Lithuanian president hails growing attractiveness of military service

VILNIUS – Modernization of infrastructure is increasing the attractiveness of military service, Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda said at the inauguration of yet another military campus in Siauliai on Friday.

The new campus in Lithuania’s fourth-largest city is the third infrastructure site of the Lithuanian Armed Forces of such proportions built since regaining independence of the country.

Two similar campuses were opened in Rokantiskes, Vilnius District, and in Silale District in February. According to the country's officials, this infrastructure will help the Lithuanian Armed Forces to grow faster.

“Modern military infrastructure will allow us to continue to expand our military personnel and to continue the manning of Lithuanian military units. Most importantly, the attractiveness of military service has been growing in recent years,” Nauseda said at the opening of the campus.

“Therefore, we will continue to expand the military infrastructure and increase the number of professional military service personnel, ultimately moving towards universal conscription as an essential element of global defense,” he stressed.

The Siauliai campus has been equipped with administrative and special-purpose buildings: barracks, mess-hall, headquarters, medical facility, sports facility and training grounds.

The infrastructure also includes technical buildings, such as warehouses, garages, gas station, carwash and equipment shed. There are parade and equipment grounds and parking lots, including for electric cars and the disabled.

“Proper conditions of service, when you don't have to worry about how and where to dry your uniform or boots when you get back to the training grounds, the opportunity to have a good rest, not only opens up more time and opportunities for personal development, but also for professional development. This is a very important factor in raising the morale, motivation and combat readiness of soldiers," General Valdemaras Rupsys, Lithuania’s Chief of Defense, pointed out.

All three facilities can accommodate up to 2,400 military and civilian National Defense System personnel in total.

The total value of the three campuses in terms on construction, maintenance and services amounts to approximately 231 million euros, including VAT.

“In fact, the three military campuses – in Rokantiskes, Silale District and now in Siauliai – mark a new qualitative stage in the infrastructure,” Defense Minister Laurynas Kasciunas said.

According to Nauseda, the development of military campuses has been one of the most successful projects of the National Defense System in recent times.

“In recent years, we have been paying a lot of attention to military equipment and armaments, and we have been stockpiling supplies. We are also actively preparing to host troops from the German Brigade and the United States of America. I am pleased that in parallel, we are improving the conditions of service of our troops," the president told the guests at the inauguration ceremony.

The campus is dedicated for Duke Margiris Infantry Battalion and the 6th Territorial Unit of the Resurrection Military District of the National Defense Volunteer Force.  

This and other military infrastructure in Lithuania is being expanded in preparation for the creation of a division in the country by 2030, the hosting of a German brigade, and the improvement of conditions for the deployment of a US battalion.