How to act in extreme situations or instances of war

Dates

2015 - 2015
Author

Mattia Vacca
Topics Contemporary Issues, Documentary, War & Conflicts

The aggressive Russian stances towards the Baltic States and the military activity within the bordering Russian enclave of Kaliningrad, has recently prompted the Lithuanian army to resume military conscription.Lithuania will train military personnel starting in September 2015, enlisting 3,000 people

The aggressive Russian stances towards the Baltic States — former Soviet properties that are now members of both NATO and the European Union — and the military activity within the bordering Russian enclave of Kaliningrad, has recently prompted the Lithuanian army to resume military conscription. The ultimate goal is building an operational self-defence force if a Russian aggression becomes reality. Lithuania will recruit and train military personnel for the next five years starting in September 2015, enlisting 3,000 people, aged 19 to 27. The great majority of them -about 2,600 recruits- have joined voluntarily.

© Mattia Vacca - Image from the How to act in extreme situations or instances of war photography project

Young recruits train in the forests in Central Lithuania. A great number of reservists participate in in-the-field training session over the weekend, only to resume their ordinary lives during the rest of the week .

Soldiers marching inside Rukla’s base.

Rehearsal ahead of the parade marking the moment when young recruits will pledge their loyalty to the Lithuanian army, in Klaipeda’s military base. Out of 3,000 new recruits, the great majority (almost 2,600) are volunteers.

Soldiers raise the Lithuanian flag inside Rukla’s base.

Cadets in their dormitory, inside their base in Klaipeda.

The gym of Klaipeda’s military base during the first week of training. Cadets watch a video of fierce fighting between pro-Russian rebels and the Ukrainian Army in the Donbass region, South-Eastern Ukraine.

Two soldiers inspect each other's uniform before the first official parade at the military base in Rukla.

Soldiers play basketball inside the military encampment of Rukla’s military base. In Lithuania, Basket is incredibly popular.

Policemen inside Rukla’s base. From September 2015, Lithuanian police officers and firefighters are required to receive a month of military training to operate.

An officer awards diplomas to young police cadets on the last day of training. From September 2015, police officers and firefighters are required to receive a month of military training to operate.