On Wednesday the 54th class of combat officers gathered for the graduation ceremony in Mitzpe Ramon under the watchful eyes of Deputy Chief of General Staff Major-General Eyal Zamir, Ground Forces Commander General Yoel Strick, Officers School Commander Colonel Guy Levy and other top brass – as well as all their families, friends and alumni.
As of Sunday, the graduates will be placed in command positions in the combat units of the ground forces, each returning to the corps from which they came.
The words of Deputy Chief of Staff Maj. Gen. Eyal Zamir: “Now it’s your turn, you’re an officer,” said Zamir to the male officers, “and you’re an officer,” he said with a nod to the female officers.
“Remember that being an officer in the State of Israel is binding; we expect you to behave ethically, to take responsibility for your actions.
“You are motivated by a high level of performance, fresh thinking, and an advanced sense of criticism, dear officers.
“You preserve the mission and act on two imperatives – the first, to accomplish the task, and the second command, to take care of your soldiers.
“We attribute great importance to all the elements of building the force: – air force, naval, high-quality intelligence, the technological front – but above all, the IDF’s main defensive force was and remains, that which is on land. Armored Corps, Engineering and Artillery, Commando and Combat Forces – forces that know how to maneuver, defend, and attack with leadership, agility, and stratagem.
“In the name of the Chief of the General Staff, the General Staff and on my own behalf – we greet your families, and offer congratulations to the new infantry officers.
Go ahead, lead your units; the entire nation trusts in you and is proud of you.”