Ready for new challenges: 162 conscripts began voluntary military training in Požega

Today, on 19 May 2025, in the Basic Military Training Battalion of the Infantry and Armour Training Centre in Požega, basic military training began for this year’s second, also the 46th generation of conscripts who undergo voluntary military training.

Young men and women from all over the Republic of Croatia arrived at the “123rd Brigade of the Croatian Army” barracks in Požega. They are 158 conscripts, or 130 young men and 28 young women, who will voluntarily undergo military training according to the standard programme. Four top athletes also applied for voluntary military training: a skier Tvrtko Ljutić, athletes Filip Pravdica and Roko Farkaš, and sailer Elena Vorobeva.

By signing the Contract on Voluntary Military Training, conscripts began an eight-week training course focused on acquiring basic military skills. After receiving equipment and placement in units, training is conducted under professional supervision of instructors and commanders. Top athletes, who are part of this generation, continue their training in their parent sports clubs after completing the oath.

Athlete Roko Farkaš decided to voluntarily undergo military training in order to learn new military tactics and complete basic military training: “I am happy to share the military training process with three other fellow athletes.”

His colleague Filip Pravdica signed up with the aim of experiencing order, work and discipline and mastering basic military skills – from hygiene to daily work duties.

“Military service is different from sports in which you have some kind of goal, while in military training I expect to acquire skills that cannot be acquired in sport,” Pravdica said.

Skiing national team member Tvrtko Ljutić said that he was among those who applied to gain new experiences related to the military.

Valentina from Županja, Livio from Slatina and Josip from Saborsko are among the young people who have decided to voluntarily undergo military training, each with their own personal motives.

Valentina signed up for voluntary military training “out of patriotism and better opportunities in life,” and Livio from Slatina admits to feeling a little nervous because, as he says, he is entering a new chapter, but emphasizes that voluntary military training is an honour and an opportunity for a new experience for him. Josip from Saborsko emphasizes that his first impressions are good and adds: “My greatest desire is to serve my homeland. My father is a war invalid and that is why I also want to experience the life of a soldier.”

Commander of the 3rd Training Company, Captain Milan Matošević, is expecting conscripts in his company, and is involved in the entire admission process, from equipment assignment, accommodation to security briefing. After arrival of all participants, he will introduce them to the training course, rules and standards they must meet during the eight-week program.

The first two weeks will be dedicated to adapting to the military environment, and after taking the oath, the main part of the training will follow. During this period, conscripts will work on increasing their psychophysical readiness, conducting preparatory shooting and performing military tasks in realistic conditions, while the final weeks will consolidate all knowledge and skills acquired through previous training.

The end of voluntary military training includes a final evaluation, followed by a competition for the best conscript.

For most young men and women who have signed up, this is the first step towards a professional military career. Namely, by successfully completing voluntary military training, they meet the requirement for specialist military training and signing a contract on active military service. Conscripts who do not decide for a military career after completing basic training become members of the classified reserve.