VMT soldiers transition into their first days of military training
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- Date: 06.07.2018
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Voluntary Military Training (VMT) soldiers have transitioned into their first days of military training. 87 civilian volunteers, of whom are 23 women, have been undertaking military training since Monday (2 July) at the Training and Mobilisation Replenishment Base Martin. Over the next 11 weeks they will develop basic military knowledge and skills. On completion of the training they will receive more than 1,100 euros as a reward. SVK Minister of Defence Peter Gajdoš and CHOD Lt Gen Daniel Zmeko came to Martin to show their support for them.
Speaking in front of the gathered VMT soldiers, Minister Gajdoš said: “I appreciate that these young men and women have decided to swap their summer holiday or vacation for ʽmilitary drillʼ, because they are interested in getting ready to defend their homeland. Needless to say, this is the only legal way of gaining basic military knowledge and skills without joining the Army." He noted that patriotism and a personal interest in the defence of Slovakia should be the main motivation factors for undertaking the VMT training.
In his statement, CHOD Lt Gen Daniel Zmeko spoke of the VMT scheme as being an important element in generating the reserves. “Thanks to this, it supports our primary goal – to deliver the defence of the Slovak Republic. At the same time, it is an excellent opportunity for these young people, who have not made the decision to join the Army yet, to try out the aspects of what it takes to be a soldier,” he said.
Base Commander Col Ľubomír Podhorec remarked that the trainees have been through the initial administrative in-processing and medical checks. They have been issued with military clothing and equipment, and have by now begun to carry out training tasks. “Of the 11-week training programme, 7 weeks are allotted for basic Phase 1 training and 4 weeks for trade-specific Phase 2 training. At the conclusion of the training they will attend the graduation ceremony and swear the SVK Army Oath of Allegiance,” he added.
Focused on physical fitness, drills, engineering, topographical, psychological, medical, tactical and marksmanship training, the VMT programme will run until 14 September 2018. The trainees will have acquired knowledge and skills as marksmen, engineers, decontaminators and signallers, and will be promoted to the rank of 2nd Degree Private. Civilian volunteers as VMT soldiers are a source for the generation of the reserves. If interested in active duty service, they can join the Army without having to undergo basic military training (BMT).
The SVK MOD supports the VMT scheme by providing free accommodation, catering, clothing and equipment, and reimbursing travel fares to and from the place of training.
Speaking in front of the gathered VMT soldiers, Minister Gajdoš said: “I appreciate that these young men and women have decided to swap their summer holiday or vacation for ʽmilitary drillʼ, because they are interested in getting ready to defend their homeland. Needless to say, this is the only legal way of gaining basic military knowledge and skills without joining the Army." He noted that patriotism and a personal interest in the defence of Slovakia should be the main motivation factors for undertaking the VMT training.
In his statement, CHOD Lt Gen Daniel Zmeko spoke of the VMT scheme as being an important element in generating the reserves. “Thanks to this, it supports our primary goal – to deliver the defence of the Slovak Republic. At the same time, it is an excellent opportunity for these young people, who have not made the decision to join the Army yet, to try out the aspects of what it takes to be a soldier,” he said.
Base Commander Col Ľubomír Podhorec remarked that the trainees have been through the initial administrative in-processing and medical checks. They have been issued with military clothing and equipment, and have by now begun to carry out training tasks. “Of the 11-week training programme, 7 weeks are allotted for basic Phase 1 training and 4 weeks for trade-specific Phase 2 training. At the conclusion of the training they will attend the graduation ceremony and swear the SVK Army Oath of Allegiance,” he added.
Focused on physical fitness, drills, engineering, topographical, psychological, medical, tactical and marksmanship training, the VMT programme will run until 14 September 2018. The trainees will have acquired knowledge and skills as marksmen, engineers, decontaminators and signallers, and will be promoted to the rank of 2nd Degree Private. Civilian volunteers as VMT soldiers are a source for the generation of the reserves. If interested in active duty service, they can join the Army without having to undergo basic military training (BMT).
The SVK MOD supports the VMT scheme by providing free accommodation, catering, clothing and equipment, and reimbursing travel fares to and from the place of training.
