Mandatory Gun Training for High School Students in Latvia Amid Ongoing Conflict
In response to the ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine, high school students in Latvia are now required to learn how to use firearms.
Latvia, a NATO member bordering Russia, has been on heightened alert since the invasion of Ukraine by Russian President Vladimir Putin in February 2022. The country has a conscription system that mandates military service for young citizens, with a draft lottery in place for times when volunteers are insufficient. Additionally, students are obligated to undergo firearm training.
Colonel Valts Aboris, a military officer overseeing the national education program, shared that the objective of this initiative is “not to train soldiers, but to cultivate more responsible citizens.” He emphasized a desire to reduce the fear that many youths and their parents feel around military topics.
According to reports, students in Latvia and neighboring Estonia are participating in “national defense education.” This training covers not only firearms handling but also includes first aid, land navigation, military drills, and history.
However, the requirements in Latvia are substantially more rigorous compared to Estonia. While Latvia mandates 112 hours of training over two years, Estonia requires only 35 hours of classroom instruction.
Importantly, this program is inclusive; both boys and girls must participate equally.
Sindiya Burakowska, an 18-year-old featured in a report, expressed that while she feels apprehensive about the training, she believes it is a sensible requirement given the current circumstances.
Lecturer Andris Skanis noted that many young Latvians, including his own daughter, identify as pacifists. He remarked, “My 19-year-old son is a pacifist,” adding that his daughter often associates his military service with being away from home during her childhood.
Yet, Skanis clarified that true pacifists and those with religious exemptions are not compelled to handle weapons. Instead, they can opt to watch presentations in the classroom.
He further stated, “If there is a war in Latvia, we all need to be ready. Some people claim they’ll leave, but realistically, those flights may not even take off.”
