On Friday 12 January 2018, the military centre in Diekirch was the location for the swearing-in of the 29th session of recruits to the Luxembourg army.

In the presence of Luxembourg's Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense, Etienne Schneider, a total of 43 volunteer soldiers - five of whom are Portuguese, one of German nationality and one of Italian nationality - were sworn in.

This ceremony marks for volunteers the completion of the four-month basic training. This phase aims to prepare the volunteer soldiers for their military training which continues for 36 months. Of a total of 65 recruits, 43 successfully completed basic training, which corresponds to a success rate of 66%.

On the occasion of this ceremony, honorary distinctions were awarded to Luxembourg members of the KFOR 50, EUTM MALI and Resolute Support contingents deployed in 2016 and 2017 in

Kosovo, Mali and Afghanistan.