Czechia may need to bring back military service, says army chief

Czechia ended compulsory military service two decades ago. Now, however, the head of the country’s army, Karel Řehka, says it may be necessary to bring it back – otherwise the state could have insufficient military reserves in future.

Military service was part of life in this part of the world from the Austro-Hungarian Empire on. Under communism it was typically for two years, and young soldiers were often sent to the opposite ends of Czechoslovakia from their homes.

In 1993 national service was cut to one year, before being abolished completely 11 years later. The Czech Army has been fully professional since 2005.

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Authors: Ian Willoughby, Kateřina Gruntová