After national military service was reintroduced this year, being a volunteer rather than a conscript comes with a significant financial advantage, namely monthly compensation of 600 euros, twice the compensation of conscripted soldiers, who will receive only 300 euros per month. In addition, upon completion of a year's service, an additional 1,100 euros will be paid.
Potentially even more of an incentive is the fact that those who have volunteered and completed national military service will have the opportunity to obtain free college-level professional higher education or bachelor's-degree level higher education at a state college or university, if they meet the university and study program admission rules.
It has already been reported that 480 national defense servicemen will be admitted to the 11-month service of the July 2024 call-up in the National Armed Forces, who will perform their service in the Mechanized Infantry Brigade of the Ground Forces at the Ādaži military base.
If the required number of volunteer soldiers for the 11-month service of the national defense service in the National Armed Forces is not reached, the missing number will be provided by random selection, which is planned for January 23, 2024.
488 Latvian citizens volunteered for the first conscription of the State Defense Service, and 254 young people started the service on July 1. Only 224 volunteered for the second conscription, which will begin in January 2024, though the Ministry of Defense decided not to carry out mandatory conscription at random.
From January 1, 2024, the service has been designated as mandatory. Compulsory conscription will give priority to men aged 18 to 19.
Additional questions about national service can be addressed by sending an e-mail to [email protected] or by calling the free information number 1827.
