Romania broadens voluntary military service to replenish aging reserves
In a significant move, Romania is seeking to expand its voluntary military service as a strategic measure to revitalize its reserves and increase military personnel. The plan, which is currently under interministerial review, involves offering four-month training sessions to volunteers who will then become reservists with the possibility of becoming full-time soldiers.
The defense minister, Ionuț Moșteanu, has emphasized the need to engage more young people to maintain a capable military force for the future, given the evolving security context in Europe. During an interview reported by News.ro, Moșteanu expressed concern about the aging of the current reservists and the need to prepare for the future.
Under this draft law, individuals who complete the training sessions will become reservists for the Romanian Army. They may also have the opportunity to become employees of the Romanian Army. The law aims to rebuild the reserve force with younger personnel, ensuring long-term sustainability of military staffing to operate advanced defense equipment.
Crucially, the minister has rejected the idea of reintroducing compulsory military service, focusing instead on voluntary engagement and fixed-term volunteering arrangements. This approach aligns with other European countries’ efforts to increase their military personnel numbers either through voluntary service expansions or renewed debates over conscription.
The expansion of the military service is due to the aging of the current reservists. The minister, however, did not provide further details about the timeline for the expansion of the military base. He also did not discuss the potential impact of the expansion on employment opportunities within the Romanian Army, the role of fixed-term volunteers in the expansion of the military base, or any changes to the National Defense Law regarding the expansion of the military base.
This initiative comes amidst increasing geopolitical instability, notably highlighted by the Ukraine conflict. Romania's approach reflects a broader European trend of enhancing defense readiness through varied military service frameworks. As of July 2025, the Romanian government is actively discussing the implementation of this law[1].
[1] News.ro, "Romania to Expand Voluntary Military Service," July 1, 2025. [2] European Defense Agency, "European Defense Trends," 2025.
The expansion of Romania's voluntary military service, as reported by News.ro on July 1, 2025, is a strategic response to the aging of the current reservists and the evolving politics of war-and-conflicts in Europe, most notably emphasized by the Ukraine conflict. This move aligns with general news of other European countries increasing their military personnel numbers through voluntary service expansions or renewed debates over conscription. However, details about the timeline for the expansion of the military base, the impact on employment opportunities within the Romanian Army, the role of fixed-term volunteers in the expansion, or any changes to the National Defense Law regarding the expansion remain undisclosed.
