Over 100 Czech high school students participate in pilot army training program
In light of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, the Czech military has moved to increase the number of recruits it can rely on in case of an escalation. One program the army has rolled out this year is a one-month training for high school students. Over 100 students chose to participate, trading holiday comfort for early mornings, running in the woods, and military drills.
During the final hours of training, students practiced what they had learned over the month, such as putting on chemical protection gear and handling weapons correctly.
Petr, a student at the military training, recounts his experience to Radiožurnál:
“We are learning basic commands, how to use the weapon, how to load it, we have to know exactly what to do.”
Meanwhile, his colleague, Jakub, sees himself as a professional soldier.
“I was already determined to do so before the training. I will join the drivers in Žatec if it works out.”
While all participants completed the parallel course in Libava, 17 people dropped out of the training organized by the 4th Rapid Deployment Brigade. Some were injured, while others lost motivation. The students who successfully completed the training will receive around 30,000 crowns. In the final week, recruiters visited the students to assess their interest in joining the army or at least the active reserves.
An instructor told Radiožurnál that at least 32 of the students are working to remain in the army. This aligns with what Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of the Czech Republic Karel Řehka promised in June.
"Of course, we need to recruit and gain people, either for the active reserves or as professional soldiers. We aim to bring the army and military life closer to this young generation. I think there is a huge potential for the future there to be a great benefit to society and for the resilience of society."
The students completed the full training within a month. The soldiers accommodated them by holding the exercise during the holidays, shortening it from six weeks to four.
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The students also agreed that the limited access to mobile phones— which had to remain in the hostel all day and were only accessible in the evening—did not cause them any problems, as Monika told Radiožurnál.
"I was quite stressed at the beginning, but I'm not a person who is completely dependent on the phone, so I managed quite well."
Most of the students will now return to civilian life, but all will remain in the reserves. They will not be going on any drills, but if the security situation worsens, the state can call them up on a priority basis.
