New head of Lithuanian Riflemen’s Union platoon: we must be like flint

The newly appointed leader of the Lithuanian Riflemen’s Union’s (LRU) Vilnius 10th District Training Platoon, real estate analyst Mindaugas Kulbokas, says the organisation’s mission is to serve as a reliable force in times of crisis, LRT Radio’s Pažinimai programme reports.

Kulbokas, who balances his civilian career with volunteer service, told LRT that he joined the LRU eight years ago after seeking meaningful activity during a period of personal transition. “There was this thought that I needed to do something. Something inside me awoke—something that had been dormant for a long time and never surfaced before,” he said. Though he had no prior military experience, his decision was influenced by his faith and connections within Lithuania’s military chaplaincy.

He took the Rifleman’s oath in 2019, during the organisation’s centennial celebrations. “Back then, the LRU wasn’t as active, but in June they marked 100 years, and many took the oath in the cathedral. I swore in on July 6th, just before my 50th birthday. I told myself, ‘This is a gift that came to you from somewhere.’ That’s how my path began—as a cautious civilian putting on the Rifleman’s uniform for the first time,” Kulbokas recalled.

As platoon leader, he now oversees basic training for new recruits, covering uniform standards, organisational structure, and ethical codes. Advanced instruction includes military context, crisis response, and survival skills. “The key question is: how can we be useful to society?” he said. “We must think about how to help as a strong organisation that collaborates with police, fire services, and other agencies. Whether it’s a storm disrupting a funeral, a missing person search, or an unauthorised aircraft in our airspace—our essential task is to assist.”

Kulbokas emphasised that the LRU offers diverse roles beyond field exercises, from cybersecurity and disinformation resistance to first aid and emergency coordination. “The core principle is staying alive in extreme situations,” he said. “Another task is ensuring we remain a unified, disciplined force—like flint, ready to spark when needed.”