Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister, Damir Krsticevic, was formally inducted into the US Army College International Fellows Hall of Fame on May 22, 2018.
He is the first Croatian officer who successfully graduated from this College, in 1998. He is also the first Croatian Defence Minister to receive this honour.
“This is a great recognition for me, for the Croatian Army, and Croatia. I am honoured to represent my Croatia, a small country which fights above its category. On this special day I wish to thank all the soldiers, and officers, my colleagues who are responsible for this recognition,” said Krsticevic.
“Education at the US Army War College helped my a lot in strategic planning and decision making. My year at the War College really showed me what source of strength is international cooperation in the modern global society. I will always feel privileged to have been a part of this esteemed institution,” he said.
The Minister told War College students to “learn, enrich your knowledge, and believe in yourselves. Knowledge really is power and never accept anything less than success, stay decisive in the realisation of your goals and persevere until the very end.”
The US military representative to Croatia, Colonel Robert Mathers, congratulated Krsticevic.
“I had the opportunity to work with Minister Krsticevic on many issues, including the modernisation of the Croatian military, where the US can definitely help Croatia. The US sees an important strategic partner in Croatia, and vice versa, and cooperation with Krsticevic was always to mutual satisfaction and interest,” Mathers said.
“In order for someone to become a candidate for induction into the International Fellows Hall of Fame of the US Army War College, that person must, among other things, stand out through his contribution in the service to his country and to promote cooperation with the United States of America, which is especially true in the work of Minister Krsticevic,” Mathers said.
US Army War College, founded in 1901, is the highest educational institution of the US Army, the largest branch of the US Armed Forces. The school was attended by the American commanders and officials such as Dwight D. Eisenhower, George S. Patton and Omar Bradley, as well as all the highest-ranking officers in the current US Army structure. Around 80 international students attend the school as well, coming from the United States’ close partners and allies from all continents.
The Hall of Fame was founded to give visible and prestigious recognition to the best international students. The induction process consists of nomination, the approval procedure, and the official ceremony honouring the former student in the War College.
This recognition was given to 66 War College international fellows, including the current president of Egypt, Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, the former Australian Defence Minister, Duncan E. Lewis, and the former Chairman of the NATO Military Committee, Danish General Knud Bartels.
