New 'National Guard Supporter' Status Backed by Saeima

The aim of the amendments is to strengthen the capacity of the National Guard, improve the quality of personnel selection, and ensure the sustainability of the service, while simultaneously expanding public involvement in national defence. The status of a 'National Guard supporter' will provide an opportunity to provide support to the National Guard for those people who cannot physically serve due to their health or age, but who want to contribute with their knowledge and skills. It is planned that Latvian citizens over the age of 18 will be able to do this. It is also planned to determine security and reputational requirements for such supporters, the procedure for involvement in unit training and task performance, as well as social and material support conditions. The proposed changes to the law – which still need to go through second and third readings in Saeima – provide that educational institutions and employers will be able to exempt National Guardsmen from training and work duties for up to one and a half years, not only in the case of participation in international operations and rapid reaction forces, but also for participation in training prior to such assignments. The draft law also provides for the possibility of determining partial compensation in cases where the death or health damage of a national guard occurred during service, but is not related to the direct performance of tasks or malfeasance. It is planned that in the future, the National Guard will also be able to recruit soldiers from the national defense service (compulsory military service) and reserve. It is also planned that Latvian citizens who serve in internal affairs institutions (such as police, prison officers and security services) will also be able to be recruited into the National Guard, as the law currently prohibits this.