Romania may reinstate mandatory military service if volunteer program fails, warns general

Romania faces a potential return to mandatory military service as a new volunteer program for 3,500 soldiers is set to be tested in 2026. Retired NATO General Virgil Bălăceanu warns that the program's failure could compel the political class to reinstate conscription.

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If this test fails, the political class must decide.

Bălăceanu highlighted that the reintroduction of mandatory service hinges on the success of the new volunteer initiative. He explained that if young Romanians refuse voluntary recruitment, politicians will be obligated to vote for mandatory military service. This measure is considered necessary due to a critical aging of the military reserve, which has experienced difficulties for the past two years.

The general noted that while recruitment for military academies and professional soldier positions remains relatively high, certain technical fields, such as master sergeants, struggle to attract enough candidates. He suggested that sociological studies are needed to understand and address these recruitment challenges, emphasizing that involving military units directly in the recruitment process has significantly improved both the number and quality of candidates in the past.

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If young people refuse voluntary recruitment, the political class will be forced to vote for mandatory army service.

The reserve force is identified as a major challenge, with the voluntary reservist law not being implemented for two years. When previously applied, it saw strong interest, with several candidates per officer position, though fewer for master sergeants and non-commissioned officers. The current situation underscores a pressing need to address military recruitment and reserve strength amidst a complex global and regional security landscape.

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The challenge is the reserve of the Romanian Army. I can say this because for two years there have been problems in this regard.