40 new recruits, including one military musician, pledged their allegiance to Luxembourg's constitution during the 204th solemn ceremony of the Luxembourg Army, marking the culmination of four months of intensive training amid heightened global tensions.
During the 204th solemn ceremony of the Luxembourg Army on Friday, 39 soldiers and one military musician swore their allegiance to the Luxembourgish constitution. They pledged obedience to the constitution, the laws of the state, military regulations, and loyalty to the Grand Duke and the flag.
The event marked the end of four months of rigourous training, but also a milestone in their path towards a profession that has recently gained renewed relevance. The next steps for the new soldiers will include advanced individual instruction followed by specialised training to prepare them for roles within various units of the armed forces.
Against the backdrop of an ongoing war in Ukraine and international uncertainty ahead of Trump's return to the White House, the geopolitical climate seems increasingly precarious. The notion of a military emergency no longer feels like a distant possibility, but a growing concern.
During the ceremony, colonel Alain Schoeben and Defence Minister Yuriko Backes addressed the growing challenges facing the Luxembourg Army. Their speeches spoke of the war in Ukraine, Russia's betrayal of international trust, and the developing demands on the military.
Minister Backes also used the opportunity to praise the recruits for their achievement: "I congratulate the 40 soldiers who have successfully completed their four months of basic training. We are proud of your performance and your commitment to defending the country and collective security."
At the same time, however, the Luxembourg Army faces its own difficulties, as recruitment numbers are in decline. Last September, 20 fewer recruits signed up than the usual post-summer intake, raising concerns about sustaining military readiness. Army chief general Steve Thull noted that the current cohort of 39 new soldiers falls short of the 45 recruits usually expected per session. While it is too soon to declare a clear trend, it remains a pressing issue.
One of the newly sworn-in recruits is 20-year-old Can Güler, who was named the best soldier of the 204th recruitment session. Güler, who aspires to become an officer, chose to complete the basic training path over the military academia to gain firsthand experience of army life. Reflecting on the fourth months of physical and mental strain, he concluded that 'the longer I'm here, the more I seem to fall in love with the profession".
When asked about current geopolitical tensions, Güler acknowledged they were a concern for him and his family. Still, he underlined that every soldier understands the repercussions they face when they join the armed forces.
