Presentation of the 2026 CalendArmy: “I Swear”

Today, in the heart of the Armed Forces Flag Memorial, the CalendArmy 2026 was presented, dedicated to the theme “I swear”. The event, moderated by Deputy Director of TG2, Maria Antonietta Spadorcia, saw the participation of Undersecretary of State for Defense, Sen. Isabella Rauti, Chief of General Staff of the Army, Lieutenant General Carmine Masiello, and numerous civilian, military, and religious authorities.

The chosen theme, “I swear!” ideally recalls the 80th anniversary of law no. 478 of 1946, which defined the oath formula for members of the Armed Forces. A powerful and always current gesture: a deep commitment that every soldier shares with the homeland, its history, and all those who have served Italy.

The CalendArmy 2026 tells the fundamental values of the Army – Homeland, discipline, honor, duty, worth, and loyalty – through a lively encounter between images and words. The illustrations, handmade, depict the ethical, historical, and spiritual dimension of being in the military. The texts have been written by students of the Army Training Institutes and offer the perspective on the meaning of the oath from the new generations, explained during the presentation by the Officer Cadet Domenico Pellegrino and by the Marshal Cadet Chiara Bibiani. A story that highlights the principles that guide the men and women who serve Italy with courage, responsibility, and passion.

The intervention of the Undersecretary of State for Defense, Sen. Isabella Rauti

The Undersecretary of State for Defense, in her speech, stated: “We must guard the value and ideal heritage to which the Calendar is inspired and transmit it to the young generations. Moral principles that represent us and guide our daily actions. Our task is to bring the inherited tradition into the digital world; awareness of our history and our past helps us face new challenges and hybrid threats that characterize this time.

As highlighted by the Minister of Defense On. Crosetto we live in times of hybrid war, a threat to national security to be tackled with the tools provided by new technologies especially in the Cyber domain. Our commitment to honor memory, the Homeland and the Tricolor, which we have sworn on, is renewed in the conscious challenge to post-modern threats.

The words of the Chief of General Staff of the Army, Lt. Gen. Carmine Masiello

As emphasized by the Chief of General Staff of the Army, Lieutenant General Carmine Masiello, during the presentation: “The values are not abstract concepts: they are the compass that guides every soldier and the strength that makes us respond ‘present’ when the Nation calls. Whoever chooses to serve in the Army makes a choice and a promise of love towards Italy, towards the Homeland, and is ready to defend it anywhere, always, at any cost.

The CalendArmy 2026

The interventions of Dr. Astori and General Jucci

Among the speakers was also Doctor Gianfranco Astori, the President’s advisor for information, who recalled how the Constitution is the foundation of every military’s actions and how the work of the Army is guided every day by values such as freedom, equality, justice, and human dignity. This was followed by Lieutenant General Roberto Jucci, former General Commander of the Carabinieri, who shared his direct experience by recalling his swearing-in, underlining the strength of those two words “I swear“, which then accompanied him throughout his career, and bearing witness to how past and future share the same deep roots.

The CalendArmy 2026 invites everyone to reflect on the meaning of the oath, the commitment of those who serve the Republic, and the role of values as beacons in complex times, among technological innovation, global crises, and new forms of conflict, through a tale of real emotions that speaks to everyone’s heart.

The purpose of the CalendArmy

As with previous editions, a portion of the proceeds from the sales of the CalendArmy will be donated to the National Assistance Work for the Orphans and Career Military of the Army (O.N.A.O.M.C.E.) that assists about 500 orphans of Officers, Non-Commissioned Officers, Non-Commissioned and Troop Military, providing annual subsidies for schooling and for particular economic-family needs.

The twenty-ninth edition of the Army calendar, licensed by Defence Services (owned by the Ministry of Defense) and made thanks to collaboration with institutional partners Leonardo S.p.A., IDV (Iveco Defence Vehicles), Rheinmetall, Beretta and Vittoria Assicurazioni, will be available for purchase at Giunti Editore’s sales points.

Source and photo credit @Office of the Chief of General Staff of the Army/Public Information and Communication Office – Sz. PI