Friday 14 March, at the Parlatorio Allievi of the’Air Force Academy a Pozzuoli, the individual swearing-in ceremony took place 76 Second Lieutenants from the Centaur VI Course and a Second Lieutenant of the Corso Borea VI. The young Officers – 36 Pilots, 11 from the Weapons Branch, 15 from the Aeronautical Engineering Corps, 7 from the Aeronautical Supply Corps, and 8 from the Aeronautical Medical Corps – have sworn their allegiance. loyalty to the Italian Republic individually, before the Institution's Flag, in the presence of the Commander of the Air Force Academy, Major General Luigi Casali, and the Commander of the Courses, Colonel Simone Agostino Rocca.
To further enhance the solemn ceremony, the presence of the National President of the Air Force Association, Air Chief Marshal Giulio Mainini, as well as Godfather of the Centaur III Course and Lieutenant Colonel Giangabriele Lo Pilato, Godfather of the Centaur V Course, as a testament to the strong bond that unites the different generations of the Centaur Corsi.
Also in attendance at the event, which marks one of the solemn moments of the academic training path, was a representation of the permanent staff, as well as the families of the future Armed Forces Commanders, who travelled from all over Italy to share a significant milestone in their lives.
In his speech, the Air Division General Luigi Casali, Commander of the Air Force Academy, after conveying the greetings of the Commander of the Air Force Schools / 3rd Air Region, General S.A. Silvano Frigerio and the Commander of the Air Squadron, General S.A. Alberto Biavati, as well as Godfather of the Centaur IV Course, highlighted the significance of the individual oath: “…To you, young Second Lieutenants, today before the Institute's Flag, you renew that commitment made during the collective oath, following your transition to young Officers of the Armed Forces. You have matured both professionally and personally, and this will allow you to manage the responsibilities that come with this change of status.”. At the end of his speech, addressing the parents “...Be aware of the abilities and potential of these young men, be proud of what they have achieved in these three years at the Academy, be proud of their choice, of having put themselves out there, of having decided to serve their country by doing the most beautiful job in the world!”
Before the end of the ceremony, General Mainini saluted the young “Centurions,” recalling his oath with emotion: “...You have a wonderful journey ahead of you, but in moments of despair, I urge you to think of the formula you have just spoken and you will surely overcome any difficulty. I take this opportunity to invite all of the Centauro VI Course to participate in the Centenary of the Centauro Courses, which will take place in October 2025, an important event to commemorate the birth of one of the three founding courses of the Air Force Academy!.
The individual oath represents one of the key steps in an Officer's career, a pivotal ceremony within the Academy that seals the bond with the Armed Force. A moment of great significance, symbolising the assumption of responsibility and the commitment to serve the Country with honour and loyalty.
The Air Force Academy is under the Command of the Air Force Schools / 3rd Air Force Region. It is a military institution of higher education of university character, tasked with recruiting and training young people who aspire to become Officers of the Air Force. By attending the Regular Courses of the Academy, one can become a Second Lieutenant in Permanent Active Service of the Air Force, in the normal Navigational Role (pilots) and in the Normal Role of Weapons, Aeronautical Engineering, the Air Force Commissariat Corps, and the Air Force Health Corps. The Institute also provides courses for Reserve, Fixed Term and Direct Appointment Second Lieutenants (both Normal and Special Roles); finally, the Academy's Study Plan includes courses with a specialised aeronautical focus, for foreign personnel and other Armed Forces.
