1,700 men and 10 women begin conscription service
Around 1,700 young men will begin the mandatory 11-month conscription service at the beginning of next week. They are joined by ten women, who have signed voluntarily.
Conscripts in Estonia serve between 8-11 months, but the new group will all spend 11 months in the service, specializing as drivers, NCOs, reserve platoon leaders and other specialists.
Women have been allowed to join the conscription service since 2013.
Conscripts are called up three times each year, in January, July and October. Those who complete the service will remain in the reserve forces until the age of 60, unless they become professional soldiers or join the Defense League, Estonia's home guard.
Editor: J.M. Laats