41 WHITE 4.3. Personnel of the Lithuanian Armed Forces Properly prepared, equipped and motivated troops are one of the most essential components of any military power. The increase of personnel, sufficient manning of units and effective combat training are the main priority directions of the LAF development. The primary increase in personnel is planned within the Land Forces, with existing and newly established units to be manned up to 75-90%. These personnel numbers are necessary to conduct effective collective training and prepare for all foreseen operational tasks. Professional military servicemen, who chose military service as a profession, form the core of the LAF. They are the best trained and have the most opportunities for career advancement and military occupation specialisation. For a long time, the number of professional military servicemen 5 000 5 100 5 200 5 300 5 400 5 000 4 578 4 456 4637 3 000 3 010 LAF personnel 2014-2022 m. 7 890 8 146 3 500 10 000 4 000 4 000 ? ? 10 920 11 410 110910 10 440 2018 2019 2020 2021 ? 12 410 8 661 Professional military servicemen 9 months conscripts Volunteer soldiers 2014 2015 2016 2017 2022 was around 8,000; however, a substantial growth of this core group is foreseen in future personnel development plans. Mandatory Military Service allows for a larger share of the population to perform their military duty and acquire initial military training. Currently, young men and women can fulfil their Mandatory Military Service in two ways: as a conscript for 9 months or by participating in the Junior Officers’ Commander training course. Presently, plans are in place to call up about 4,000 conscripts each year during 2018-2019. The future number of conscripts will depend on which conscription model is chosen and the capacities of the LAF in terms of logistics, infrastructure and training personnel. Currently, conscripts are called up according to a randomly computer generated list compiled annually, and composed of 19-26 year old men. However, both men and women are encouraged to sign up voluntarily. All conscripts receive a monthly allowance of €140 euros for personal expenses. Additionally, and after completion of service, each conscript receives an accumulative payment, whose size depends on the evaluation of their time in service as well as on whether a conscript signed up voluntarily. PA P E R