The Office of the Slovak President informed the TASR agency on Tuesday that in the second phase of training, Pellegrini and other members of the National Defense Forces will expand their skills and knowledge, which they acquired in basic training and subsequent advanced training for operational and emergency reserves. “The president graduated directly from the 91st Engineer Regiment in Sered after enlisting in the operational reserves,” the presidential office said.
In the second phase of training, members of the National Defense Forces are to deepen their acquired tactical and shooting skills, medical training and other professional disciplines under the guidance of instructors from the ranks of the Armed Forces of the Slovak Republic, including the final exercise, the so-called survival.
Pellegrini completed the first phase of training in July 2025, also in the Turecký vrch training area. “From the beginning, the President has supported the project of the National Defense Forces and the voluntary participation of the citizens of the Slovak Republic in the defense and security of the state,” the presidential office added.
The president’s participation in last year’s training drew criticism when, for example, the deputy speaker of the Slovak parliament and the leader of the Slovak National Party, Andrej Danko, called on Pellegrini to stop “fooling around” and return to the Presidential Palace to his duties.
