04.01.2024.
Minister Vučević: Military service is beneficial for entire country and everyone who will serve homeland
An official initiative has been launched to restore mandatory military service, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence Miloš Vučević said today, which, according to him, is a topic that is yet to be discussed. It is important, he said, that after 13 years, Serbia is again considering whether to reactivate conscription, which will last shorter than before.
- In the days, weeks and months ahead, we will get an answer about when the Serbian Armed Forces and the Ministry of Defence, if there is such political support and political decision, should prepare for implementation. We also need a certain amount of time for infrastructure projects to be launched, for barracks to be prepared, for the recruitment centres to be fully operational - said Minister Vučević. The Serbian Armed Forces General Staff and the Ministry of Defence, he added, have submitted their proposal to the President of the Republic and the Supreme Commander of the Serbian Armed Forces, as well as to the Government and the National Assembly.According to Minister Vučević, in the meantime, 13 generations have left the Serbian Armed Forces’ reserve, and due to the fact that military service is not mandatory, we have a lower number of service personnel.
- Being aware of all the circumstances of modern life, if this initiative is endorsed, a shorter service period of up to four months will be proposed. During that time we could get a trained soldier and certainly a safer and more secure country. Of course, professional troops that are responsible for the armed forces’ principal activities remain, so we are not preparing for any wars or conflicts. We believe that this is beneficial for the entire country, for the entire society and for everyone who will perform military service in the future, because they will certainly feel better and will be a source of pride for their homeland and families, and I am looking forward to discussing this topic, said the Minister of Defence. The Serbian Armed Forces and the Ministry of Defence, he added, will be ready to admit the first recruits in a short period of time, if such a decision were to be made.
The Ministry of Defence and the Serbian Armed Forces keep track of everything that characterizes foreign armed forces and modern weapons and military equipment, Minister Vučević emphasized. According to him, more modern training methods allow recruits to be trained in a shorter period of time, to be able to perform military duties and handle modern weapons and military equipment.
- Our proposal is for even those who complete basic training to undergo periodic training, same as members of the reserve, in order to maintain their skills and to familiarize themselves with modern weapons and military equipment - emphasized the Minister of Defence.
He gave examples of other countries in the world where the restoration of military service is discussed, as well as countries where military service is mandatory.
- To stress once again, a stronger military means a stronger and safer peace. Exactly the opposite to the claims of those who are trying to create confusion. A stronger military, strong Serbian Armed Forces are the guarantor of peace and freedom in our country. They are the guarantor of peace. And Serbia wins and develops in peace. This decision is certainly in the interest of the homeland - said Minister Vučević. Peace and freedom have no price, he said, and it is always better to invest in one’s own military than to cater to someone else's.
