Voluntary training in progress

94 candidates (73 men and 21 women) joined voluntary military training (VMT). They were greeted in a ceremony by Minister of Defence Peter Gajdoš and DCHOD Lt Gen Pavel Macko at the Training and Mobilisation Replenishment Base Martin. In addition, 217 soldier trainees entered basic military training (BMT). In his opening speech on the parade square, the Minister underscored that the VMT project is among the priorities of both the MOD and the Slovak National Party, of which he is a party nominee. The Minister said: “I am pleased to see there are more than twice as many candidates standing here today than last year during the pilot project. Yet still I think we need to seriously consider ways in which we can stimulate young people's interest in Homeland Defence. Because this time the motivational factors were really strong.” As part of the second edition of the VMT project, the more attractive VMT package attracted nearly 250 candidates, but only 108 met the demanding entry requirements. Alongside the VMT soldiers, soldier trainees, cadets of the Officers Course for College Graduates and cadets of General Milan Rastislav Štefánik Armed Forces Academy officially began with BMT too. Their training will run until 22 September 2017.