Estonia’s call-up selectees are in poor health, and about half who fail pre-conscription screening have mental health issues, the Defense Resources Agency (KRA) says.<\/p>\n
KRA director general Anu Rannaveski told the magazine S\u00f5dur<\/a> that only about half of all call-up selectees immediately pass the health assessment and meet the requirements to serve safely in the Estonian Defense Forces (EDF).<\/p>\n “Not exactly praiseworthy,” she said.<\/p>\n Another quarter of selectees are automatically considered unfit for conscription, Rannaveski continued, while the rest are assessed on a case-by-case basis. KRA officials may grant some an extension for treatment before deciding whether they ultimately meet the criteria or not.<\/p>\n The agency chief said that of those who fail, roughly half have psychiatric or behavioral issues, including adjustment and anxiety disorders, and depression.<\/p>\n She noted that the Estonian Defense Forces (EDF) does accept some call-up selectees with milder conditions that respond well to treatment, offering support through EDF social workers and psychologists.<\/p>\n “The biggest concern, however, is young men’s and reservists’ health,” Rannaveski said. She noted that only about one in three young people pass physical fitness tests when entering conscription service.<\/p>\n “This is a bigger problem for both the EDF in general and society at large,” she added.<\/p>\n ‘If you can manage everyday life, you can serve’<\/strong><\/p>\n The agency updates its health requirements almost yearly to reflect medical advances. “If you can manage your everyday life, you can handle conscription,” Rannaveski said.<\/p>\n The KRA chief also outlined plans for 2026, when conscription will include a sort of gap year. Only about 1,200 conscripts will enter service this year, compared with the usual 4,000.<\/p>\n The timing will change too \u2014 new conscripts will join only twice a year, in summer and winter, instead of the previous January, July and October.<\/p>\n The Ministry of Defense recently proposed pushing conscription deadlines back by five weeks to better accommodate students. Under the change, conscripts would start service in mid-February and mid-August.<\/p>\n —<\/p>\n Follow ERR News on Facebook<\/a> and X<\/a> and never miss an update!<\/p>\n