“I chose to be a soldier”: the oath of the new Volunteers of the Italian Army (Video)

In the emotion-laden silence of the parade ground, the firm voice of the young Initial Service Volunteers of the Italian Army rises. A voice that is not just words, but a promise. A promise of loyalty, sacrifice, and love for the Homeland.

In front of the Tricolor waving high in the sky, each soldier pronounces their oath:
“I chose to be a soldier.”
A conscious, profound choice that opens to a life of commitment, sacrifices, discipline, and dedication. A life that does not promise riches but gives what truly matters: the gratitude of those who have been helped, the respect of fellow soldiers, the honor of serving Italy.

Being a soldier means accepting fatigue, facing distance from loved ones, overcoming difficulties with courage and determination. It means putting duty before rights, the common good before personal interest. Every day, those who wear this uniform renew their choice: to serve the Nation with honor.

In the oath, a sacred pact is realized — between the soldier and the Homeland, between the individual and the Institution, between today and History.
The values that guide the Army — honor, courage, discipline, loyalty — are the moral compass that guides every step. They are not just words: they are the invisible force that unites soldiers, the common heartbeat that makes hearts vibrate in front of the Tricolor.

Because a soldier is not measured by the ranks on their shoulders, but by the values they hold in their heart.
And in this heart resides the certainty of never abandoning their fellow citizens, the strength to stay united in the toughest trials, the will to serve with sacrifice and humility.

“I chose to be a soldier, not because I love war, but because I love the Homeland.”
This is the phrase that sums up the spirit of our young people. Defending Italy, everywhere and always, means honoring the memory of those who, for the same ideals, gave their lives. Their example lights the path for new generations of soldiers, who today take up the baton with pride and responsibility.

The soldier is “we”, not “I”. It is the strength of unity, the power of brotherhood. In every gesture, in every step, one feels the weight — and the dignity — of a shared responsibility.
Wearing the uniform means belonging to a family: the family of the Italian Army, a symbol of courage, service, and dedication.

Today, in front of the Nation, these young people pronounce the words that will forever mark their lives:
“I swear to be faithful to the Italian Republic.”

An oath that is not just a formal act, but a pact of the soul.
A commitment that will accompany them everywhere, in the silence of missions, in the heart of emergencies, in the challenges of tomorrow.

With their oath, the new Volunteers of the Army strengthen the foundations of the defense of our Nation: a defense that arises from values, from honor, from love for the Homeland.

Because those who choose to be a soldier choose to serve.
And serving Italy is the highest honor one can have.