The ceremony was presided over by the Undersecretary of State for Defence, Senator Isabella Rauti
Today, Friday 1st March, in the Great Hall of the Air Force Military Science Institute (ISMA) in Florence, the ceremony took place for the oath of the 37 first-year students attending the Military Aeronautics School “G. Douhet”.
The event was presided over by Undersecretary of State for Defence, Senator Isabella Rauti, accompanied by the Commander of the AM Schools/3rd Air Region, Air Squad General Silvano Frigerio.
At the opening of the ceremony, the Commander of the Douhet School, Colonel Massimiliano Macioce, spoke and – while congratulating the young cadets – welcomed them into the great family of the Italian Armed Forces.
Following this, the solemn ceremony of the Oath of allegiance to the Republic, pronounced before the School Flag the civil, religious and military authorities as well as their parents and family members.
After shouting their “I swear”, for the 37 students it was the moment of Course Baptism who took the name Vega and the motto “Judge of Heaven, Light of the Moors” (Judge in heaven, light of the ideal). Godfather of the Vega Course, Air Brigadier General Giovanni Francesco Adamo, Commander of the Air Force Military Science Institute.
Mountain Paratrooper Sergeant Major Andrea Adorno attended the ceremony, Gold Medal of Military Valour, who wanted to send a message of good wishes to the young trainees who today took the solemn oath of allegiance to the Republic.
The ceremony continued with the speech by General S.A. Silvano Frigerio, who in his capacity as senior military authority brought the greetings of the Chief of the Defence Staff, Admiral Giuseppe Dragon Cable and of the Chief of Staff of the Air Force, Air Squad General Luca Goretti. He subsequently praised the very great value of the Oath formula because: “it consecrates and anchors in time the moment when, with their shout, these young people consciously made the commitment to serve the country in uniform, openly declaring their intention.
The formula spoken constitutes a solemn promise, undertaken with emotion, by youngsters who, although not yet of legal age, they expressed a firm desire to embrace the values of the military institution and to commit to growing, educating and training within it, in order to be ready to serve the Nation and the community.
Addressing the girls and boys of the Vega Course directly, General Frigerio then wished to offer them: “the affectionate welcome of the entire Armed Force, which welcomes you and makes you part of its long history made up of great protagonists and incredible deeds. Loyalty, honour and discipline; these are the words contained in the formula of the Oath you have taken, words that do not constitute a mere proclamation, but clearly and unequivocally represent the values by which each of you must inspire your daily work as young citizen soldiers.
He finally spoke Undersecretary of State for Defence, Senator Isabella Rauti, who, addressing the students of the 18th Course, emphasised how “this choice requires commitment, sacrifice and the assumption of responsibility, rewarded by an education of excellence. The Oath you have sworn in the presence of the Institute's Flag, before your commanders and your family members – continued the Undersecretary – it is a solemn act that marks entry into the family of the Air Force and Defence”.
It Vega, made up of 22 lads and 15 lasses from all over Italy, was the 18th Course to swear an oath of allegiance to the Republic while wearing the uniform of the Douhet.
The Military Aviation School “Giulio Douhet”, which is under the Institute of Air Force Military Sciences, was inaugurated in 2006 and over the years has seen more than 550 cadet officers belonging to the Astro, Bora, Crono, Dardo, Espero, Fides, Ghibli, Iris, Lyra, Mito, Nadir, Omega, Perseo, Rigel, Sirio, Taurus, and Ursa courses take their oath.
The Douhet – which currently houses 93 pupils – is a Upper secondary school which carries out the courses of the second three-year period in the classical and scientific branches, which is accessed by Public competition. Humanistic and scientific training, as planned in the Educational Offer
Formative and in line with the ministerial programmes for the final three years of the Classical and Scientific Lyceums, it is supported by multiple cultural, sports and educational activities.
The purpose of the Institute is to foster balanced growth in its pupils, from a human, cultural, moral, physical, and character perspective, so that they possess the necessary skills to face the challenges of the future.
