Slovak Armed Forces have new generals, Slovakia's first astronaut receives his first general's star

During today's promotion ceremony at the Grassalkovich Palace in Bratislava, SVK President and Commander-in-Chief of the Slovak Armed Forces Zuzana Čaputová has handed over the certificates of promotion to three active duty servicemen. Consistent with the long-term armed forces development plan, Col Alexander Kollárik and Col Slavomír Verčimák have been promoted to the most junior general officer rank of Brigadier, and Maj Gen Vladimír Šimko has been promoted to Lieutenant General. Also in attendance at the promotion ceremony were Defence Minister Jaroslav Naď and Chief of Defence Gen Daniel Zmeko.

Defence Minister Jaroslav Naď said: “All of the three generals have demonstrated their abilities, qualities and determination that are worthy of career progression and support, which is why I recommended them to the SVK Government for promotion. I am delighted that we have Armed Forces leaders for whom service to the country is a mission rather than just a regular job. I wish them the best of success in their new roles.”

Among those who took over their first general's star was Slovakia's first astronaut Col (Rtd) Ivan Bella. After his long record of service in the SVK military, his promotion to Brigadier (Rtd) comes as a moral recognition for displaying the highest levels of professionalism during his active duty service and for representing the SVK Ministry of Defence and Slovakia during the Štefánik Space Mission. “Ivan Bella had spent most of his life in uniform and he is unequivocally among the personalities to have left behind a footprint of his ambitions and superb work in the Slovak Armed Forces,” emphasised Minister Naď.

As CHOD Gen Daniel Zmeko noted, the promotion of the senior officers is fully in line with the needs of the Slovak Armed Forces. “The officers recommended for promotion have met all the criteria and their record of service and areas of expertise, combined with their moral credit, guarantee that they will perform assigned tasks to the highest standards. It also gives me great pleasure to see Col (Rtd) Bella promoted to Brigadier. Having made a contribution impossible to be overlooked in the history of our Armed Forces and country, he has become one of the milestones of our traditions,” said Gen Zmeko.

Brig Kollárik, Brig Verčimák, and Lt Gen Šimko were originally posted to fill senior command and staff appointments at more senior ranks than they held. Since taking up their appointments, they have, until today's promotion, served in a lower rank without any changes to the organisation table. Currently, there are 16 senior command and staff appointments for generals (ranked from OF-6 to OF-9) in the Slovak Armed Forces and in the Ministry of Defence.