Minister Anušić in Slunj: a conscript undergoing basic military training must not be dismissed; students will be granted a deferral while studying
During a working visit to the training area in Slunj, Minister of Defence Ivan Anušić and Chief of the CAF General Staff General Kundid toured the facilities intended for attendees of the basic military training
Today, 7 April 2025, Deputy Prime Minister of the Republic of Croatia and Minister of Defence Ivan Anušić and the Chief of the CAF General Staff LTG Tihomir Kundid visited, the Eugen Kvaternik training area in Slunj and on that occasion toured the facilities intended for attendees of the basic military training.
The training area in Slunj is one of three locations where basic military training will be conducted. In addition to it, there is the MG Andrija Matijaš-Pauk barracks in Knin and the 123rd Brigade HV barracks in Požega.
After touring the facilities where the conscripts will stay, Minister Anušić said that everything is ready for basic military training and that the only thing awaited is adoption of the legal framework that will regulate it.
“The armed forces have prepared the infrastructure and today, we were once again convinced that everything is ready. We visited the dining room, dormitories, classrooms, the areas where conscripts will stay for two months as part of the basic military training,” the Minister said, adding that the Defence Act and the Act on Service in the Croatian Armed Forces are in the process of being harmonized. It is expected that they should be adopted by the summer recess of the Croatian Parliament, meaning that the first conscripts are expected in the barracks in autumn.
Basic military training (TVO): monthly allowance, record of the period of service, job protection, priority in employment
Referring to advantages that candidates undergoing basic military training will have, the Minister highlighted a monthly allowance of 1,100 euros, record of two months of basic military training in the years of pensionable service and priority in employment in the civil and public service for those who complete basic military training. The Minister emphasized that an employed conscript cannot and must not be dismissed during basic military training because his employment rights will be suspended in accordance with the Labour Act.
Conversely, students will have the option to request a deferral of the basic military training while they study, but they must do it by the time they are 29 years old.
He emphasized that girls will also be able to attend basic military training. Today, they complete voluntary military training together with young men, making up about 15 percent of the total number of participants.
In the context of the goals and reasons for introducing basic military training, the Minister said that one of the goals is to strengthen the reserve force of the Croatian Army, which was seriously weakened after the abolition of compulsory military service in 2008.
“We must have reserve forces. We have a serious problem that began to emerge in late 2008 with the end of compulsory military service, because we no longer have people for the reserve forces. It is with these people who will complete basic military training that we will fill our capacities for the possible needs of the reserve forces in the future,” the Minister said.
General Kundid: Conscripts will reach all foreseen standards through a training cycle lasting eight weeks
The Chief of the CAF General Staff briefly commented the basic military training programme.
“A conscript’s day is a classic military day: early rise, exercise, morning training until lunch. After lunch, there is an afternoon cycle of classes and in-service training until dinner. After dinner, that cycle ends as far as the training itself is concerned, and conscripts are entitled to free time, taps and everything else regulated by the military service regulations,” he said.
In the context of possible physical preparations for basic military training, General Kundid said that there is no need for any preliminary preparations.
“All foreseen standards that conscripts will need to achieve will be attained through an eight-week training cycle. After those eight weeks, they will reach the planned level of training, practice of drills and procedures and capabilities. Therefore, they will acquire certain competencies, knowledge and skills that are necessary to sign up for active duty military service or for serving in the reserve,” he concluded.
