For 20 years, the Federal Army has been working to strengthen and improve the tasks and importance of militiamen. In addition to measures to better combine work and militia duties, there are also financial incentives and numerous organizational improvements. The aim is to inspire men and women to serve as citizens in uniform in order to make a significant contribution to Austria’s security. The Federal Army, including the militia, has around 55,000 soldiers during a mobilization.
“The militia is an essential part of the Austrian Armed Forces, so it is important that we take many effective measures to strengthen the militia and its soldiers. As citizens in uniform, they make a significant contribution to anchoring the armed forces in Austrian society. Through the initiatives we have taken, we have already been able to increase the number of militia conscripts with permanent orders despite the decline in the number of soldiers in basic military service over the last few years. This shows that we are on the right path. With their flexibility and commitment, our militiamen are available around the clock to ensure our security, be it in dealing with crises or providing support in critical situations,” said Defense Minister Klaudia Tanner.
Measures to strengthen the militia
In order to reconcile work and militia duties, the Federal Army, for example, introduced that militiamen should, if possible, be assigned to the region where their respective “military homeland” is located. An “education check”, for example, represents additional financial incentives: for each day of a militia exercise carried out, this is saved and paid out upon request for the purposes of professional training measures. Particularly committed militia members have the opportunity to serve in the reaction militia. These are specialists who are ready to help Austria in critical situations within 48 to 72 hours. Without any significant preparation, they are ready for use throughout Austria in the event of natural disasters, relief operations or border area surveillance. The reaction militia therefore has an increased level of readiness. The soldiers’ functions and areas are diverse: they range from IT experts, drivers, radio operators to paramedics or infantrymen. Members of the reaction militia receive an annual recognition bonus of 6,000 euros. Reaction militia soldiers take part in militia exercises several times a year. If militia soldiers recruit other militiamen for the reaction militia, they receive a bonus of 250 euros.
There are particularly attractive earning opportunities for militia soldiers if they can volunteer for basic military service for an assistance mission, for example to monitor the borders, and earn 3,630 euros.
The financial incentive to qualify as a militia officer or militia sergeant and to successfully complete the training in a short time has been significantly increased. The incentive can be up to 6,000 euros.
Further training, militia information and militia contact points
For further training, militia members have access to a wide range of courses that are tailored specifically to the professional world in terms of time and organization – some of which are also distance learning in a workplace-friendly manner. If desired, the Federal Army will issue a militia soldier with his or her own individual competency report. Young militia officers can also take part in international conferences and develop their foreign language skills there.
Regular surveys of militiamen by the armed forces show that citizens in uniform have a great need for information. Therefore, they can find out more and make inquiries, for example, in the magazine “Militia Info”, in the battalion’s troop newspapers, online on the new “Militia” website, on the “Militia Careers Page” and via the “Militia Information Module”. There is also the possibility to get actively involved in a personal conversation with the Militia Jour Fixe or to contact the “Militia Service Center” or the “Militia Commissioner”, Major General Erwin Hameseder, at a low threshold. A militia brochure informs employers. Every militia member also has a responsible contact person in their area.
Militia is valued
Volunteering is particularly important in the militia. In addition to various bonuses and the introduced militia medal, this is particularly valued on “Militia Day”. Companies that have made a special commitment to supporting militia soldiers are awarded the “Militia Award” or receive the “Militia Seal of Approval” from the Federal Army. Every year, “Day in Uniform” makes militiamen visible at their workplaces.