech welcoming the oath-taking officers that establishing a state is among the greatest acts in a nation’s history, but maintaining, defending and renewing a state is an everyday duty.

“We, soldiers, carry on this noble errand. Because the idea of the home was not born with us, but the concept of service, which also means the future of the motherland, is in our hands”, he underlined.

He added that with 21st-century military technology, committed servicemembers, appropriate training and preparation, the Hungarian Defence Forces are indeed made combat-ready.

The Chief of Defence drew attention to the fact that the military oath cannot be annulled, and lights the whole path of soldiers, “as soldiers, leaders and people”.

He underlined that the oath-takers, as officers of the Hungarian Defence Forces, undertake to stand up for the Hungarian peace and values, as well as “the nearly one billion citizens of NATO, the community of the Alliance and the security of the European Union”.

General Dr. Gábor Böröndi called attention to the fact that soldiers not only connect the past to the present and the future, but also, from this moment, they set an example and become role models. In the eyes of Hungarian citizens, they will not only be leaders wearing a uniform, but also the embodiment of patriotism, decorum, bravery and commitment.

He also mentioned that responsibility will heavily weigh on the shoulders of the now oath-taking officers, “in the form of a kit bag or a weapon, or as decisions to be made”.

“However, if you have to decide, you should always bear the interests of the Hungarian people in mind because you serve the country, and each Hungarian citizen. Your task is to maintain and defend the country as true soldiers, avoiding the spotlight, if needed, but committed and with dignity”, he highlighted.

The Chief of Defence also said that the young officers will serve following the same military values in each barracks of the HDF, which gives such a strong basis that makes each challenge beatable.

He asked the officers to be loyal to their uniform and the idea they represent.

“Be loyal to the flag you serve and be loyal to yourselves even if no one else sees you”, he asked.

General Böröndi reminded the young officers not to forget to give thanks to their families and beloved ones for their support and to appreciate the invisible shield that the family’s support means, as it gives strength even when “the world around us seems to fall apart”.

“Do not be misled by the virtual reality: the value of the service cannot be measured in the number of posts or likes. Often the quietest acts turn out to be the most important ones, when you succeed silently, persistently and sedately, because we also serve when we do so not in public, when we do not receive appreciation, only do our task”, said the Chief of Defence.

This year, 132 servicemembers took an oath in front of the Houses of Parliament in Kossuth Square. The Hungarian officers confirmed their oath by drawing their swords and shouting “for the homeland, unto death”. After the oath-taking, Chief Field Rabbi Péter Totha, Protestant Military Bishop László Mészáros and Catholic Military Bishop Tibor Berta said prayers.

At the end of the commissioning ceremony, three Gripen fighter aircraft of the HDF performed a flypast above Kossuth Square, pulling red, white and green smoke lines to pay tribute to the oath-taking officers.