28 February, Minsk /BELTA correspondent/. The conscription for active military service has begun in Belarus, BELTA was informed by the press service of the Ministry of Defence. The conscription of citizens for active military service commenced in accordance with Decree No. 46 of 7 February 2012. Whereas previously conscription activities were carried out in April-July and October-January, since 2011 they have been rescheduled to February-May and August-November. Thus, the current conscription of citizens for active military service will be carried out in February - May of this year. Currently, the formation of units and military units is being planned, and study, selection, and dispatch plans for citizens for active military service are being developed. The selection of citizens at military commissariats will take place from 28 March to 11 May. The dispatch of those conscripted for active military service will take place from 15 to 29 May. A total of approximately 10,000 individuals are planned to be sent to units and military units of the Armed Forces, other troops and military formations for active military service. Conscription for reserve service will not be carried out in February-May of this year. In accordance with the Law of Belarus "On Military Duty and Military Service", the following terms of military service are established for citizens undergoing conscription for active military service: 18 months for those without higher education, 12 months for those with higher education, and 6 months for those who have undergone training at military faculties or departments under junior commander training programmes and have passed the examinations stipulated by the training programmes. The Ministry of Defence believes that these terms are fully sufficient to provide the necessary training for those conscripted for active military service. Furthermore, the law on military service defines the category of citizens who are granted deferments from conscription for active military service. As a rule, the largest number of deferments from conscription are granted for educational purposes.-0-

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