More and more young people are thinking about applying their abilities in military service under a contract. Is it possible to trust a modern military structure based on contractual principles? In our article we will analyze the conditions of contract service, identify its main disadvantages and advantages. Finally, an answer will be provided to the main question: is it worth going to the army on a contract or is there no sense in this?
Definition of a concept in general
An extensive legal description of contract military service is given in article 38 of the Federal Law "On the contract system in the field of state and municipal needs." It says that the creation of contracted professional units is allowed only to certain customers. A prerequisite for them is the presence of an annual volume of purchases in excess of one hundred million rubles. As you might guess, the customer in the case of the military sphere is the state.
The state also appoints its contract manager. He exercises a number of important powers, such as the development of a procurement plan, the creation of an information schedule, the preparation and placement in the information system of a number of notifications on the implementation of contracts, consultations with contractors and contractors, as well as the exercise of other legal powers.
Another definition of contract service can be found in the explanatory dictionaries. One of the volumes states that the state contract system is a set of organizations that implement the formation of orders for goods or services for the needs of the state. This happens through the selection of performers and the preparation of relevant documentation.
So, contract service in the Russian army is a military activity of Russian and, in some cases, foreign citizens, carried out on a voluntary basis for a set fee.
Conclusion of a contract without military service
Any military service is interpreted by modern society as a fairly prestigious and highly paid occupation. Employees are offered a stable salary, a full social package, various incentives, benefits and cash preferences. And therefore it is not surprising that a fairly large number of young people are eager to conclude an agreement with the state. But an urgent question arises: is it possible to join the army under a contract without military service?
In 2017, the Supreme Commander of the Russian Armed Forces signed a decree according to which one year of military service can be replaced by two years of voluntary military service, carried out on a contract basis. So, citizens were given the right to choose. From now on, a young man can independently decide where he should pay his debt to his homeland: on the classic “term”, where the imperative management system with subsidized incentives predominates, or on the contract service, which can be confidently called work with monetary allowance.
The question of whether to join the army on a contract basis is decided only by the young compatriots themselves. Of course, the contractual system of military service is more expensive, better and more prestigious. But its duration exceeds the term of the classic "term" twice. If the choice nevertheless fell to join the army on a contract basis, then first you should visit the local recruiting office. There you can always consult about the available vacancies and nuances.
Subject to all conditions, a letter of recommendation will be submitted to the local commissariat. Next, a medical commission awaits the citizen, a check for the absence of a criminal conviction and the choice of the start date for the service. If all the indicators comply with the norm, a military ID will be issued and an appropriate contract will be concluded. Further, the citizen will be required to show all his physical and personal qualities from the best side.
What is the impact of education?
Persons who have completed a secondary vocational educational institution, or even a university at all, often think about whether to join the army on a contract basis. The thing is that the possibility of replacing the urgent army contract service is provided only to persons who have a certificate and diploma in their hands.
Citizens going to the military sphere under the agreement will be offered the replacement of certain posts - like a warrant officer or sergeant. But before that, the command should consider the rookie's physical, psychological, and especially leadership qualities.
Persons with higher education in the military commissariats receive with great pleasure. After all, serious serious adults already come to the service, who know firsthand about the possible hardships and problems of training. Competent technical experts are especially valued in the army. Such contractors will be offered jobs as masters, flight technicians, designers, etc. Due to the high level of education, a person will soon pass adaptation, and therefore quickly learn to solve various problems.
So, is it worth it to serve in the army on a contract basis? As you know, most of the military departments of universities are already liquidated or are at the closing stage. If a person is not attracted to the civilian sphere, he has nowhere to be realized, or he simply wants to serve the country's good, then drawing up a contract with the army is the best choice. It is impossible to do without a medical board and physical training. But upon entering the service a person with higher education will soon be awarded a prestigious title - for example, a lieutenant. This concludes the main advantages of contract military service.
Conscript service in the army for people with higher education is carried out in the usual manner. A citizen comes to the military registration and enlistment office by registration, then learns about specialties in the military sphere on urgent conditions. Military service without a contract will take only a year.
Types and terms of contracts
Upon initial admission with a citizen, the first version of the contract is drawn up. This is a document that is relevant for persons who have not previously been in the state military structure on a contract basis. Over time, an acting person can be transferred from the federal executive system to the Ministry of Defense. Military service will be temporarily suspended for a new treaty.
The question of how much the contract goes in the army does not affect the constant re-issuance of relevant documentation. Despite the total duration of professional service of two years, work involves regular conclusion of new short-term contracts. This may be due to transfers, changes in conditions of service, promotion, and finally, simple emergencies. Fulfillment of one-time tasks during large-scale government events, natural disasters or restoration of peace in the country may be accompanied by constant re-execution of contracts.
Everything is a little different with employees who are trained in institutions of secondary, professional or higher military education. Together with doctoral studies or adjunct studies, primary contracts will be concluded every five years.
Army contract conditions
The basic conditions prescribed in the contractual contract of a serviceman include the following:
- citizen's duty to be in military service for a period strictly specified by the contract;
- Unquestioning compliance with the points of the job description, regulated by legislative and other regulatory documents;
- obtaining the right to benefits, compensation and guarantees, as well as the observance of their own rights and the rights of their family members.
