Compulsory service to remain deferred for students under New Defence Code - Defence Ministry

Georgia’s new Defence Code will recognise the status of a student as a basis for deferring compulsory military service for citizens of the country, the Ministry of Defence said on Friday in latest updates on the updated legislation.

The statement of the Ministry noted students would complete the service during their studies only if they voluntarily applied for the programme, which has been completely transferred to the Ministry’s mandate from other state bodies.

It also said student holidays and weekends would be used to allow students to complete their service, and added the new Code was “fully compatible” with NATO and European Union standards.

The Ministry detailed terms for the completion of the service for students, explaining it was offering them annual month-long trainings in the summer for the next four years, or a two-year junior officer training programme in a schedule that would “not hinder their education”.

Those joining the programme will be awarded the rank of a lieutenant if they receive an academic degree, and the rank of a sergeant in the absence of a degree. They can also qualify for a “existing paid territorial reserve” service to serve for 45 days annually over four years, with the conclusion of the third year of service also marking their compulsory service as completed.