The ceremony took place near Walferdange Castle, commemorating a milestone for the new soldiers, who not only swore their oath to the Luxembourg constitution but were also presented with the traditional fourragères, the symbol of their belonging to the army and of the completion of their intensive basic training.
The event was attended by a number of senior military and political figures, including Defence Minister Yuriko Backes, Latvian Defence Minister Andris Sprūds and Colonel Alain Schoeben. Among the 42 recruits, two were women.
On the question of the army's overall numbers, Chief of Staff Steve Thull struck a confident tone. "We are well on our way," he said, noting that recent recruitment figures are broadly in line with targets. He did, however, stress that growth alone is not enough. "If we demand a lot from people, it is also important that they receive proper remuneration and that society recognises the importance of this job. But we are not as badly off as some might think, quite the opposite."
For recruit Yana Wilmes, one of two women among the new intake, the swearing-in ceremony was the culmination of four months of demanding basic training. "As a child, and even as a young person, the military profession fascinated me," she said. "I always felt it was important to do something for the country, to give something back. The moment I saw my family standing there was a moment of pride, also the fact that I made it through basic training. It was not always easy, and there were moments when I doubted my decision, but I am proud to be standing here now."
The ceremony also included the presentation of medals to army members who had taken part in international missions, and the official introduction of a new adjutant of the corps.
