Lithuania Sees Sharp Increase in Volunteers Asking to Join the Army

This year, the number of young people volunteering to serve in the army in Lithuania has increased dramatically compared to 2022-2023. This is reported by Delfi.

As noted, in less than 10 months of 2024, more than 2,700 young people who were not included in the conscription lists applied for military service. This is 48% more than in the same period in 2023 and 85% more than in 2022.

‘It is good to see that more and more young people are joining the army voluntarily... Such results are extremely important, especially given the global security situation today,’ said General Raimundas Vaikshnoras.

As noted, in October 2024, more than 1,300 young Lithuanians began to serve voluntarily (42% more than in 2023 and 74% more than in 2022). 

More than 500 young people have been declared fit for service and are now waiting to be called up.

Arunas Balčiūnas, a representative of the Lithuanian Army, believes that ‘the main way to encourage young people is through dialogue’.

‘If two years ago we managed to reach half of the high school students, this figure has increased significantly and is now 90%. We are pleased not only with the patriotic attitude of young people, but also with the leadership of teachers, riflemen (members of volunteer units - Ed.) and the military,’ he added.

The day before, the Lithuanian Defence Minister and the chairman of the parliamentary committee on national security and defence registered a bill that provides for the exemption from service in the Lithuanian armed forces of persons with Russian and Belarusian citizenship.