Over 8,000 apply for voluntary military service in Lithuania

More than 8,100 young people have applied to voluntarily fulfill Lithuania’s mandatory military service this year, the Lithuanian Armed Forces reported on Monday, citing the highest number recorded to date.

According to military data, around 4,400 individuals expressed their willingness to begin service before being included in the conscription lists, while 3,700 others, already listed, requested priority enrollment.

Arūnas Balčiūnas, director of the Military Conscription and Recruitment Service under the Military Command and Enlistment Office, said the record number reflects growing youth engagement in strengthening national security and understanding their role in the total defense system. However, due to limited capacity, not all applicants will be accepted this year.

The military noted that conscripts who receive a call to study and later face a decision on mandatory service can use academic leave to complete their service and then return to their studies.