Promotion in rank will be considered mainly for the soldiers who were involved in international missions and had good results, stated the Minister of National Defence, Teodor Atanasiu, in front of the soldiers of the 151st Infantry Battalion Lupii Negri (Black Wolves), whom he visited today together with the Chief of the General Staff, General Dr. Eugen Badalan, in Kandahar, Afghanistan. Upon your return in the country you could be among the first to be promoted in rank, added Atanasiu.

Minister Atanasiu and General Badalan visited the camp of the black wolves, had lunch with the soldiers and answered their questions. General Badalan told the soldiers that, according to the draft law on the status of the contract enlisted military personnel, the young men who chose a military career and participated in international missions, could be given the opportunity to equal their stage in the theaters of operations with the specialty training in a military school. This way, the deployed military personnel could be assimilated into the NCO or WO Corps, on condition that they are high school graduates.

The defence minister added that this draft law is part of a legislative package that includes other draft laws on professional reconversion and wage system of civil and military personnel. Atanasiu also mentioned that solutions are sought for the contract enlisted personnel that have to leave the system at the age of 36, such as signing employment contracts with other state institutions.

During his visit in Kandahar, minister Atanasiu had meetings with Governor Assadullah of the Kandahar Province and with Lieutenant Colonel Bertrand Ges, commander Task Force Gun Devil, that includes the Romanian battalion as well.

The MoD delegation visiting the theaters of operations includes also Ioan Ion, State Secretary and Chief of the Department for Armament, in the Ministry of National Defence and Mihai Stanisoara, Chief of the Defence, Public Order and National Security Committee in the Chamber of Deputies, generals and officers from the defence ministry.

MoND Press Office