Over 150 young people begin service in Duke Vaidotas Infantry Battalion

More than 150 young people have started their nine-month mandatory initial military service in the Duke Vaidotas Infantry Battalion, the Lithuanian Armed Forces (LK) reported on Monday.

According to the LK, all recruits either volunteered for service or, after being listed as conscripts, expressed their wish to serve early. In the first days, the new soldiers will familiarise themselves with the battalion’s internal regulations, service organisation principles, and daily unit operations.

The recruits will be equipped with necessary gear, meet their direct commanders, learn their service schedules, and begin an adaptation and initial training phase. Training will follow programmes approved by the LK.

For the first three months, soldiers will complete a basic training course, acquiring fundamental military knowledge and practical skills. Training will cover tactics, weapon handling, topographic navigation, first aid, communication procedures, and other essential disciplines.

After completing basic training, soldiers will be assigned to specific roles within the battalion’s subunits. There, they will deepen their professional knowledge, refine practical skills, and learn to perform tasks both individually and as part of a team.

Over the nine-month service period, the LK states that recruits will not only gain military preparedness but also develop discipline, responsibility, leadership, initiative, and teamwork. After service, they may choose to continue in professional military service, study at the Lithuanian Military Academy, or join the active reserve.

Active reserve soldiers participate in regular training and exercises, maintain and improve their military skills, and are prepared to contribute to Lithuania’s defence tasks.