New Capabilities in the HDF

The Minister noted that after the change of government, the development of the volunteer reserve system of the Hungarian Defence Forces gained a new impetus. Based on the Parliament’s decision that allows the admission of at most 8,000 reservists, the creation of a system has begun, which is more differentiated than the former concepts and will become more efficient once it is fully set up.

“We took the first great step forward in January 2011, when some 2,000 volunteer defence reservists took over the guard and security duties at the military installations and barracks. As of January 1, 2012 the development of the volunteer reserve system enters a new phase. From that point on, the admission procedure begins for the personnel to be trained for non-security-related duties", Dr. Csaba Hende said.

From January 1 on, we are waiting for all patriots – men and women – to apply who are over 18 years of age, have a clean record and meet the medical requirements", Csaba Hende announced. The Minister stressed that initially all applicants are to sign a fixed-term (eight-month) contract, which includes a six-month period of probation. Subsequently the contracts will be finalized. In concluding the contract, the interest of the armed forces takes precedence, which means that only those can enter the system who possess some capabilities that the Hungarian Defence Forces can make use of. Every three years the volunteer reservists can be called up to serve for six months.

“Those volunteer reservists who have not done any military service before will receive both basic and trade training. However, as we intend to reinforce the Hungarian Defence Forces with a real military capability, we prefer to admit those ex-servicemen who meet all the requirements, being fully trained soldiers, because it is in our interest to have the best-trained reservists at the lowest cost in the shortest time possible", Csaba Hende added.

All people signing on with the Hungarian Defence Forces to serve as volunteer reservists are exempt from paying the 16 per cent personal income tax on the service remuneration that replaces the service pension from January 2012. During their actual service, the reservists will receive the remuneration due to the enlisted personnel in identical positions together with the allowances in kind, including e.g. food and travel reimbursement. They receive a so-called availability fee whenever they are not on active duty but are nevertheless ready to be called up in the interest of the country. Of course, the employers are to receive a certain amount of compensation because they must replace the workforce during the time of military service.

Answering a question from the press, the Minister said that the reservists’ rank insignia will be easily distinguishable from that of the enlisted and professional personnel. He also stressed he was sure that there would be more applications than the 6,000 positions available, so they must select the most excellent and dedicated ones. Answering another question, he told the press that the Ministry of Defence had allocated HUF 1.2 billion in the 2012 defence budget for the development of the volunteer reserve system.