MINSK, 29 January (BelTA) – Belarus President Aleksandr Lukashenko has supported a proposal to enable conscripts to choose the type of military service that has to do with their profession. The corresponding question was put by a military cadet at the president's meeting with students on 29 January, BelTA has learned.
The cadet noted that all male students are entitled to one deferral from military service to receive education. Accordingly, after graduation, all eligible young men will be drafted into the army, and only after completing their military service they will be able to take up post-graduate programs. The cadet asked whether it can be made possible for a conscript to choose the type of military service that matches his area of expertise, as is the case with the IT company.
“This should be done, if he [a conscript] is a professional. Indeed, we have created an IT company. Good guys, they serve. We really need such military men. Now I tend to rely more on the people who served in the army and who know what this service is about. Let's say he is not an IT specialist, but an expert in another area that is also needed in the army. Why not. Is there no healthcare service [in the army]? Let them serve according to their area of expertise. And maybe they will stay there,” the head of state said.
“The Defense Ministry will be told to submit a proposal to me on this matter. This is a very good question,” the Belarusian leader added.
