MOD completes a series of defence games in Malacky

A series of defence competitions, through which the MOD wanted to raise young people's awareness of Homeland Defence as well as to increase their interest in Voluntary Military Training and Homeland Defence issues across Slovakia's 8 self-governing regions, were successfully brought to an end at Grammar School Malacky. As part of the series, 3rd and 4th grade students from 10 secondary schools tested their knowledge and skills of airsoft weapon marksmanship, topography, and medical preparation, and were assessed via a knowledge test and on a CBRN obstacle course. The best performance was achieved by the students of the privately-run Secondary Automobile Specialist School, J. Jonáš Dual Academy Bratislava.

Since the end of March 2017 “Defence Duels” have taken place in Malacky, Bardejov, Martin, Rimavská Sobota, Trenčín, Levice, Trnava and Trebišov. Made up of three members and two replacements, each competition involved 7 to 11 teams and attracted approx. 400 – 500 students. At the events, tents of Army regional recruitment teams were set up to brief students on how to join the SVK Armed Forces and Voluntary Military Training.

Students could see static displays of military equipment, close combat demonstrations, the SVK Armed Forces Guard of Honour show programme, and military policemen and Military Working Dogs (MWDs) in action. Through activities like this, the MOD seeks to prevent paramilitary organisations of extremist nature from strengthening their grip on young people and to provide young candidates with defence skills by legal means.