The Latvian Ministry of Defense has extended the application deadline for the July call-up of the national defense service due to high interest among youth.
In response to the growing interest among young people, the Latvian Ministry of Defense has extended the application period for the July call-up of the national defense service until April 13. This extension invites Latvian citizens aged 18 to 27 to voluntarily apply for an 11-month military service or a five-year service in the National Guard, which will commence on July 17 of this year.
The initial application period for the summer 2026 call-up closed on January 14, yet the Ministry continues to receive inquiries from young individuals and their parents expressing a desire to participate in the national defense service this summer. Various reasons have led to missed deadlines, and the Ministry's initiative aims to accommodate these interests. Specifically, applicants can join the 36th Combat Support Battalion in LΕ«znavΔ or the battalion in Skrunda, alongside four brigades of the National Guard across Latvia: Riga, Vidzeme, Kurzeme, and Latgale.
By applying voluntarily for the upcoming July call-up, citizens will not face further selection through a random lottery for subsequent call-ups. This initiative highlights the increasing willingness of young Latvians to engage in national service, reflecting a broader trend of heightened interest in defense roles amidst global and regional security concerns.
