The Slovak Defence Ministry has launched a process for selecting active reserves who should be ready to act next to professional servicemen in case of necessity. The first 50 people are to be chosen from among current inactive reservists, Defence Minister Peter Gajdoš (a Slovak National Party/SNS) and Chief of General Staff of the Armed Forces Milan Maxim announced last week. The project is being carried out in line with an amendment to the Conscription Act, which has been in force since the beginning of 2016. Gajdoš said that he'd like to see at least 257 sappers, chemicals experts and gunners in the active reserves by the end of his term in office in 2020. These are the professions currently most lacking in the Slovak military. "It won't be colonels and generals, but the most active elements - from privates to NCOs," said Gajdoš.
In contrast to the current 31 people undergoing voluntary military preparation in Martin (Žilina region), only those who in the past have undergone military service under compulsory conscription and former professional servicemen will be able to sign up for the active reserves. Gajdoš estimates that mainly people from the latter group will apply. The selected soldiers will then be given contracts for between two-five years, entitling them to receive weapons, other equipment and annual pay of €600, apart from payments for days spent on exercises.
