Minister proposes Matukonis as deputy chief of Riflemen’s Union

Defence Minister Robertas Kaunas has proposed appointing Lieutenant Colonel Mindaugas Matukonis as deputy commander of the Lithuanian Riflemen’s Union, LRT reports.

Matukonis would replace Gediminas Latvis, whose term has ended.

“The professional experience and competences accumulated by Lieutenant Colonel M. Matukonis would create the conditions to strengthen the activities of the Lithuanian Riflemen’s Union, improve its legal and organisational framework, ensure the effective implementation of tasks set by state institutions and contribute to society’s preparedness for the defence of the state,” the minister’s submission says.

The deputy commander’s term lasts three years. The union’s commander, Colonel Linas Idzelis, currently has two deputies, Laimonas Vaškys and Dovidas Jonušas.

The Government will make the final decision on Matukonis’s appointment. The Lithuanian Riflemen’s Union is a voluntary paramilitary civic organisation whose aims are to strengthen the country’s defence capacity and promote civic engagement. It currently has nearly 20,000 members.