Czech Army Recruits Record Number of Volunteers

This year, the Armed Forces of the Czech Republic have enlisted a record number of contract recruits – the highest in their history.

The Ministry of Defence of the Czech Republic attributed this success to a combination of factors: improved financial incentives for service members, proactive efforts by the Army Personnel Agency, and streamlined legislative procedures that facilitate easier candidate recruitment for the military.

Amendments to the law on professional service have removed a number of barriers that previously hindered recruitment.

“The recruitment target for this year is to enlist 2,100 new professional servicemen. We have already achieved this goal,” Brig. Gen. Vladimir Studeny, director of the Czech Armed Forces Personnel Agency, stated.

This number includes both recruits who have already joined units and those undergoing basic training or scheduled to start it by the end of the year.

Colonel Iva Bednářová clarified that new training courses are scheduled for September 15 and November 1. There are still 200 vacancies available for the November intake, which are expected to be fully filled.

Similar figures were last recorded in 2006, when 2,262 servicemen joined the armed forces.

Over the past two decades, the Czech army has exceeded the mark of two thousand recruits only five times. By comparison, between 2010 and 2012, the total number of conscripts was only 1,935.

Considering staff turnover, the size of the Czech army is expected to increase by 650 soldiers this year.

The Ministry of Defense attributes the growing interest in service to improved pay conditions. The minimum salary for a qualified serviceman after enlistment is CZK 47,200 (over 92,000 hryvnias).

In addition, recruits receive an enhanced recruitment bonus starting at CZK 90,000 (over UAH 176,000), as well as two stabilization payments that replaced the previous one-time payment.

In July, voluntary military training sessions were held in the Czech Republic for youth aged 18 to 22, with 718 participants.

The program aims to prepare young people for actions in crisis situations and to strengthen national defense capabilities.

These training sessions are part of a broader strategy by the Czech Republic’s Ministry of Defence aimed at involving youth in building the reserve forces and developing skills useful in both military service and civilian life.