NOS Latvian teenagers during a military exercise
NOS Nieuws•vandaag, 19:00
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Rolien Créton
Scandinavia correspondent
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Chiem Balduk
Foreign Editor
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Rolien Créton
Scandinavia correspondent
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Chiem Balduk
Foreign Editor
An obstacle course, a lesson on ‘how to respond to a chemical attack’ and a target practice. Every year, thousands of Latvian teenagers attend military training by the Jaunsardze (Youth Guards), part of the Ministry of Defense. From next year, such lessons will be a mandatory part of school for young people between the ages of 16 and 18.
That is not without reason. Residents of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania, which share a 520 kilometer border with Russia, fear they will become the next target after the invasion of Ukraine. “You learn not only military skills here, but also about patriotism and respecting your country,” says one student.
Last week, Russian President Putin threatened to take action against Latvia because Russian-speaking citizens would be treated unfairly. NATO is seriously considering the scenario in which Russia destroys the Baltic states attacksdespite NATO membership.
From 10 years
The students of the Vicumnieki school, about 50 kilometers southeast of the Latvian capital Riga, hang on the lips of National Guard teacher Klav Zajkalns. Zajkalns, with mohawk and like the students dressed in army uniform, takes the airsoft device, a copy of the rifle used in the army. He points it at the door of the room and goes through all the steps. “Bam, bam, bam,” he finishes.
In groups of two, students take apart the different parts of the airsoft device and have to name each part. The weapon is then reassembled. For most young people this happens very quickly. “It’s actually very simple,” says Celsija Gerika. She patiently helps her classmate who is struggling to loosen two pins.
Children from the age of ten can register for military training, organized by the National Guard. The students in Zajkalns’ class volunteered, but next school year military education will become mandatory for this age group.
NOS Latvian teenagers during a military exercise
Participants are promised a “useful and meaningful” use of their free time, promoting “civic awareness and patriotism”. The training is free; costs for transport, accommodation and meals will be reimbursed. And of course everyone gets their own military suit, with a proud ‘Jaunsardze’ emblem.
Cover after 2014
After the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991, there was initially a period of hope and optimism, says Ieva Berzina of the Research Institute for Security and Strategy. Independence had been regained and membership of the EU and NATO seemed a guarantee of security. “There was a confidence that democracy had won and that there was no need to strengthen the army.”
That all changed in 2014, with Russia’s annexation of Crimea and occupation of eastern Ukraine. Unrest arose in the Baltic states over Russian belligerence. Latvia decided to reintroduce conscription after the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Berzina: “That means that everyone is responsible to defend the country. The mandatory military training in Latvian schools is part of this principle.”
In addition, significant investments were made in the army. Latvia is one of the few countries that meets the NATO standard of spending 2 percent of gross domestic product (GDP) on defense. The number of soldiers must grow by 30 percent in the near future to around 31,000 people, in a population of 1.8 million people. The hope is that many Jaunsardze youth will later decide on a military career.
Growing up to be free Europeans
Latvia’s independence is celebrated annually with a military parade in which the Jaunsardze also participate. Around the day of the celebration, the 42-meter-high Statue of Liberty in Riga is surrounded by a red and white sea of flowers, in the colors of the Latvian flag. Children place the bouquets in front of the statue while their parents try to capture the moment, including soldiers standing guard.
Janis Melkis also accompanies his toddler with a red and white bouquet. “I think military training is a good idea,” he says. “It shapes young people. And it is necessary: I want my children to grow up in a free democracy. Growing up to be what they are: Europeans.”
In Vicimnieki, dusk has already fallen when the group of students still has to march. Without street lights, they walk in the dark to the teacher’s beat. Celsija Gerika did not hesitate for a second. “I often think about the invasion of Ukraine and the question of which country will follow,” she says. “When disaster strikes, we must be prepared to protect our country and each other.”
2023-12-15 18:00:01
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