As the Ministry of National Defense (KAM) proposes to waive the exemptions from the military service obligation currently applied to students, The Seimas opposing initiatives are maturing. Artūras Žukauskas, chairman of the Parliament's Education and Science Committee, believes that those studying in higher education institutions should not be called to serve. However, the politician suggests that all young people should be called up to serve after school, leaving students with the option of voluntary service.
"Young people would be drafted right after school. At the end of school, a graduate should know that he will be called up, he is called up, he serves for 9 months and then according to the Law on Science and Studies (MSĪ) he gets a certain benefit for admission to higher education. This will perhaps even encourage volunteering", A. Žukauskas commented on his idea to Elta.
According to him, in such a case, even before military service, a health check-up would be mandatory while still studying at school.
Arguing this proposal, A. Žukauskas emphasizes that the study process would not be disturbed in this way. However, he said, students could still choose to volunteer for alternative forms of service.
"During studies, there would be only voluntary service. What was now offered as a mandatory choice would simply be left on a voluntary basis," said the "libertarian".
The chairman of the Education and Science Committee assures that he has already discussed this idea with the Minister of National Defence, Deputy Minister and Chairman of the National Security and Defense Committee (NSGK) Lauryns Kasčiūnas, who, according to A. Žukauskas, did not raise any objections.
"There is no such agreement, but our committee will propose it." I discussed these proposals with the Minister of National Defense, the Deputy Minister, the Chairman of the NSGK, and they did not raise any major objections to me," he assured.
Rimantas Benetis, president of the Conference of Rectors of Lithuanian Universities (LURK), confirmed such echoes of the convocation reform. According to him, certain proposals were presented at the LURK meeting held last week. Although he did not want to comment on them in detail, he nevertheless emphasized that after listening to the presentation, he got the impression that students should not be drafted.
At that time, L. Kasčiūnas himself assures that although the idea sounds "interesting", it does not necessarily mean that students will not have to do service during their studies.
"I found it a positively interesting idea, but you need to look at the details and practical elements," said L. Kasčiūnas.
The Ministry does not change its position regarding the convocation of students
For their part, representatives of the Ministry of Education and Culture have not yet changed their official position on the inclusion of students in military service. The Ministry also emphasized that for national security, it is necessary to strengthen the armed forces and prepare for armed defense.
"In the draft law on conscription, it is proposed to abolish the exception of deferment of service for students and to enable them to perform service during their studies," Eltai explained his position to the Ministry of Education.
According to the ministry, high school students would have the following mandatory options: 3 years of service in Junior Officer Command Training - for example, for those who would like to become reserve officers - or 3 years of service in the National Defense Volunteer Force. This type of service in the volunteer forces of the National Defense lasts 15 weekends a year, 3 weekends in 45 years.
Last December Seimas after submission, approved the reform of mandatory initial military service prepared by the Ministry of National Defense (KAM), which aims to increase the number of conscripts and speed up the training of the active army reserve.
One of the fundamental changes is the possibility of shortening the service time. As before, conscripts would be called to serve for a period of 9 months. However, it is expected that, taking into account Lithuanian army needs, the period could be shortened to half a year, and young people who have acquired the relevant specialties could be invited to serve for 3 months.
The package of amendments to the conscription law also provides for the conscription of 18-21-year-olds - it is proposed to call 18-19-year-old boys to serve immediately after finishing school.
Unlike before, the new amendments to the Law on Military Conscription do not provide for the possibility of postponing the compulsory service - those enrolling in higher schools or colleges would also be called up. However, students could choose to serve in the Junior Officer Command Training or on weekends in the National Defense Volunteer Force. Students would have the opportunity to pause their studies and complete the usual 9-month mandatory initial military service.
Martyna Pikelytė (ELTA)
