On Wednesday, 111 young people from the first conscription of the National Defense Service (NDS) this year will begin their service, the Ministry of Defense reported to the LETA agency.
Of all the conscripts, 78 individuals (70%) applied voluntarily, while the others were called to service by random selection.
The young people will begin their service in two units of the National Armed Forces. This year, 61 individuals will start their service in the headquarters battalion, including one girl, and 50 individuals will serve in the Air Force in Lielvarde, including two girls.
The National Defense Service lasts for 11 months, during which young people acquire basic military skills, enhance their physical fitness, and gain knowledge in the field of national defense under the guidance of professional instructors. During the service, special attention is paid to discipline, teamwork, and the development of leadership skills.
In the headquarters battalion, National Defense Service personnel can specialize in areas such as communications, medicine, honor guard, weapons, or transport. In the Air Force, after completing basic training, they continue their service in the air defense division and are involved in daily support and supply tasks under the guidance of professional military personnel.
The Ministry of Defense urges citizens of Latvia aged 18 to 27 to voluntarily apply for the National Defense Service by January 14, which will begin in July of this year. The service will take place in six locations: in the mechanized infantry brigade of the land forces in Ādaži, military police in Ādaži, air defense division of the Air Force in Lielvarde, 25th combat support battalion of the National Guard in Alūksne, 36th combat support battalion of the National Guard in Luznava, and the 45th combat support battalion of the National Guard at the military base "Mežaine" in Skrunda.
