The Commander of the National Armed Forces (NBS), Kaspars Pudāns, will call on the defence sector to refine selection and recruitment procedures to ensure that the best and most motivated young people are chosen for the National Defence Service (VAD), Pudāns told journalists on Tuesday.
Speaking about personnel, Pudāns noted that the VAD system has now been established in Latvia for three years, and the process is progressing according to plan. This year, 859 soldiers have been admitted to the VAD. Some of them will complete their 11-month service already this week and become high-readiness reserve soldiers.
The NBS commander stressed that the VAD has proven itself as an essential tool for strengthening the Armed Forces’ combat capabilities, with personnel numbers in some units increasing by nearly one-third as a result.
At the same time, Pudāns reiterated that the defence sector must improve its selection and recruitment procedures to ensure that the best and most motivated young recruits are chosen.
The NBS has concluded that
young people can be trusted not only with simple tasks but also with various specialised roles.
The number of specialisations available will continue to expand in the future. Already today, VAD soldiers can train in artillery, become air-defence troops, or serve as drone operators.
Regarding the reserve, Pudāns pointed out that this summer, for the first time, the first graduates of the VAD were called up for mobilisation exercises, and the results have been encouraging.
Addressing the professional military service, Pudāns stated that the goal is to reach 8,000 soldiers — and this needs to happen much faster than currently outlined in the National Defence Concept. Recruitment results for the first ten months of this year are comparable to last year’s figures.
At present, 20% of those recruited into professional service are former VAD soldiers. Increasing the number of senior officers and instructors, however, will take time.
As for the National Guard, recruitment remains stable, with the focus continuing to be quality first, and quantity second.
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