Lithuania’s Defence Ministry finalizes conscription list for 2025 identifying 25,000 young men
42502 Mins Read
The Lithuanian Defence Ministry has finalized the list of conscripts for 2025, identifying 25,149 young men eligible for mandatory military service. The process, initiated by Defence Minister Dovilė Šakalienė with the press of a button to activate a computer program, was completed in just one hour under the scrutiny of four independent observers. The list now awaits the defence minister’s signature.
In total, Lithuania plans to call up approximately 3,900 young people for service this year. Notably, over 700 individuals have already volunteered, according to Arūnas Balčiūnas, director of the Military Conscription and Recruitment Service at the Armed Forces. “This is a good signal,” Balčiūnas said, highlighting the growing enthusiasm among young people to serve.
Additionally, several hundred students and graduates of higher education institutions will have the opportunity to attend junior officer command training programs, enabling them to perform their service in a leadership capacity.
The comprehensive list of conscripts is set to be published by Friday. The first group of conscripts is expected to begin their service in early February.
Options for Students and Volunteers
Students are not automatically included in the conscription list but remain eligible for call-up after graduation until they turn 26. They also have the option to voluntarily suspend their studies to serve or complete military training as junior officers over a three-year period.
For those preferring a less permanent commitment, Lithuania offers voluntary non-permanent military service through the National Defence Volunteer Forces. Both young men and women aged 18 to 38 can also opt to volunteer, choosing their preferred location and service period while receiving benefits.
Minister Šakalienė emphasized the need for systemic improvements to attract and retain more citizens in military service. “A country is only as strong as its citizens. I don’t know a more meaningful commitment to the state than the determination to defend it,” she said, while acknowledging existing challenges in staffing and infrastructure.
The minister highlighted that about 50% of potential conscripts are currently deemed unfit for service due to health or motivational issues. “This is an abnormal figure,” Šakalienė stated, calling for enhanced infrastructure and more instructors to accommodate increased conscription numbers.
Upcoming Reforms in 2025
From January 1, 17-year-olds in Lithuania will have one month to undergo medical check-ups to determine their fitness for military service. This move is part of broader conscription reforms, focusing on drafting 18–22-year-olds who have completed high school. Volunteers aged 18 to 39 will also be welcomed.
Key changes include extending alternative service from 10 to 12 months and introducing three-month service terms for young professionals with skills in high demand within the Armed Forces. These reforms aim to strengthen the military while offering flexibility for volunteers and professionals.
In 2024, about 3,900 young people were called up, with nearly half volunteering for service. The Defence Ministry expects similar levels of enthusiasm this year as it prepares to bolster Lithuania’s national defense capabilities.
