Volunteer Certification System for Military Personnel Fully Adopted

The National Assembly has fully adopted the project for the establishment of a voluntary certification system for contract servicemen at its second reading. A total of 65 deputies voted in favor, 26 abstained, and none voted against.

The Ministry of Defense had proposed to establish a bonus for contract servicemen who undergo voluntary certification. The draft aims to enhance the appeal and interest in contract military service by providing bonuses to servicemen who hold positions directly involved in the implementation, planning, or supervision of combat tasks.

According to the draft, to calculate the bonus, contract servicemen currently occupying positions with such functions will participate in the voluntary certification process. Additionally, servicemen holding the respective posts for the first time or re-enlisted from reserve will be subject to certification no earlier than three months after taking the position and no later than by the end of the fourth month.

If servicemen gain the right to receive bonuses based on the certification results, the bonuses will be calculated from the date of their appointment. Servicemen who do not acquire the right to a bonus through the first certification can apply for re-certification no more than twice a year. Should they gain the right to a bonus after the re-certification, the bonus will be calculated from the date the right is acquired.

Moreover, contract servicemen who already receive bonuses for their positions will be subject to certification every three years to continue receiving the bonus.

During a government session, Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan announced that the salary of contract servicemen who undergo voluntary certification will be doubled.