Signing up for Active Reserves 2023

The Ministry of Defence has started to accept applications for the Active Reserves (AR) 2023. Above all else, AR soldiers undergo training to serve alongside the armed forces mainly in emergency situations in support of the Slovak Armed Forces' tasks in mitigating the effects of disasters.

Those eligible for joining the Active Reserves are ex-service personnel, reservists of compulsory military service, and those who served in the state's security forces (i.e. Police, Firefighting, Justice & Prison Guard personnel). Through the Army Recruitment Teams in person or by email, those interested can apply for the AR training programme no later than 30 Sept 2022. For more information on how to contact the Army Recruitment Teams and how to apply, go to the SVK Army's website at Aktívne zálohy.

In 2023, there are plans to train AR soldiers for the Defence Staff, Army Headquarters Trenčín, Headquarters 1 Mechanised Brigade Topoľčany, Headquarters 2 Mechanised Brigade Prešov, 5 Special Forces Regiment Žilina, CBRND Battalion Rožňava, Engineer Battalion Sereď, Training and Mobilisation Replenishment Base Martin and Military Police.

The Active Reserves (AR) programme offers a number of benefits. First and foremost, AR soldiers develop valuable soldiering skills. They are entitled to 600 euros per year as financial motivation, provided that they have been in the Active Reserves throughout the entire calendar year and have passed through a minimum of 75% of the regular training programme or deployment with the armed forces.

In addition to this, they are also entitled to a commensurate amount of rank-based military pay for the period as well as to a travel allowance to cover the cost of travel from the place of permanent residence to a designated location of training or deployment and vice versa. AR soldiers are provided with weapons and equipment, catering and accommodation free of charge. While on training, exercise or deployment with the Armed Forces, both the employees and the self-employed persons have their salaries, social payments and health insurance premiums refunded by the MOD.

Today, the MOD is working on a legislative proposal to allow the AR training programme to be open to all SVK citizens who meet the requirements set out by law, even to those without soldiering skills. The Conscription Amendment Bill, which is currently subject to interdepartmental consultations, will be forwarded to the Cabinet by Nov 2022 before passing through Parliament. The MOD expects the bill to take effect from early 2023.