The cadets solemnly swore allegiance to the Fatherland at the prestigious premises of the historic Taranto seaplane base in the presence of the Chief of Staff of the Air Force.
On Friday 1st July, in the historic, century-old setting of the Taranto seaplane base, the one-year fixed-term voluntary trainees (VFP1) of the Italian Air Force were the protagonists of the oath of allegiance to the Italian Republic at the Air Force Volunteer School (SVAM). The ceremony was presided over by Air Division General Luca Goretti, Chief of Staff of the Italian Air Force, accompanied by Warrant Officer Giuseppe Giannetti, Chief President of the Non-Commissioned Officers, Warrant Officers and Other Ranks, in the presence of the Commander of the Air Force Schools / 3rd Air Region, Air Division General Silvano Frigerio, as well as the highest civil, military and religious representatives.
At the conclusion of the general training course, which began on 6th June and was held at SVAM, 259 trainees of the 26th VFP1 “GIANO II – 1st intake” course, the stars of the day, experienced a moment full of emotion which reached its peak when they recited the solemn “I swear!” in front of numerous family members who had come from all over Italy. The event, further enhanced by the Fanfare, also provided particularly significant moments when the “godfather”, a graduate belonging to the “GIANO I” course held in Taranto in 2008, presented the pennant to the top trainee, a symbol of tradition and continuity of aeronautical values, after which the “Oriflamme”, bearing the names of all those who took the oath, was raised to the sky.
The Commander of the SVAM, Colonel Claudio Castellano, after thanking the authorities, addressing the students and those present, highlighted how “with a moved and passionate spirit, I turn my gaze to the Institute's Flag here to my right, which unites and embraces us military personnel and all Italian citizens who recognise the noblest ethical and moral values in the tricolour.” Furthermore, explaining the journey that allowed each student to experience this unforgettable day, he stressed how this course enters the Air Force on the eve of the Armed Force's Centenary, born on 28 March 1923. He therefore concluded by wishing the male and female students to “always be coherent and faithful to this oath, even in the most extreme conditions, respecting the commitment made to yourselves and before the Italian Flag.”.
The Chief of Staff of the Air Force, after renewing his welcome greetings to the many authorities present, thanked the cadets“ parents ”for having successfully raised and educated young people who, more than ever before, fully aware of the responsibilities they are undertaking, have had the determination to courageously make a distinctive and responsible choice for the Country and the community,“ underscoring the importance of the teachings received from the permanent staff of the SVAM, which must be ”a constant reference for your entire professional journey in the Air Force, as they synthesise the set of aeronautical virtues on which each of us must continue to develop our own specific professionalism, with coherence, loyalty, and absolute determination."
At the conclusion of the ceremony, inside the hangar, in the presence of all family members, at the invitation of the Chief of Staff of the Air Force, the cadets threw their caps into the air, thus sealing the end of the first training phase. Finally, the cathartic embrace exchanged between the newly sworn individuals and their families was an emotional moment.
The SVAM is the only national training and instruction centre that provides basic military and moral training for personnel destined to serve in the Air Force, as well as their specific professional instruction. The School reports to the A.M. Schools Command/3rd Air Region, one of the three Top Commands of the Armed Force, which is responsible for the selection, recruitment, military, cultural and professional training of Air Force personnel and flight training (at an international level), through the study and adoption of innovative teaching and training methodologies focused on the learner and informed by innovation, creativity, optimisation of human and material resources, environmental sustainability, and constant engagement with institutions and the local area in service to the community.
