Former commander of the army, conservative Arvydas Pocius suggests that people who avoid military service and simulate mental illness should not be given a driver’s license or a gun permit.

“When a young man arrives, whose health file does not contain any records that he previously had mental disorders, and suddenly, as a candidate to be called up for initial mandatory military service, begins to simulate, imitate – the regulations for the military medical service commission should be revised. If there are no records, (…) such a person could face restrictions when issuing a permit to drive a car or to issue a permit to purchase a weapon,” A. Pocius told LNK television on Saturday.

The member of the Seimas is also confused by the data of the military medical service on persons unable to perform military service due to mental illnesses and psychological problems, so A. Pocius suggests evaluating how the relevant psychiatrists perform their work.

“I really don’t believe that 44 percent our society is mentally unhealthy. I think that perhaps the cases of simulation should be reviewed, perhaps the work of the psychiatrists themselves should be evaluated, because, perhaps in order to insure themselves, they make a decision not to let them into the army”, the former army commander thinks.

At that time, the Minister of National Defense Arvydas Anušauskas assures that all possible cases of simulation are investigated during health checks and most of them are not confirmed.

“We check those cases, they’re only another one percent.” However, the absolute majority of those who are already sick have chronic diseases that have been going on for years,” A. Anušauskas told journalists.

ELTA reminds that over 27,000 people were added to the conscript list this year. 18-23 year olds. A total of 3,845 young men are planned to be called up for service this year, and another 210 high school students or graduates will be able to serve in the Young Officers’ Commanders Training (JKVM).

Compilation of the list of conscripts by lottery may be the last this year, as the Seimas will decide on the draft reform of conscription already in the spring session.

According to the draft registered in the Seimas, it is proposed to reduce the age of conscription and to include 18-21 year olds in the service. conscripts. More changes are expected – mandatory initial military service could no longer be postponed, young people who graduated from higher education institutions with specialties lacking in the army would be invited to it, and there would be an opportunity to shorten the time of service.

It is estimated that such changes would allow to increase the number of young people drafted annually to 5 thousand. For this, four more battalions with military campuses should be established in Lithuania – it is estimated that this would cost the country at least 500 million. euros. It would take 5-6 years to create the infrastructure for such a project, says Deputy Minister of National Defense Žilvinas Tomkus.

However, the conservatives who proposed the conscription reform hope to agree with other parliamentary parties on universal conscription as well.