The midshipmen of this year’s graduating class have been working towards this day for over three years. The 52 members of the “Captain Neusser” class and one member of the “Dragoon Regiment 7” class sit tensely in the riding hall of the military academy. In front of them is a platform with tables on which rolls, academy rings and a sabre are laid out. Numerous guests of honor have attended the event, although this is not a matter of course this year. The midshipmen’s families can also enjoy this special day with their loved ones and take part in this celebration. This day is special, measures such as the unusual seating arrangements, the distances between the individual people and the somewhat peculiar procedure do not interfere with this.
Once again, the welcome, the music and the ceremonial speech seem to take a little longer than usual, but that’s also necessary. With the academic oath, the midshipmen’s pulses rise a little. They step up to the podium individually. This is the moment they have all been waiting for. They finally hold it in their hands. The roll with the decree awarding the academic degree “Bachelor of Arts in Military Leadership” and the lieutenant’s commission. The academy ring, presented by the proud academy commander Major General Karl Pronhagl, also sparkles beautifully in its box. But that was not all for two of the new lieutenants. One of them, Lieutenant Bernd Weninger, received the golden academy ring from the Federal Minister of Defense, Klaudia Tanner, for his achievements as the best in his year. In his speech, he prepares his comrades for what lies ahead: “The road from desk to deployment is not a long one, some of us will already be deployed in Asia or the Balkans in a few weeks’ time.” The other is the one who had to listen to the midshipmen’s concerns for three years and represent the year group to the outside world. Lieutenant Oliver Seidl had an additional major responsibility as the year’s spokesman. The Chief of the General Staff, General Robert Brieger, honors the fulfillment of this not always easy task with the award of an officer’s sabre.
“A special year deserves an extraordinary ambience,” said the head of the degree program, Brigadier Jürgen Wörgötter, introducing the ceremony. He is referring to the special effort of the event organization that was required to make this evening possible. The promotion to lieutenant marks the end of the three-year officer training program at the Theresian Military Academy. Expectations are high for the three women and 49 men. In difficult times, tasks await them that require flexibility, motivation and ingenuity. At the same time, the young officers will be awarded the academic title “Bachelor of Arts in Military Leadership” by Professor Dietmar Rößl, Chairman of the College of Advanced Studies at the Federal Ministry of Defense: “I congratulate you – be proud of your successfully completed stage of life and the associated achievements.”
Further information on the website of the military academy.
