The ceremony for awarding Second Lieutenant ranks to 76 Cadets from the Zodiac V course took place on Friday 28 January in the theatre hall of the Air Force Academy, attended by – in their capacity as “Godfather”of the Zodiac III – the Chief of Staff of the Air Force, Air Force General Luca Goretti, along with the Lieutenant Colonel Domenico Di Giulio, head of Zodiac IV.
The presence of the “godfathers” at this simple but significant ceremony was not only a source of pride for the young newly promoted individuals, but further highlighted the strong bond that unites the different generations of the courses. Zodiac.
Very significant were the words of the Second Lieutenant Luca Matteucci, Zodiac V's capo corso: “Sidera Feriam, I shall reach out and touch the stars, is the motto that distinguishes us “Zodiacali”. Today's ceremony is another step towards the stars, towards our goals”Speaking also to the whole course: “We've just added another piece to our journey within the Air Force Academy. I think each of us over these years has formed their own idea of an officer, taking the best from the excellent people we've had the chance to interact with within this institution. Professional excellence, respect, being an example, dedication to service, and moral integrity are the words that best represent the deontology of an Italian Air Force officer. Now it's up to us to put into practice everything we've learned. I am sure that every member of Zodiac V will be able to make their own valuable contribution to our Armed Force.”.
It Air Force General Gianni Candotti, Commander of the Air Squadron, as well as course leader of Zodiac III, connecting remotely during the event, did not want to miss out on sending his affectionate best wishes to the Zodiac V course: “Today you are experiencing an important moment: the presentation of your first officer's commission, an event I still recall with pride.. Always addressing the young ”Zodiacs“: ”Each of you will be called upon to play your part as a leader; a difficult but interesting, passionate and rewarding task awaits you. In this Institute, you have been given the tools to face it in the best possible way, make good use of them. Good luck, lads and lasses, and welcome to the world of Officers.”.
“One of the qualities of the Zodiac course is that it is not stereotypical, it does not look at things according to patterns, but rather it is about changing patterns if necessary, without fear of making mistakes, without fear of daring, because it is only through the will to change that one improves.”, he underlined Chief of Staff of the Air Force in his speech.“The future is yours! We are giving it to you, we are giving it to you with the passion that our “godfathers” passed down to us, with the passion with which we passed it on to Zodiac IV, and I am convinced that passion is something you will always carry with you. Comradeship, team spirit, passion – these are important elements that make a person, an officer, a different, a special person. Welcome among us!”
Before the graduation ceremony, General Goretti attended a briefing illustrative, during which the main activities underway at the Air Force Academy were explained, including – in particular – the upcoming infrastructural plans affecting the Institute, the collaboration agreements with the Institutes for Polymers, Composites and Biomaterials (IPCB) and for Biomolecular Chemistry (ICB) del National Research Council in Pozzuoli, the developments of the Training Units Air Force Hackademy, Astra, Dart e Prometheus.
