Shoigu suggests that people wanting alternative service be sent to army, fleet
MOSCOW. May 22 (Interfax-AVN) - Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu on Wednesday told parliamentarians about the combat potential of the army and the fleet and addressed some issues relating to the shortage of military specialists and conscription for military service, State Duma deputy Anatoly Lokot told Interfax-AVN.
Lokot said the minister has asked the State Duma to back some bills dealing with conscription and suggested that people who wish to undergo alternative civil service be sent directly to the army and the fleet.
"Specifically, the minister suggested that people who wish to undergo alternative civil service be sent to the army and the fleet, where they will fulfill duties unrelated to weapons and military equipment, instead of being sent to hospitals and factories," Lokot said.
"The closure by former Defense Minister Anatoly Serdyukov of some military universities created a shortage of military specialists," Lokot said, citing Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu.
Lokot also said the defense minister said warrant officers and midshipmen should be conscripted for military service. "It is very important that the minister spoke about the restoration of the institution of warrant officers and midshipmen in the Armed Forces," he said.