It also has a full dress uniform that is based on the clothing of the Circassians. Despite its ceremonial nature, it can also participate in military drills to ensure it's combat readiness. The unit conducted a drill performance during the 2019 Republic Day parade for the first time. The Brass Band of the Ministry of Defense is the only military band in the armed forces. It was formed in 1996 and is currently led by Alexander Gabaraev. It's repritorire includes Ossetia, Russian and Soviet military tunes. In April 2016, the band began recruiting musicians and increating its instrumentation in a planned expansion of the band. It is currently attached to the motorized rifle battalion. The cadet corps was created on 28 April 2011 by resolution of the government of South Ossetia, on the initiative of the defense ministry. It is on par with the Suvorov Military Schools in Russia, Belarus and Transnistria. Graduates of the school are given an acceleration when joining the regular army and can even go on to enroll in military/civilian universities in Russia. In June 2014, director Arthur Tadtaev of the cadet corps announced the incorporation of pupils from the 8th grade to the 10th grade. The ministry has the authority to gove 4 military awards: