488 Latvian citizens volunteered for the first draft of the VAD, of which 13 individuals changed their choice in the application process and decided to apply for the selection of the National Armed Forces' professional service. Some of the applicants were found to be unfit for service due to age or legal procedures, part changed their views on serving for personal reasons, while another part was declared unfit for service after the performance of the health check.
The soldiers of the first draft of the VAD will serve at the National Armed Forces' Land Force Mechanised Infantry Brigade at the Ādaži base.
An adaptation period is planned for young soldiers in the first two weeks of the VAD. They will learn the Rules of Procedure of the National Armed Forces, learn the ranks, and receive individual equipment and weapons. An active course of basic military training will start after the adaptation period. The training will be content-identical to those acquired by professional soldiers, but the training period will be shorter because the elements of team training will be learned later.
Until July 15, the Ministry of Defense invites Latvian citizens aged 18 to 27 to apply on a voluntary basis to the second draft of the State Defense Service, which will start service in January 2024. One can apply on the recruitment platform klustikaravirs.lv. If 120 Latvian citizens do not volunteer for the 11-month service in the National Armed Forces within this period, the missing number will be filled in on a random selection principle.
