In recent years, the militia has gained in importance and acceptance among the population. Active militia soldiers are sought and needed, especially in challenging times in terms of security policy. The award for the best recruiters of militia soldiers in 2019 was recently presented to military associations. For the second year in a row, the winning trophy was presented to the Styrian Jägerbataillon 17 from Straß.
Militia soldiers are men and women who have completed their basic military service or training service and continue to perform a task in the operational organization of the armed forces. As officers, non-commissioned officers or even as enlisted men, they are an integral part of the military system. Through their military commitment away from their professional and private lives, they make a significant contribution to anchoring the armed forces in Austrian society. Many of the armed forces’ missions would be difficult to carry out without the militia, and in some cases militia soldiers even make up the majority of personnel deployed abroad. Members of the militia also take on operational tasks at home, for example in relief operations.
