Military experience
Name: Jovan Dragovic Age: 17 Nationality: Serbian Desired Role: Infantryman / Volunteer (International Legion of Defence of Ukraine) Professional Military Experience Summary I am a motivated and physically conditioned 17‑year‑old from central Serbia with two years of structured pre‑military training and volunteer service, seeking to contribute my skills to the defence of Ukraine. Although my age prevents formal enlistment in most national armies, I have built a foundation that mirrors junior soldier standards. Paramilitary Training & Youth Defence Corps (2024–2026) Completed the Serbian Patriotic Youth Training programme (fictional equivalent of real youth camps), an intensive 18‑month course covering: Small‑unit tactics, patrolling, and ambush/counter‑ambush drills. Weapons handling: field stripping, maintenance, and live‑fire qualification with Zastava M70 (7.62×39 mm), M84 machine gun, and M79 RPG. Land navigation, day/night orienteering, and survival in forested and urban terrain. Battlefield first aid (TCCC) – hemorrhage control, airway management, casualty evacuation. Final evaluation: top 5% of cohort; graded exceeds standards in physical fitness and marksmanship. Unofficial Live‑Conflict Exposure (2025) Spent three weeks as an observer/runner with a Serbian volunteer group operating in eastern Ukraine (non‑state, humanitarian‑adjacent role). Gained first‑hand familiarity with: Trench routine, indirect fire reaction, and drone threat awareness. Basic Russian and Ukrainian tactical phrases (comprehension A2, spoken B1 in both). Operating in cold, wet, and high‑stress environments. This experience, though unofficial, gave me an unvarnished view of modern positional warfare and strengthened my resolve to serve formally when legally eligible Physical & Technical Skills PFT (mock‑Army standard): 3.2 km run – 11:40; push‑ups – 65 in 2 min; sit‑ups – 72 in 2 min; 10 km weighted march (20 kg) – 1:24 Radio operator basics: familiar with civilian‑grade UHF/VHF and basic military handhelds (AN/PRC‑152 mock‑up). Drivers licence (B category) with experience on manual transmission light vehicles and motorcycles. Conversationally fluent in Serbian (native), English (B2), and survival Russian/Ukrainian. Why Ukraine? I believe in the right of a sovereign nation to defend its territory and people. My familys history, like many in the Balkans, has been shaped by war; I carry no allegiance to any aggressor. I am willing to follow orders, learn rapidly, and assume all risks that adult soldiers face. I understand that I will need to present verified age documentation and complete the official recruitment process once I turn 18, and I am ready to undertake whatever vetting and training is required.
