2024-07-20 03:33:33
As the LETA agency observed, a large group of relatives – mothers, fathers, brothers, sisters – had come to accompany the young people who arrived by private transport to the service. Even though the elders and the young people themselves were in an upbeat mood, followed by hearty wishes and hugs, some mothers and friends were not without tears. Some of the young people arrived by army bus and went to serve without saying goodbye to their relatives at the base gate.
After registration, young people were divided into units and went to their new places of residence. Before that, it was necessary to get rid of prohibited items – alcohol, intoxicating substances or items intended for self-defense. As observed by the LETA agency, there were actually none, and although it was not required, only a couple of electronic cigarettes and cigarette packs were thrown into the waste bin. For security, canines with dogs checked the belongings of the recruits already outside the gate of the base.
Some of the young people were received by the 1st mechanized infantry battalion represented by Staff Sergeant Ilmārs Rešņas. Rešņa admitted to journalists that the mood is always positive when waiting for future SAD soldiers, as the first SAD recruit recently completed their service. The instructors are physically and mentally prepared to give the best knowledge to the young people.
Although for the first time in the July conscription there are young people who were chosen in the compulsory conscription on a random basis, this will not hinder the work of the unit represented by Rešņa. There is no difference between volunteers and conscripts, as young people will have to work according to the same rules and guidelines. “That’s why it’s important for us to put these people in the right direction and frame, and then there shouldn’t be any challenges,” said Rešna.
On the first day, young people will be placed in their units, they will be introduced to the rules of internal order and security. After that, equipment will be gradually received and training will begin.
At the same time, he did not deny that these first two weeks are challenging enough, especially for young people who have just come from “father’s house” and have not seen discipline, but after the second week they are getting used to it and understand that they are in the service. Young people have to get up at 6 a.m., then the morning rush, breakfast and training follow. In the barracks, there will be up to 12 soldiers in one room, which means that you have to be able to get along with your service members. One elder will be assigned to each room, and the instructors say they “have an inkling that these people will have leadership qualities.”
According to the laws and regulations, the army has different types of control and motivation for young people who have difficulties with following the rules and regulations. If necessary, such young people are given special attention.
In the unit represented by Rešna, young people will undergo a two-month basic training course, followed by specialist training, where they learn specific weapon systems or techniques.
When asked whether any changes that need to be implemented in the SAD are already being seen, the head of the training section of the Ground Forces Mechanized Infantry Brigade, Major Ieva Jordane-Liflande, expressed the opinion to journalists that currently, radical changes are not necessary in the course of the service, although certain nuances could be revised. “Now everything is working, and young people are actually sometimes even surprised at how interesting and not so complicated it all is,” said Jordane-Lipmane.
Although the instructors and officers are not educators in the classical sense, they have taken courses in pedagogy and psychology, which allow them to work more effectively with young people. At the same time, there are commanders, a psychologist service and chaplains who can help young people who have any sorrow or difficulties.
Jordane-Lipmane also assured that the recruits will not be specially marked or separated during the SAD July recruitment, because the training program is the same for everyone. “It will not be established in any way that here you are a volunteer and you are a conscript. The more united we are, the easier it is to complete the task. It does not matter whether you are a volunteer or a conscript,” emphasized Jordane-Liflande.
A total of 450 Latvian citizens had to come to Ādaži today, of which 383 had volunteered, including nine young women, as well as 67 young men who were randomly selected for service. From today’s enlistment, the service of six young people was canceled, but nine did not come today, thus 435 young people started their service today.
Soldiers of the July 2024 enlistment of the National Defense Service will serve in the Mechanized Infantry Brigade of the Land Forces, and this is already the second enlistment that will be carried out at the military base in Ādaži.
With the arrival in Adazi on July 19, an 11-month training process for the July 2024 enlistment of the National Defense Service began.
An adaptation period is planned for the new soldiers in the first two weeks of the national defense service. During this, they will familiarize themselves with the regulations of the National Armed Forces, learn rank training, and also receive individual equipment and weapons. After the adaptation period, an active basic military training course will begin. During eleven months, young people will learn not only the basic knowledge and skills necessary for the performance of any national defense task, but also other skills useful in life.
The first enlistment in Ādaži started the service on July 1, 2023, and ended it on May 31, 2024.
Young people between the ages of 18 and 27 are invited to voluntarily apply to the national defense service by January 10, 2025, in order to start the 11-month training in July 2025 in Ādaži.
Voluntary soldiers of the National Defense Service will receive monthly compensation in the amount of 600 euros, as well as compensation in the amount of 1,100 euros after completing the service. In total, they are 7,700 euros, and the SAD soldiers are also provided with living in the barracks and a food ration.
2024-07-20 03:33:33