Slovakia starts to train military volunteers

Military training of the first volunteers began at the Training Battalion base in Martin in northern Slovakia on Wednesday.

The training will last until Sept. 30, confirmed Slovak Defence Ministry spokesperson Danka Capakova.

Under a pilot project, 37 volunteers, including 13 women, will undergo basic military training followed by professional training.

"This a pilot project and it should be given a chance. Anyway, we want voluntary military training be one of the sources of active military reserves in the future," stressed Slovak Defence Minister Peter Gajdos.

"When the first volunteers have been trained, we'll set the future procedure and adopt measures to make this form of military service more attractive for youth," said Gajdos.

In the first nine weeks the recruits will gain basic knowledge and skills in tactics, the use of small arms and orientation in terrain.

During the three weeks of professional training they'll gain skills in one of four military professions, namely infantry soldier, engineer, decontaminator and signals operator.

"In addition to gaining basic fighting skills, voluntary military training also contributes to forming moral qualities such as self-discipline, teamwork and better stress management," added Chief of Staff of the Slovak Armed Forces General Milan Maxim. Endit