On January 15 defence attachés of Belarus, the U.S.A., China, Russia and other countries' armed forces who are based in Lithuania paid a visit to the Headquarters of the National Defence Volunteer Force (NDVF).
The honourable delegation met with the leadership of the National Defence Volunteer Force and heads of staff sections. The Lithuanian National Defence Volunteer Force to mark its 22nd anniversary in the short run was presented to the delegation. Aspects of the development and evolution of the branch, activities, tasks and service of volunteer soldiers were reviewed.
The delegation were highly interested in the training of the National Defence Volunteer Force's military personnel, their service in the Lithuanian Armed Forces and multinational operations. Among the topics discussed there were compatibility of civilian and military activities of a volunteer soldier, solutions to employer-related problems if a volunteer soldier is called up for a longer period of time, for example, in case of a multinational deployment, the system of recruiting and agitating the society to join the Lithuanian Armed Forces. Currently one of the main tasks of the NDVF is inviting Lithuania's citizens to serve not only in the NDVF but also in other branches of the Lithuanian Armed Forces.
The defence attaché delegation and leadership of the national Defence Volunteer Force expressed their delight about the successful establishment of study relations. An intensified cooperation in bilateral format is now anticipated as the NDVF seeks to renew and re-establish a closer cooperation with counterpart branches in the national armed forces of foreign countries.
Currently the strength of the NDVF numbers to over 4 thousand volunteer troops trained to provide combatant protection and defence of the land territory of the Republic of Lithuania, multinational operations and to render assistance to other state and municipal institutions in carrying out their functions.
POC: PAO for the National Defence Volunteer Force Command 1st Lt Tomas Pakalniškis, cell phone 00370 657 61271
Photo by Sgt Eugenijus Žygaitis
