WHITE 42 PA P E R Incentive payment increase +30 % Accumulative payment after completion and evaluation of time in service If sign up on voluntary basis From 76 EUR/ month +15 % If sign up on voluntary basis already being on the list Allowance for personal expenses to 152 EUR/ month 140 EUR/month Payment to 9 months conscripts 180.000 160.000 Demographic trends in the age group of 19-26 year old 140.000 120.000 100.000 2014 2016 2018 2020 2022 2026 2028 2030 2032 Total 19-26 year old Conscripts not only significantly augment the LAF’s structure (20% of all the LAF) but also constitute a manning source for the professional military service as it is planned that about 15-20% of all conscripts will stay in the LAF as professionals. Mandatory Military Service can also be accomplished by enrolling into a Junior Officers’ Commander training course. It is an opportunity for students and graduates of higher education institutions to acquire a reserve lieutenant’s rank during a period of three years. Students learn military theory during weekends and apply it in practice during field exercises which are organised during summer vacations and lasts about two weeks. Volunteer soldiers serving in the National Defence Volunteer Forces (NDVF) are an important part of the LAF, which constitutes about 25-30% of all personnel. Volunteer soldiers participate in international operations, assist civilian institutions during natural disasters and catastrophes, and in the case of a threat against Lithuania, are prepared to perform territorial defence tasks and support Allied forces. Service in the NDVF is not permanent but is designed as much as possible around the volunteer’s civilian job duties or students’ studies. It is a flexible way for Lithuanian citizens to participate in national defence.