Big celebration in St. Veit: 300 recruits are sworn in for duty!

Big celebration in St. Veit: 300 recruits are sworn in for duty!

On Friday, June 13, 2025, the "Day of Milit" takes place in the racetrack of the municipality of St. Veit an der Glan. This significant event celebrates the solemn engagement of almost 300 recruits from Carinthia, which will take their loyalty to the Republic of Austria and democracy. The act is part of the celebrations for the 70th anniversary of the Austrian Army, which arose in 1955 after the restoration of independence. The event begins at 7:00 p.m. and is framed by the "Great Austrian Zapfenstreich", played by Carinthia military music. Even when the weather is not optimal, the organizers, the Military Command Carinthia in cooperation with the municipality of St. Veit/Glan and the Spittal high mountain hunters, are ready to carry out the event.

Overall, the recruits come from different associations, including the Jägerbattalon 26 from the Turkish barracks in Spittal/Drau, the pioneer battalion 1 from the pipe barracks in Villach, as well as other units from Klagenfurt. The location presence and the joint use of recruits, professional soldiers and members of the militia are intended to set a strong sign of the willingness to defend the Austrian army. As part of the event, information and performance shows will also be offered from 2:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. before the formal log in at 7:00 p.m. starts and ends at 9:00 p.m.

historical context

The opening of the anniversary year of the Austrian Armed Forces is accompanied by further important events. On May 15, 2025, around 270 soldiers from the Guard and the Vienna Military Command also took their loyalty. This event took place as part of the 70th anniversary of the signing of the state contract to restore an independent and democratic Austria. Representatives from politics and the military, including Defense Minister Klaudia Tanner and Brigadier Kurt Wagner, paid tribute to the importance of the state contract, which was signed on May 15, 1955 and returned full sovereignty.

These solemn acts reflect the role of the Federal Army in the upright preservation of national sovereignty and democracy. The completion of the basic training of the recruits, coupled with the respective solemn framework by military music, contributes to strengthening the values and engagement that are firmly anchored in the second republic. The combination of tradition and new beginning, symbolized by the various events, illustrates the continuous endeavor of the Federal Army to provide its service to the people and the security of the country.

For more information about the history and the current development of the Austrian Armed Forces, please visit the official side of the Federal Army: Bundesheer-History .