The joint ceremony was held at the Air Force Marshals School in the presence of the Minister of Defence, Guido Crosetto, and the leaders of the two Armed Forces.
Today, Friday 19 April, took place in Viterbo, at the School for Air Force Marshals, the ceremony of Joint swearing-in ceremony of the 26th Course of Italian Army Marshal Trainees and the corresponding Course of Air Force Marshal Trainees.
The ceremony, presided over by Secretary of Defence Guido Crosetto, and in the presence of Chief of Staff of the Air Force, Air Force General Luca Goretti, of the Chief of Staff of the Army, Army Corps General Carmine Masiello, and by numerous military, civil, and religious authorities, saw allegiance sworn to the Italian Republic and its Institutions 140 Officer Cadets of the “Fermezza” Course of the Italian Army Non-Commissioned Officer School and 135 Officer Cadets of the “Gladius II” Course of the Air Force Officer School.
Also present the Responsible for the training of the two Armed Forces, the Army Corps General Carlo Lamanna, Commander for Training, Specialisation and Doctrine of the Army, and the Air Force General Silvano Frigerio, Commander of the Air Force Schools and the 3rd Air Force Region, as well as all the highest authorities of the territory, from the Deputy Mayor of Viterbo, Dr. Alfonso Antoniozzi, to the Prefect of Viterbo, Dr. Gennaro Capo, to the President of the Province of Viterbo, Dr. Alessandro Romoli, and the Bishop of the Diocese of Viterbo, H.E. Msgr. Orazio Francesco Piazza.
After the entry, into the ceremony venue, of the Standard of the City of Viterbo and the Province of Viterbo, of the Flags of the War Veterans and Armed Forces Associations and, subsequently, of the Institutional Flag of the Army NCO School and the Air Force Marshal School, the Commander of the Air Force Marshals School, Colonel Gianluca Spina, and the Commander of the Army NCO School, Col. Fabrizio Barone, calling their respective School Flags to attention, they read the two Oaths, sealed by the emotional cry of “I swear”, vibrato in unison by the two sworn Courses and by the Flyover of a formation of TH-500, HH-139 and HH-101 helicopters of the Italian Air Force.
“Today's commitment is an intimate moral pledge you have made to the country and your own conscience, a commitment that forms the foundation upon which to build your life and your identity as a soldier. It is a concentration of values that should serve as an example to your colleagues, but also to all Italians who look to the military institutions as a place to place their trust and entrust their safety.“, he said Colonel Spina in his speech.“You will soon stand alongside those engaged in the defence of national airspace, in operations abroad, in humanitarian transport missions or in rescue efforts for populations affected by natural disasters. Undertake this commitment with loyalty and, in the difficult times that will come, remember the feelings you are experiencing and the principles we have instilled in you during your training.“.
Following this, he took the floor Colonel Barone che, addressing the young students, urged them to be “brave, not only physically but above all morally, that courage which you must draw on in abundance to make the difficult decisions you will inevitably face. Be curious and hungry for knowledge; it is the only way to always be part of the solution to the operational problems that will arise. The Army has many ambitious expectations of you, and I am certain that you will prove yourselves worthy of those who have gone before you. I am certain that your steadfastness will guide you along the path of duty and honour.“.
The ceremony, punctuated by the notes of a Mixed Band comprising components of the’Italian Army and of the’Italian Air Force, and then continued with Christening of the 26th Course of AM Marshals – which took its name from “Claudius II” delivered by Bishop of the City of Viterbo, H.E. Monsignor Orazio Francesco Piazza, and with the subsequent “Blessing of the Standard” Mate, from the hands of the President Chief of the Warrant Officers, Non-Commissioned Officers and Servicemen of the Air Force, 1st Lieutenant Mario Bonaventura, it passed to those of the Godfather of the Course, 1st M.llo Raffaele Esposito, and in turn to the Head of the Course. A traditional moment of exchange that ideally symbolises the handover of values, traditions, and ideals between generations of marshals who have served and will continue to serve the country. Following this, the reading of the Prayer for the Fatherland by the Course Leader of the Swearing-in Course of the Army, already named “Firmness”on incorporation.
“You have chosen to become part of a new family, in addition to the one that comes from your personal affections, that of the Defence Forces.“, he said Secretary of Defence Guido Crosetto in his speech.“I am honoured to represent the State which bows to the life choices you have made. I do not ask you to be heroes, but to be just and to know how to discern, always, good from evil, right from wrong. To all of you, I entrust a part of my future and yours, which is also the future of us all: the defence of the Homeland.“.
To review all the stages of the oath, go to the channel Royal Air Force YouTube (www.youtube.com/AeronauticaMilitareOfficial ) and on that of’Army (https://www.youtube.com/@ESERCITOITALIANO).
Some information on the “Glaudius II” Course and the NCO School of the Air Force/Viterbo Airport Command
The 26th Regular Course for Air Force Marshals“ Cadets is comprised of 135 cadets (102 male and 33 female), of whom 91 are attending the Degree Course in Political Science and International Relations (SPRI) – Curriculum in Aeronautical Professions Science and Techniques, belonging to the L-36 class ”Class of degrees in Political Science and International Relations“, while 44 are attending the Degree Course in Industrial Engineering – Curriculum in Aeronautical Maintenance Science and Techniques, belonging to the L-09 class ”Class of degrees in Engineering” at the University of Tuscia in Viterbo.
The Italian Air Force Marshals School/Viterbo Airport Command is under the authority of the Commander of the Italian Air Force Schools and the 3rd Air Region. The Department has a dual mission: on one hand, as a university-level institution, it is responsible for the military and moral training and specific professional instruction of Non-Commissioned Officers of the Marshals role, as well as for the refinement and updating of this training; on the other hand, as a military airport open to civilian traffic, it ensures the provision of Air Navigation Services and guarantees, in accordance with the provisions of sector operational plans, the efficiency of airport facilities for flight operations.
Some information about the “Steadfastness” Course and the NCO Academy of the Army
The 26th “Fermezza” Warrant Officer Trainees Course is made up of 140 trainees (122 men and 18 women) enrolled in the Degree Course in “Political Science and International Relations (SPRI) – Curriculum “Organisational and Management Science” class L-36 at the University of Tuscia – Department of Economics, Engineering, Society and Business (DEIM).
The Army Non-Commissioned Officers School is directly under the command of the Army Training, Specialisation and Doctrine Command and is the entity responsible for the basic and advanced training of all the Armed Force's Non-Commissioned Officers. The primary objective of the Institute is to train Non-Commissioned Officers for the Marshal and Sergeant roles, providing them with adequate technical-professional preparation and a cultural background appropriate to their role, forming motivated, morally mature, physically fit, professionally competent junior unit commanders who are aware of the characteristics necessary to exercise effective and credible leadership, including in international contexts.
Specifically, the training path for Apprentice Marshals is realised by combining university-level teaching with a demanding programme of military activities, both theoretical and practical, carried out at the School of Army Weapons and Specialities and in numerous military areas/facilities located across the country, alongside intensive physical and sports training, to build and consolidate the foundations for best fulfilling the role of Platoon Commander.
