Luxembourg Army Swears in 42 New Soldiers

On Friday 24 April 2026, the Luxembourg Army held the 208th solemn oath-taking ceremony for recruits at Walferdange Castle.

The event was held in the presence of Yuriko Backes, Luxembourg’s Minister of Defence, Andris Sprūds, Minister of Defence of Latvia, General Steve Thull, Chief of Staff of the Luxembourg Army, Colonel Alain Schoeben, Commander of the Forces, and members of the Army.

A total of 42 recruits took the oath after completing their four-month basic training. They pledged obedience to the Constitution, the laws of the state and military regulations, as well as loyalty to the Grand Duke and the flag, marking the end of their training and the beginning of their military service.

According to the Army, the next step for the soldiers will be to continue their training through specialised advanced instruction, preparing them for deployment within various units, with the aim of building robust, more operational and available forces. Among the recruits are also two elite athletes who will now join the Army’s elite sports section, footballer Joana Lorenco Magalhaes and table tennis player Loris Stephany.

In keeping with tradition, the ceremony awarded the fourragère to the recruits, marking their transition into full soldiers. The army also recognised four recruits for their outstanding performance during basic training: Private Reiter (first place), Stephany (second place), Private Di Rienzo (third place), Private Peixinho Marques (first in shooting) and Private Sánchez (first in sports).

The authorities highlighted that the Grand Duke grants the medal of recognition for service abroad by decree, following a proposal from the Minister Backes, to military personnel and other Luxembourg or foreign nationals who take part in military missions. During the ceremony, 35 Luxembourg soldiers and three German soldiers received medals.

“At a time marked by great power politics and violations of international law, we need credible defence capabilities. We need women and men ready to defend our values and our territory. Your commitment deserves our full respect,” said Minister Backes in her address to the armed forces.

The authorities said that a particularly solemn moment of the ceremony was marked by the handover of the role of Forces Sergeant Major from Warrant Officer Marc Meyers to Warrant Officer Jérôme Sinnes. This act reflects “the continuity of military traditions and highlights the commitment, professionalism and strong sense of duty of Army personnel”.

The ceremony also marked the official retirement of Warrant Officer Marc Meyers after 40 years of service in the Luxembourg Army. On this occasion, the attending authorities paid tribute to his career and his contribution to national defence.