Recruits of the autumn conscription in the Vitebsk region will be able to use alternative service instead of military service

The комплектация of the Armed Forces, which is the basis of the state's defense capability, depends on the coordinated and efficient work of military commissariats. Therefore, these bodies of local military administration must function like clockwork and respond to modern challenges. Military commissar of the region, Colonel Igor Martynov, told "Vitebskiye Vesti" about the structural changes in them and the attitude of young people to military service.

– Last year, some military commissariats in the Vitebsk region were reorganized, which made it possible to reduce the costs of maintaining buildings and office premises, reduce the volume of paperwork, the number of military personnel and support staff. This did not affect the level of combat and mobilization readiness, or the state of military registration. The transformations affected only those district units in whose territory a small number of conscripts and reservists are registered, and they became part of 6 combined military commissariats.

– Are there any problems during the conscription campaigns?

— In my opinion, it is incorrect to talk about any problems. But it is also wrong to claim that such a serious campaign, which involves a large number of citizens, government bodies and organizations, is going smoothly. There are a number of difficulties, negative factors and circumstances that affect the quality of the events held. For example, the deterioration of the health of young men living in the region. Only half of them are fit for military service. There are also conscripts who ignore the requirements of the legislation on the fulfillment of their constitutional duty. During the past conscription, there were more than 100 draft dodgers who will have to answer for their indiscipline – the prosecutor's office is dealing with them.

– And in general, is the prestige of military service high today?

— The prestige of the profession of defender of the Fatherland can be judged by the number of people wishing to enter educational institutions that train specialists for the army. In 2015, about 310 people applied to universities, and in

— already over 475. Unfortunately, not everyone managed to pass the professional selection, but the fact itself speaks volumes. It is also gratifying that girls are showing interest in officer service, with 57 applications received this summer. – From July 1, the Decree of the President "On Alternative Service" comes into force. What is your attitude to this innovation? — This is a necessary law that guarantees conscripts the exercise of their constitutional right to replace military service with alternative, socially useful activity, and testifies to the social orientation of our state. According to preliminary estimates, about 10 people will be able to take advantage of this opportunity during the next conscription campaign "Autumn-2016". The insignificant number is due to restrictions on categories of citizens who are forbidden to carry weapons for religious or other reasons. The final decision is made by the conscription commission after reviewing the materials and documents submitted by the applicant and consulting with the department for religious and nationalities affairs of the regional executive committee. – How is the retraining of servicemen discharged into the reserve carried out? — We pay increased attention to the training and accumulation of specialists in the reserve, necessary for the qualitative manning of the Armed Forces, other troops and military formations. The General Staff plan provides for a whole set of measures to ensure a sufficient number of people who are well-trained in theory and practice. Special emphasis is placed on reserve officers with higher military education or those who have completed active military service. However, if there is a shortage of resources in certain military registration specialties, their training is carried out during training sessions, at military departments and faculties. – Are military commissariats carrying out educational and patriotic work? — We are making enormous efforts to perpetuate the memory of the defenders of the Fatherland and victims of wars. In particular, this year alone, in cooperation with local authorities, we have received 16 samples of military equipment asmuseum exhibits for their installation at military burial sites and alleys of military glory in Beshenkovichi, Vitebsk, Dokshitsy, Miory, Rossony, Senno, and Ushachi. In addition, specialists are studying archival documents, thanks to which 245 new names of fallen soldiers buried in the region have become known. As part of the search work in the first half of 2016, 7 information sheets were compiled and sent to the department for perpetuating the memory of the defenders of the Fatherland and victims of wars.

Eduard KAROLEVICH, "Vitebskiye Vesti". Photo by the author.