Mission for a Lifetime
Already 1,000 determined Hungarians committed to their homeland have signed on in the Hungarian Defence Forces
Text: Ministry of Defence | Photo: Gábor Kormány | 12:00 September 5, 2024The “I love it, I defend it!” campaign is a success. Many thousands of people have shown interest so far, thousands have applied, and from among them, 1,000 determined Hungarians committed to their homeland have already signed on in the Hungarian Defence Forces to strengthen Hungary’s defence as territorial defence reservists – this was announced by Defence Minister Kristóf Szalay-Bobrovniczky. As recruits, several Olympians, national champion athletes, ex-footballer Péter Rajczi and Norbert Schobert Jr. have also joined the reserve force due to the campaign.
“Never have such a great number of volunteers applied to serve with the armed forces in such a short time since the start of the system of Hungarian territorial defence reserve. Instead of call-up papers, Hungary has given its youth an invitation. This invitation is for a mission for a lifetime in a community where belongingness, collective responsibility and camaraderie are fundamental and indispensable” – said the minister.
The minister emphasized that besides their civilian occupations, territorial defence reservists contribute to the service of the homeland. “This is because the most important thing is the manpower who ensure the defence of the homeland through their dedication” – said Kristóf Szalay-Bobrovniczky.
One can complete reservist training in a modular system besides one’s job or studies, even at weekends. All applicants receive an annual gross sum of HUF 600,000, that is, HUF 50,000 per month after basic training, and the gross fee upon concluding the contract is HUF 150,000. For the call-up period, they receive daily basic salary. On top of the above, each reservist is given a gross referral bonus of HUF 500,000 after the new reservist recruited by him or her completes basic training. Those pursuing their tertiary studies may apply for a gross reservist grant of HUF 160,000 per month, but the sum of the grant may reach up to HUF 360,000, and the students of vocational schools are entitled to a gross grant of HUF 110,000 insofar as they enlist for service during their studies – the minister went on saying.
“We continuously receive applications on the website iranyasereg.hu. We have already received many thousands of applications from people who have indicated their interest in some form” – said the minister. He added that the system of territorial defence reserve covers the whole area of the country, and having undergone training, the reservists can do service locally. “The training programs of our enlisted, tough, brave reservists are currently under way in a total of 21 garrisons around the country” – said Kristóf Szalay-Bobrovniczky.
Press release by the Ministry of Defence
