Medical exams to kickstart basic military training

The Ministry of Defense will send out summonses on the 29th and 30th of this month to between 1,200 and 1,300 young Croatians born in 2007 for medical examinations.

These exams are part of the government’s reintroduction of mandatory basic military training, a program aimed at strengthening national defense and familiarizing young citizens with military service. The medical checks will be held at the end of January at military health centers in Zagreb and Split, with transportation provided for recruits coming from other cities.

Once their physical fitness has been assessed, those who qualify as conscientious objectors will have the opportunity to apply for alternative civilian service instead of military training. The first groups of conscripts are expected to begin training in early March at barracks in Slunj, Požega, and Knin.

The reintroduction of mandatory training reflects Croatia’s efforts to maintain a ready and capable defense force, while also instilling a sense of civic responsibility among young citizens. Similar programs in the past have combined physical training with lessons in national history, civil defense, and basic first aid.

The Ministry of Defense has emphasized that participation is compulsory. Anyone who fails to respond to a properly delivered summons will face misdemeanor fines ranging from 500 to 5,000 euros.

This marks the first large-scale call-up of conscripts under the new system, and officials say it is part of a broader initiative to ensure Croatia’s armed forces remain well-prepared in an increasingly complex security environment.