30th Anniversary Celebrations: Secretary General of MOD Service Office Peter Kozák thanks leaders and staff of Military Social Welfare Office for their applaudable work

A special birthday celebration marking 30 years of the establishment of the Military Social Welfare Services Office (VÚSZ) took place at the Slovak Radio Building in Bratislava yesterday evening (15 November 2022), in the presence of serving and former staff of the Office who were joined for celebrations by Secretary General of the MOD Service Office Peter Kozák. The Office, a long-time stable MOD element, has existed since the foundation of an independent Slovakia.

In his keynote speech, Secretary General Kozák thanked the directors and staff of the Office, past and present, and friends of this MOD-funded organisation for their applaudable work and keen interest in the military profession, saying: “Everyday work of the staff consists not only in official admin work – enquiries, requests and claims, but it also involves answering phone calls, often from lonely people, mostly ex-service personnel who need to talk to another person who will show understanding of what they are experiencing within their frame of reference. Even this comes as part and parcel of their working life. For all their work over the past three decades, humanity, empathy and willingness to help those who need it, I want to say a sincere Thank You and express my respect for them.”

The mission of the Military Social Welfare Services Office (VÚSZ) is to ensure that all service and ex-service personnel, including members of the Reserves and retired personnel, can benefit from a range of welfare support available to them. As a professional welfare provider in Defence, the Office administers welfare programmes for members of the Slovak Armed Forces, including the Armed Forces Compensation Scheme (AFCS) for illness, disease and injury, Armed Forces Pension Scheme (AFPS), personal and community support, as well as offering rest & recreational stays and spa treatment packages.