Eighteen new officers have been added to the ranks of the Kosovo Security Force. The graduation ceremony for the 2025 cadet class of the Kosovo Security Force was held at the “Adem Jashari” barracks in Pristina. Duty, honor, and homeland — these were the values asked of the cadets to remember whenever they wear the uniform.
Before the graduated cadets, the supreme commander, President Vjosa Osmani, said there is no greater honor than to serve the homeland with heart.
“There is no greater honor than to serve the homeland with heart, with oath and uniform. This saying is attributed to you today, honored graduating cadets of the 2025 generation of the Kosovo Security Force. You are a fortunate generation because the crowning of your success coincides with the 20th anniversary of the founding of the Center for University Studies, our national asset which in 20 years has produced hundreds of officers who have made us proud not only with successes in strengthening and growing our army, but also with countless achievements on the international stage. This ceremony marks not only the end of a stage but also the beginning of a new sacred responsibility for each of you,” Osmani declared.
At the cadet graduation ceremony, Osmani said they were trained with the educational and training module according to the doctrine of the U.S. army and NATO standards.
According to her, the graduates are ready to carry out the sacred mission and duties in multinational joint operations.
“Your force is the legacy of the Kosovo Liberation Army and the trust of the martyrs who sacrificed everything for the freedom we enjoy today. You are our trust that the Republic of Kosovo will always be in safe, honest, and determined hands. The 2025 generation, you are the reflection of a force marching confidently toward NATO, toward the highest defense standards, and toward its worthy role in defending peace inside and beyond our borders. In my role as supreme commander of the KSF, I am aware of the significance of your first step four years ago when your dream to become cadets of the Defense Academy was touched and the importance of your challenging journey to reach today,” Osmani expressed.
Acting Prime Minister Albin Kurti said that from today the cadets begin a noble but also challenging work.
“Just as the eagle — fearless eyes embroidered as an emblem on your shoulder — our soldiers are ready anytime and anywhere to guarantee the security of citizens and to protect the Republic of Kosovo. Standing here before you, I want to express the pride I feel for the Kosovo Security Force, for each and every one of you here. Undoubtedly, your success today is the result of a great team effort, ministerial investment in the training and education of soldiers, and the supply of weapons. Even more so, it is your spiritual and intellectual investment and the unwavering support of your families,” he said.
At the cadet graduation ceremony, Kurti added that they are the pillar on which the structural and professional path of the Force will continue.
“Kosovo geographically, ideologically, morally, and politically is Europe. Therefore, membership in the democratic European family to which we belong is inevitably not only necessary but also required. With the martyrs of the nation in our hearts and professional lessons in our minds, congratulations to the graduating cadets,” Kurti added.
The youngest officers of the KSF also took their oath before the commander of the Center for University Studies.
In her final address to this generation, the commander of the Center for University Studies, Major Mimoza Poteci, advised the new officers.
“My first advice, boys and girls, at the moment you decided to become soldiers, you did not choose a profession but a way of life. A way of life that requires sacrifice and selflessness. A way of life that puts the state, the people, the institution, and others before our interests. Therefore, every morning you wake up, every day you continue your work, I want you to remember three things: duty, honor, homeland. Never forget the reason why you serve and wear the uniform. My second advice, never lack the courage to make decisions; fear of failure or defeat should never be the reasons for not making difficult decisions,” she said.
On behalf of the class of this generation, Zana Hashani said they will defend the freedom for which the soldiers of the KLA once paid with their lives.
“Today we mark the end of a four-year journey as cadets at the Center for University Studies, which we started on August 29, 2021. Undoubtedly, this journey was full of challenges; we had sleepless nights and cold days in the field, moments when we doubted ourselves but never the mission to become officers who lead by example and whose main purpose is service to the homeland. Often I was asked, ‘Why did you choose to become part of the KSF?’ remembering Kosovo’s glorious history, the sacrifices of previous generations, the barbaric crimes that our families experienced during the war, I think the question should be, ‘Why not be part of the KSF?’ Kosovo’s freedom was won with blood, by the boys and girls of the KLA who in the darkest years of our people did everything for the homeland… today, 18 new officers join the KSF ready to serve, to lead by example, and to dignifiedly protect every inch of this country,” she said.
During this ceremony, it was noted that this academic year had the highest level of individual academic performance.
At the graduation ceremony, the ceremonial drill was performed by the cadet ceremonial guard. The president of the country, the acting prime minister Albin Kurti, and the commander of the Kosovo Security Force, Bashkim Jashari, handed out diplomas to the cadets.
