Mandatory Military Service: Austria's Duration And Commitment

In Austria, men are required to serve in the military for six months, followed by a period of refresher training in the reserves. This period of training was reduced from 20 years to 10 years in the early 1990s. In addition to military service, Austrian men can also choose to perform nine months of civil service, which involves working in social services such as hospitals, youth organisations, and rescue services.

Austrian soldiers are active in peacekeeping missions and natural disaster relief

Since 1960, more than 100,000 Austrian soldiers and civilian helpers have served in over 100 international peace support and humanitarian missions. Austrian soldiers are currently deployed in 16 different foreign missions to ensure stability in Europe, Africa, the Middle East, and the Caucasus region.

Austrian soldiers have been involved in a long-lasting and still ongoing engagement in peace support activities since 1960, when they deployed a medical unit to the Republic of Congo. This was the first of many Austrian peace support missions. In 1997, the Federal Constitutional Act on Cooperation and Solidarity in Deploying Units and Individuals Abroad was adopted, providing the constitutional basis for the participation of Austrians in UN operations.

Austrian soldiers are also involved in classic peace missions, humanitarian disaster relief missions, and the protection of the civilian population in conflict areas, especially women and children. Austrian peacekeeping contingents are on average composed of 60 per cent soldiers on active duty and 40 per cent reservists. The Austrian Land Forces are the main force provider and they generally prepare units for missions abroad. To increase operational readiness, Austria has invented the FIOP system, which stands for "Forces for International Operations".

Austrian men must choose between six months of military service or nine months of civil service

The length of military service in Austria has changed over time. Until 1971, Austrian men were required to serve nine months in the armed forces. This was then reduced to six months, with an additional sixty days of refresher training in the reserves. In 2004, a reform commission recommended that the term of military service be reduced to six months, which is the length of service that is currently in place.

Austrian males were obligated to serve nine months in the armed forces until 1971

Austrian men who have just left high school must choose between six months of military service or nine months of civil service. More than 40% of drafted male citizens in Austria choose the latter option by declaring a conflict of conscience. This generally involves work in social services like hospitals, youth organisations, nursing homes, rescue services, emergency medical services, and care of the disabled. There is no conscription for women, therefore women are not obliged to serve.

In 2004, the term of military service was reduced to six months

In Austria, men are required to serve in the military. In 2004, the term of military service was reduced to six months, as recommended by a reform commission. This was a reduction from the previous nine-month period of initial service, which had been in place since 1971. The reduction in the length of service was part of a plan to reduce the mobilisation strength of the army to 120,000.

Austrian men who have just left high school must choose between six months of military service or nine months of civil service. This civil service generally involves work in social services, such as hospitals, youth organisations, nursing homes, rescue services, emergency medical services, and care of the disabled. More than 40% of drafted male citizens in Austria choose this option.

Unlike countries with conscription such as Israel, Austria is both neutral and landlocked. Therefore, instead of training for war, Austrian soldiers are often active in peacekeeping missions and natural disaster relief. For example, during his service, Tobias Birsak was deployed to the Austrian-Hungarian border to assist the Austrian police in its border protection capacity. However, he admits he mostly did office work.

About 40% of drafted male citizens in Austria choose to do civil service

In Austria, men are required to serve six months in the armed forces, followed by a total of sixty days of refresher training in the reserves. This is a reduction from the previous requirement of nine months of initial service. About 40% of drafted male citizens in Austria choose to do civil service instead of military service. This involves work in social services like hospitals, youth organisations, nursing homes, rescue services, emergency medical services, and care of the disabled. The service usually lasts nine months. This option is chosen by declaring a conflict of conscience. There is no conscription for women, therefore women are not obliged to serve.

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