From October 5, 2024, new rules of voluntary military service were introduced in Ukraine. This became known at a joint briefing of representatives of the General Staff of the Armed Forces, the Ministry of Defense and civilian recruiting platforms.
The Lobby X platform, which specializes in recruiting for the Security and Defense Forces, said that these changes will significantly simplify the recruitment process.
Now volunteers can interact directly with the selected military units, without going to territorial recruitment centers (TCC). Commanders of military units received the right to independently issue referrals to the Military Medical Commission (MMC). This decision gives volunteers a five-day protection from forced mobilization from the moment of receiving a referral to the VLK.
The new rules apply to priority units. For non-priority units, conscription is also possible directly, but the candidacy must first be agreed with the General Staff. Volunteers can get information about the status of the unit after an interview with its representatives.
It is noted that direct conscription is possible only through mobilization. For contract service, there is a preliminary system with letters of recommendation.
Volunteers can join the Defense Forces both through recruiting centers of military units and through platforms such as Lobby X. Platform founder Vladyslav Grezev emphasized that the new rules will help avoid mistakes in the distribution of volunteers after passing through training centers.
Mobilization procedure for volunteers:
- Make a comment on the vacancy in the selected unit of the Defense Forces.
- Pass the selection and receive a positive decision from the representative of the unit.
- Submit a statement of desire to enlist in the chosen position to the commander of the military unit.
- Receive a referral to the VLK from the commander.
- Pass the VLK at the place of registration or at the place of deployment of the unit.
- After passing the VLK — the start of service at the permanent deployment point (PPD).
Volunteers who do not have military experience in the last 10 years are sent to the Training Center for basic military training before starting their service.
