Illustrative stock photo (source: SME)
87 soldiers, including one woman have shown interest in participating in the pilot project for active reserves. The Defence Ministry’s staff office are now considering whether they meet the conditions set by the law, the SITA newswire reported.
Spokesperson for the ministry, Danka Capáková, could not specify how many of the applicants are army engineers or what rank they hold.
The applicants must now undergo a psychiatric examination which is planned to be held between November 14-16. At the same time they will sign an agreement which confirms them as part of the active army reserves, SITA wrote.
The pilot project was introduced as part of the amendment to the agreement on compulsory military service which came into force this January. This enables the use of the active army reserves even during peace time. The Defence Ministry wants to train 50 members of the active military reserves with an engineering qualification next year. The training is scheduled for May 15-26, 2017. The ministry plans to train 257 soldiers altogether by the end of the current tenure. It also plans to search for chemists and artillery specialists in following years, based on allocated finances.
Former soldiers that are part of the active army reserves will receive an additional contribution amounting to €600 if they attend at least 75 percent of the training. They also receive a portion of their rank salary as a compensation for travelling costs in case they are called to arms. Members of the army reserves will be responsible for the technology they will be entrusted with, SITA wrote.
