Serbia returns to mandatory military service and the first recruits should be in the barracks in March 2027, Defense Minister Bratislav Gašić said at the beginning of July 2026.
He believes that a great injustice was done to older generations when military service was abolished in 2011, and that a large number of countries are returning military service.
"There is no country that does not return military service. This has proven to be a necessity," Gasic said.
How long will military service last?
And Serbia, he says, chose the "optimal" way. The military service will last a total of 75 days - training 60 days, while 15 days are provided for training camp conditions.
This applies to young men from 19 to 27 years old, and up to 30 for those who postpone the commitment. Girls will be able to serve in the army voluntarily.
The minister pointed out that the law on compulsory military service should be adopted in the fall and pointed out that Serbia is ready for compulsory military service in terms of infrastructure and that the barracks are being equipped.
When calls for a medical examination arrive
President of Serbia Aleksandar Vučić said that the first invitations could go to young men born in 2006, and the Ministry of Defense has already prepared forms and basic guidelines on the appearance of future recruits.
The state will start the official procedure half a year earlier. The plan of the competent institutions is to complete all obligations regarding the recruitment list by September or October of this year, which in practice means that the first invitations for detailed medical examinations to the young men's addresses could arrive already in the coming months, the media write.
Future recruits, they added, will undergo detailed ophthalmic and hearing tests to operate modern systems and optics. In addition, comprehensive cardiovascular checks and exercise tests will be performed to accurately assess physical endurance under exertion. Special emphasis is placed on specific psychological personality tests that are used to check mental stability and reaction in crisis situations under pressure.
Part of the training would take place in the barracks, and part would take place in the field and training grounds. After the medical examination and selection, the uniform and the military regimen follow, write "Novosti" and add that normative documents, training plans, methodical manuals have been prepared, facilities for accommodation and training have been arranged, and new equipment has been purchased that will welcome the first generation of recruits.
Who can serve in civilian service?
For those who make a conscientious objection, civil service for the duration of about 150 days is foreseen. Without weapons, but with the obligation to work on logistical and auxiliary tasks - from administration to maintenance of the support system.
Will phones be allowed?
The biggest challenge, experts say, will be the adaptation of the new generations to the military regime. Most of the controversy in the previous period was about mobile phones and the ban on access to social networks, writes Novosti.
Hair, piercings and tattoos
The Ministry of Defense has already prepared the basic guidelines for visual patterns on the appearance of future recruits. Soldiers' hair must not fall over the ears or collar, and beards are strictly prohibited under all circumstances. In order for these rules to be respected without exception, free military barbershops will operate in the barracks.
Earrings, piercings and any other body jewelry are not permitted within a military environment. When it comes to tattoos, they are only acceptable if they are not on the face, neck or other easily visible parts of the body that are visible when the summer uniform is put on.
Strict rules of tidiness will also apply to girls who volunteer to serve the motherland, so they are required to have a neatly tied and pulled back hairstyle that allows the unhindered and proper wearing of helmets and caps, with a strict ban on offensive and unnatural hair colors.
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