site.btaArmy Service Forges Pride, Senior Sargeant Georgiev Says

Joining the Bulgarian Armed Forces is the right choice that comes with many virtues, Senior Sargeant Viktor Georgiev told BTA’s Tsvetisiana Kostova on Tuesday.

Georgiev spoke on the occasion of the Day of Valour and Armed Forces Day, which will be marked with a water blessing ceremony for the battle flags and sacred banners, followed by a military parade without ground vehicles.

“I was born in the town of Sopot, near one of the largest mechanized brigades in the Bulgarian Army. I grew up surrounded by service members and have always felt a sense of respect and pride for the unit. I decided that I would one day enrol as a cadet and, after completing the five-year program, become an officer in the Bulgarian Army,” Georgiev said.

“The sense of order, discipline, unity, and teamwork is what motivates me most in my daily service,” Georgiev said. “The uniform and our shared appearance put everyone on equal ground. We are equal, even though the Army has a strict hierarchy and ranks—something that is deeply rooted in military life and, I believe, found nowhere else,” he added.

Georgiev said he will take part in the holiday parade for the second time this year. “It is exciting; there is some nervousness, but the pride—especially when the band begins to play and we see the appreciative looks from the crowd—overcomes any worries,” he said.

“During the five years of training that prepare a cadet for future officer duties, there are many challenges, but also a lot of emotions and benefits for young people,” Georgiev said.

“Our daily life at the military academy is strictly regulated. We follow many rules and requirements each day,” Georgiev said. “Our training covers both academic and military subjects. The academic part is similar to that at a regular university, except our courses focus on military topics. After that, we have practical classes where we learn to use different weapons and operate military equipment,” he explained.

Georgiev encouraged anyone unsure about joining the Army to take the step with confidence, saying that military training brings many challenges but also offers rewarding experiences.

“I have faced many challenges, beginning with my transition from civilian to cadet in the Bulgarian Army,” Georgiev said. “The lectures, classes, and exam periods—all of them are a real test. Still, the Army gives each service member the chance to prove themselves. I have even had the opportunity to travel abroad and observe how things are done internationally,” he added.