You are expected to bring new knowledge to the Macedonian Army (ARM) and transfer everything you learned in the past four years to the army's commands and units, President and Armed Forces Supreme Commander Gjorge Ivanov said Wednesday at the promotion of cadets from the 13th class into Second Lieutenants, the first generation after since the academy's revival in 2009.

"We expect you to contribute to strengthening the combat readiness and morale of our army...At the moment when Macedonia joins the Alliance you are going to be our NATO-officers," Ivanov said.

The human potential is vital for maintaining a modern, highly professional army and therefore the Ministry is investing great efforts in the development of academic, scientific process at the Military Academy, said Defense Minister Talat Xhaferi.

We see you as officers who will contribute to the development and advancement of the ARM and the Republic of Macedonia with great motivation, professionalism and skill, Xhaferi said.

"You have chosen a difficult and responsible profession that will serve our country, the Republic of Macedonia, a profession that requires courage, professionalism, enthusiasm and dedication," said the ARM Chief of Staff, Major General Gorancho Koteski.

Moreover, he advised the Second Lieutenants to be guided by the interests of Macedonia and ARM in achieving the country's strategic goals.

During the ceremony the three most prominent Second Lieutenants in the class were given additional awards – Selma Biberovic, Mile Kostovski and Katerina Zlatanovska got a gun, binoculars and watch respectively.

The first class of the Military Academy after its restart produced 34 cadets into Second Lieutenants, 7 of which are female. During their education, the cadets got the opportunity to learn and acquire advanced knowledge of the military, natural, social, technical and humanistic sciences and were able to chose one of the branches, i.e. infantry, artillery and signals. In the course of the lectures they received several specific trainings, including training at the individual, section and platoon level in winter and summer conditions, motor vehicle operation training, platoon commander course and and participation in the International Summer Campus 2010, 2011 and 2012.

The Academy "General Mihailo Apostolski" is the only military university level educational and scientific institution in the country. Starting from the 2010/2011 academic year, the Military Academy promoted its regional cooperation by educating cadets from Montenegro (total of 13), and in the 2012/2013 academic year, cadets from BiH (3) and Kosovo (4 total). To date, the cadets of the Military Academy have participated in several working meetings and sport competitions where they got the opportunity to exchange experience with their colleagues from other countries, including Turkey, France, Italy, England, Montenegro etc.