Military Service

Almost all of the countries of the world have their national armed forces of various scopes to protect and defend nations. Each country settles the size and character of its national armed forces. Likewise, each country suits to its needs the mode of conscription - the basic compulsory or the professional voluntary.

"Constitutional responsibility of all the citizens of the country to defend their motherland remains just like record of conscripts. We invite young citizens of Lithuania to join National Defence Volunteer Force or professional armed forces and to make a direct contribution to the security of our country," says Head of Military Enrolment Administration service under MoND Tomas Pilvinis.

Ministry of National Defence enhances patriotic and civilian education in cooperation with the Ministry of Education and Science, Lithuanian Riflemen's Union and by organising days of national defence for elder pupils in divisions of the Armed Forces to familiarise them with national armed forces and defence.

Modes of service:

Basic Military Training (BMT) is an opportunity for conscripts to acquire basic military training and pursue career in the Lithuanian Armed Forces.
On the basis of voluntary service BMT is manned by 18-35-year old conscripts who have not undergone the obligatory military service or have not acquired the basic military training in any other way.
BMT is organised at the Lithuanian Grand Duke Jonušas Radvila Training Regiment and lasts from 9 to 13 weeks. After 9 weeks of training conscripts are recognised to have completed the obligatory basic military service and are drawn into the mobilisation reserve. Conscripts who have successfully completed the 13-week course of BMT are recognised to have completed the obligatory basic military service and are given the opportunity to make a contract for professional military service.
During the training participants are given the status of conscripts of the obligatory basic military service, are fully state-provided (catering, accommodation, clothing, social and life insurance), receive monetary allowance for daily expenses.
Having completed BMT and having signed the professional war service contract servicemembers go from the Training Regiment to locations of permanent service in a combat unit where they undergo a three-month training period.

Professional military service (PMS)- all untried citizens of the Republic of Lithuania with basic education under 35 years of age may become members of professional military service. They are allowed to join Land, Air, or Naval Force. Upon becoming professional soldiers they acquire over 22 social guarantees. Contract made between a would-be soldiers and the State covers the period of four years. It may be renewed upon the soldiers wish.

National Defence Volunteer Force (NDVF) - two modes of service in NDVF are available: combatant volunteers may be persons from 18 to 42 years of age, non-combatant volunteers may be persons from 18 to 52.

During the course of service volunteers master a military profession, are sent to exercises and international missions. Volunteers annually spent the average of 20 days and nights on exercise.

Wage paid during service depends on the volunteer's military rank or on the average wage in the institution of employment. The contract is made for 3 to 5 years.