Leadership of NBS, along with ministers of education and health, should discuss reforming physical fitness program in schools - Melnis

RIGA - The leadership of the National Armed Forces (NBS) and the ministers of education and health should discuss how to establish a system for physical fitness and psychological resilience in schools, Defense Minister Raivis Melnis said in an interview with LETA.

Speaking about the recruitment of young people into the army, Melnis agreed that the army would like to see athletes enlist, be able to pick up a 50-kilogram backpack, and immediately set out to carry out their assignments.

At the same time, he fully agreed that the leadership of the NBS should discuss with the ministers of education and health how to reform the system and place greater emphasis on young people’s physical fitness and psychological resilience already in school, so that they would be better prepared for service.

He acknowledged that, in the future, it might be possible to consider lowering the entry requirements; but in his view, this would be very challenging, as any commander would point out that a soldier must be able to run and carry equipment from day one in order to participate in missions.

"However, we must understand that our society has also changed, and we need to find a balance in how to encourage young people to come and join the NBS without scaring them off with high physical fitness and health requirements. That is why I believe we need to discuss this and arrive at a model that benefits the education system, the NBS, and the young person alike," Melnis emphasized.

At the same time, the minister fully agreed that a drone operator or a specialist responsible for cyberspace defense does not need the same level of physical fitness as an infantryman or a soldier in a special operations unit.

In response to the observation that previously wounded soldiers serve in logistics and drone units in the Ukrainian army, Melnis replied that Ukraine’s experience is different because they focus on people’s abilities, though at the same time, one must take into account that there is a war in Ukraine.

"In peacetime, the army also had all these enlistment requirements, but the war changed many conditions and perceptions. There are many people, including civilians, who perform specific tasks during wartime and do not have to run or dig trenches. We need to observe, learn, and consider how much of Ukraine’s experience we can adopt. All of this must be done through a thorough assessment," Melnis emphasized.