Armenia may cut period of mandatory military service
YEREVAN, August 30. /ARKA/. The Secretary of Armenia’s Security Council Armen Grigoryan said in an interview with Radio Azatutyun that the mandatory military service period may be cut by 20% from the current 24 months.
He said the plan to switch to a professional army may allow cutting the mandatory military service term.
‘We cannot yet speak about exact terms, but it is possible to reduce the period by 20%," he said.
In his opinion, this will increase the desire of citizens to serve in the army, since for some people, the length of service is an obstacle.
"In addition, we see that a professional army, reforms and opportunities of the 21st century can provide the knowledge and skills that the military personnel receive now during 2 years in a shorter period of time," he said.
Grigoryan also added that the number of three-month training camps for reservists was increased.
About 2,000 Armenian army reservists were drafted for three-month training camps on August 25. According to the Armenian Defense Ministry, all of them will enjoy all benefits of military personnel and will keep their civilian jobs by law, and will be paid for each month of training. It said that in the course of the training drafted reservists may also be involved in combat duty, if necessary. -0-
