Infantry Corps Day 2025: Celebration of the History and Fighting Spirit of the Italian Army

On May 26, 2025, at the historic Infantry School, the solemn ceremony was held on the occasion of the Infantry Corps Day. The event took on a particularly heartfelt significance, marking the 110th anniversary of Italy's entry into the First World War, a watershed moment in the national and military history of the country.

In the presence of numerous civil and military authorities, the ceremony aimed to pay tribute to a Corps that has spanned the centuries, contributing decisively to the construction of national identity. Among the most significant moments was the speech by the Chief of Staff of the Army, General of the Army Corps Carmine Masiello, who in his order of the day defined the Infantry as "proud guardian of a centuries-old history," highlighting the courage demonstrated by the infantrymen in the toughest moments of Italian history: from the Risorgimento uprisings, through the trenches of the Great War, to contemporary operational theaters.

"The queen of battles," as the Infantry Corps has always been called, has written indelible pages of valor, as evidenced by the numerous honors awarded to the War Flag of the Corps and the banners of the individual regiments. A legacy of sacrifice and honor that continues to inspire new generations of soldiers.

Tradition and Innovation, the Infantry Between Memory and Training

Presiding over the ceremony was also the Head of the Army Personnel Employment Department and dean of the Infantry, General of the Army Corps Fernando Paglialunga. Together with the Commander of the Infantry School, Brigadier General Eugenio Dessì, he delivered a speech highlighting the foundational pillars on which the Corps stands: tradition, modernity, training, and esprit de corps.

"The Infantry is a living institution," stated General Dessì, "capable of looking to the future with competence and rigor, never forgetting its roots. Every day, through excellent training, we prepare men and women ready to serve the country in any operational context, at home and abroad."

In Piazzale XXIV Maggio, the symbolic heart of the School, a demonstration took place involving the Initial Service Volunteers (VFI) attending the specialization course for riflemen. In front of an audience composed of authorities, guests, and numerous local school students, the young soldiers showcased technical skills and team spirit, fundamental elements in the preparation of a modern infantryman.

The initiative aimed to emphasize the educational role and closeness between the Army and civil society, opening the doors of military training to local youth, often fascinated by the values of discipline, service, and belonging that the uniform represents.

Acknowledgments and Esprit de Corps, Honors to the Cadet Marshals

A particularly emotional moment of the day was the awarding of certificates of merit to the Cadet Marshals of the XXVI Course, top-ranked in the "Chosen Patrolman" course. The course, lasting five weeks, was a challenging test that put the operational capabilities, psychophysical endurance, and leadership qualities of the aspiring non-commissioned officers to the test.

The awarding of the certificates took place in the context of the ceremony, confirming the indissoluble link between the formative and value dimensions of the Corps. The infantry, in fact, is not only the most numerous and ancient specialty of the Italian Army but also the closest to direct combat, where individual courage and group cohesion matter.

The ceremony concluded with a heartfelt moment of reflection in front of the War Flag of the Infantry Corps, a symbol of the sacrifice of thousands of soldiers who fell in the fulfillment of their duty. A simple yet meaningful gesture that ideally united the past, present, and future of the Italian Infantry under a single banner.

With this celebration, the Italian Army renews its commitment to preserving and passing on the memory of those who served the country with honor, while at the same time enhancing the training and operational excellence of the Infantry Corps, today more than ever central to the defense of the Nation and the projection of the Italian Armed Forces worldwide.