Penza, 1 September 2015. PenzaNews. The freshmen of the Penza artillery engineering institute swore the military oath in an official ceremony held on Tuesday, September 1.

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The event began with an address of Lieutenant General Nikolai Parshin, head artillery department chief in the Russian Ministry of Defense.

“Out of all military customs, swearing the oath of loyalty to the Motherland is one of the most vivid and important events with a special meaning. From that moment on, a young man becomes a true defender of the Fatherland, the vanguard of peace and order on its borders,” he said.

188 military university cadets in 36 regions of Russia swore an oath on September 1, Nikolai Parshin added.

“Those cadets who follow a higher education course will stay here for five years, while vocational courses attendants will be students here for three years. Your studies will be followed by military service in all subdivisions of the Russian Army,” he added.

His speech was followed by the ceremony of oath, attended by the acting governor of the Penza region Ivan Belozertsev, who congratulated the cadets with Knowledge Day afterwards.

“I would like to wish you to increase the honor and glory of the Russian officer corps,” he stressed.

The service for the defensive might of the country is particularly important nowadays, said the head of the region.

“Your service is a tough one, but for a man there is no service more important than the service to the Motherland,” Ivan Belozertsev said.

The acting governor also awarded Colonel Alexander Pinishin and assistant professor Leonid Bestuzhev letters of gratitude.

Andrei Sakmaev, Penza city Duma deputy, board chairman of the regional civil and social initiative support charity fund “Veteran,” also addressed the cadets with a speech of congratulation.

He stressed that knowledge is imperative for any victory.

At the end of the event, the freshmen received a blessing of the Orthodox Church.