66 MPs voted in favor of the law, and five abstained. Coming into force in January, the law stipulates that the marginal number of troops for the period will be 14,130-16,945, compared to 13,880-16,625 in 2012.
This year, the Lithuanian army plans to invite more university students to take the commander and junior staff officer course, and also reduce slightly the number of senior staff officers in the armed forces.
The law stipulates that 150 more people will be invited to take the staff officer course next year, and the number of trainees will increase from 200-280 to 350-410.
According to the Ministry of National Defense, a slightly higher number of reserve troops who have undergone the compulsory basic military service will be invited to undergo repeated training.
The number of senior staff officers will be reduced next year, pursuant to the law. The number of lieutenant colonels will drop from 127 in 2012 to 125, and the number of majors and commandoes will be reduced from 375 in 2012 to 370. Meanwhile the number of generals, admirals, colonels, and sea captains will remain unchanged next year.
