U.S. Army Cadets of Serbian Origin to Newsmax Balkans: "Being Serbian Matters to Me – We Were Surprised by the Warmth"

Speaking to Newsmax Balkans, they expressed pride in their heritage.

They shared their experiences from the international exercise and their encounters with the land of their ancestors.

Wearing West Point uniforms but full of curiosity about the country they’re visiting, Alexander Jovanovic and Phillip Guse – cadets at the U.S. Military Academy – took part in a month-long military exchange with the Serbian Ministry of Defense and Armed Forces.

Foto: Milena Đorđević

During their stay, they had the opportunity to get to know the Serbian military, culture, and everyday life.

"My father is from Arandjelovac, and growing up I was always proud of my Serbian heritage. The opportunity to return here to Belgrade for work was an incredible one. But yes, being Serbian is very important to me. I think I inherited some cultural aspects, and I want to ensure I carry them with me through my career and life", Jovanovic told Newsmax Balkans.

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Although born and raised in the United States, both Alexander and Phillip Guse share a common background – Serbian families. During the exchange, they worked alongside members of the Serbian Armed Forces, participated in tactical training, and took part in simulations of joint peacekeeping operations. During the “Platinum Wolf” military exercise, they collaborated with Serbian troops.

"I believe there's inherent value in the experience itself – witnessing the joint exercise and gaining a sense of what it takes to coordinate people from different countries, bring them together, and organize a common mission. They have only a few weeks to get to know each other, and I think that fosters even deeper bonds", Guse said.

They noted that they weren’t surprised by the professionalism and discipline of the Serbian military – but were pleasantly surprised by the warmth and openness.

Both cadets plan to pursue officer careers in the U.S. Army, and they view their time in Serbia as an important part of their education.

They acknowledged differences between the two militaries, but said that exchanges like this help build mutual understanding and transfer of knowledge.

In the coming days, the cadets will return to the United States and resume their studies at West Point—but their experience in Serbia will remain a meaningful part of their future military careers.
 

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