Honourable Minister of Defence!
Honourable Commander of the National Armed Forces!
Esteemed Rector of the National Defence Academy!
Officers and Academy’s faculty members!
Lieutenants and everyone present – family members, relatives and friends!
It is a great pleasure to be here with you today and to congratulate our newly commissioned lieutenants. Our Armed Forces are gaining a strong, motivated and patriotic new generation of officers. You began your studies at the time when Russia launched its invasion of Ukraine. You have mastered the fundamentals of the officer’s profession, the art of war, military theory, and everything that the National Defence Academy could provide to you at the beginning of your military careers.
However, I believe there is one thing you have come to understand during your studies – with receiving the rank of lieutenant, the presentation of your sword and the receipt of your diploma, nothing has come to an end. In fact, everything is only beginning. I am sure you understand very well that throughout your service you will have to learn every day. You must learn from your commanders, from your fellow service members, and also from your subordinates. Just as leadership, decisions and action will be expected of you.
I would like to express my sincere gratitude to the faculty, officers, instructors and all members of staff of the National Defence Academy for the contribution you have made over the past four years and more. Thank you for everything you have done to ensure that our Armed Forces are strengthened by capable young officers.
To the lieutenants, I wish you never lose your motivation. The Academy’s motto is “through hardships to the stars”. As you embark upon this journey, I wish for you look towards the stars more and feel the thorns less. I would also encourage you, young lieutenants, not to forget that, alongside your service, family is equally important. Try, as far as the demands of service allow, to divide your time between the two as evenly as possible. You are beginning your service at a particularly challenging time. We can see that the situation along our borders remains far from calm. Our society and our nation place their trust in our Armed Forces, and we place our trust in all of you. I am confident that you will carry out your duties with honour.
I am certain that this is only the beginning of your journey. The rank of lieutenant, the first star, is just the start. It will be followed by the ranks of First Lieutenant and Lieutenant Colonel, and for some perhaps even the rank of Lieutenant General. Whatever course your service and military career may take, remember what the Academy has given you. Remember that you have every opportunity to fulfil your potential, both in military and civilian service.
Almost 30 years ago, in this very building, another young lieutenant had no idea how his career as an officer would unfold or where it would lead him. Like many of you today, he was full of anxiety and was not smiling very much. Today he asked me why the lieutenants were not applauding. I replied that they simply did not dare. Over the course of nearly 30 years of service, that individual has reached the highest career level. I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate the Commander of our National Armed Forces Kaspars Pudāns on being awarded the rank of Lieutenant General, the highest military rank in the Latvian Armed Forces.
And to all of you, I wish to always strive for the stars and strive for achievement. I am absolutely certain that in some thirty years' time, one of you will be welcoming a new generation of lieutenants and perhaps recalling the day when you yourselves received this rank.
To the family members present today, I would like to say thank you for your support. The young officers will continue to need it in the years ahead. Thank you!