Also in the contract there is a procedure for the appropriation and removal of new posts and ranks. At the same time, the dates and goals necessary to achieve a particular rank are indicated. Promotion of a soldier in a kind of career ladder is an essential condition for contract service in the army.
Applicants for contracted military service are subject to certain requirements. Firstly, it is fluency in the state language. Secondly, the presence of an expert medical report on the suitability of a citizen to perform military service. Particular attention is paid to psychological selection. Specialists make, in fact, a decisive conclusion on the suitability of a person to perform professional duties. If all the requirements are met, then the army will replenish with a new composition of employees.
Admission to contract service
Having dealt with the question of whether to join the army on a contract basis, a citizen draws up a statement. In it, he indicates the following information about himself:
- F. I. O., place of residence and date of birth;
- the name of the authority with which the conclusion of the contract occurs;
- duration of service (this item is more likely to be speculative).
Application for admission is not the only document. Together with him it is necessary to collect a whole package of papers, which should include:
- identity document and place of registration;
- completed and signed application form issued by medical specialists;
- short autobiography in any form;
- certified copies of the work book or documents confirming the availability of education;
- if available, marriage and child birth certificates.
For a number of reasons, a citizen may be denied contractual employment. Among the reasons for this may be:
- Non-compliance of the citizen with the stated requirements. Simply put, it may not be suitable for health, physical or psychological indicators.
- The presence of a judicial decision on a temporary or complete prohibition on filling positions in the military sphere.
- Serving of punishment in places of deprivation or restriction of freedom, presence of outstanding conviction.
- Lack of vacant posts or specialties (which happens very rarely).
- Negative decision based on the results of the competition. Sometimes management may reject a citizen's candidacy without giving reasons. And this will not be considered illegal, unlike similar situations in the civilian sphere.
Any citizen who was denied admission to military service can challenge his right in a higher army body, court or prosecutor.
Little is known for the little secret that joining the contract after the army is much easier than after college or university. Representatives of the military structure give priority to those who have already "sniffed gunpowder" and are approximately acquainted with the structure of the army.
Early departure from service
Separately, we should talk about the early termination of the contract. With contractors, you can break off relations in the following cases:
- detection of significant, gross or regular misconduct;
- failure to comply with the terms of the contract or items related job description;
- carrying out organizational and staffing events, during which there is a reduction in employed persons;
- transition to service in the executive system of power: the Ministry of Internal Affairs, regional government authorities, etc .;
- detection of serious physical or mental health problems;
- leaving the service for family reasons;
- the need for regular care for relatives in need of care due to health reasons;
- caring for a child under the age of majority brought up without another parent;
- obtaining the mandate of a deputy;
- conviction;
- empowering a contractor with the authority of a senior public official.
Thus, contract service after an army or civic education is strikingly different from all other professional areas. The conditions here are quite strict and stringent. The system itself requires special focus and clear implementation of all assigned duties.
Payment service and social package
Having dealt with the question of whether it is possible after the army to go on a contract or not, we should move on to a topic that is more relevant and deep - namely, to pay for the service. As of 2018, there are two legislative acts establishing the amount and types of monetary allowances due to contract servicemen in the RF Armed Forces. This is the Federal Law of 2011 “On monetary allowance for the military” and the Government Decree of the same year “On the establishment of a monetary salary for military personnel”.
The basic salary under the contract consists of two parts:
- salary by position;
- salary by rank.
The monthly allowances are added to the main allowance:
- for qualifications;
- annual length of service;
- risk to life and health;
- military service conditions;
- work with classified information;
- level of physical fitness;
- for achievements in the army service;
- for knowledge of foreign languages.
If a military man copes with the duties assigned to him, then bonuses will be added to the base and additional payments. An approximate table of full wages is as follows:
- shooter or private with a length of service of more than 2 years - 17,400 rubles;
- Junior sergeant 3 classes with a length of service from 2 to 5 years - 33 thousand rubles;
- sergeant of the 2nd class with a length of service from 5 to 10 years - 42 thousand rubles;
- Senior sergeant with a length of service from 10 to 15 years - 49 thousand rubles;
- platoon commander with a length of service from 15 to 20 years - 55 thousand rubles;
- platoon commander with a length of service of more than 25 years - 58 thousand rubles.
The above earnings are minimal. With additional incentives and bonuses, the income of each soldier will increase by 30-40%.
The social package for military personnel provides a wide range of various benefits. These include:
- free medical care;
- availability of office housing;
- retirement after 20 years of service - that is, at about 45 years of age;
- benefits for admission to educational institutions;
- provision of form and food;
- life and health insurance;
- free travel (only in some regions of the country).
It would seem that the advantages of military service under the contract are undeniable. But are they so obvious? Unfortunately, many advantages overlap with some problems.
The benefits of contract military service
It is not so difficult to focus on the positive aspects of the professional activity under consideration. For most citizens, military service is primarily a good income and a prestigious position. But this advantage is somewhat subjective, because financial allowance has certain limits, which can not be said about any type of earnings on the so-called citizen. Prestige also wanes over time. This is due to the emerging pacifist moods and the increasing isolation of Russia on the world stage.
The next advantage is a wide social package. It includes numerous benefits that are unlikely to be provided for a simple citizen. Again, only those people who couldn’t settle down well in a civilian environment will take it for dignity. Therefore, here we can repeat the thesis of subjectivity.
Disadvantages of contract military service
In contrast to the advantages, the problems of the professional sphere under consideration are undeniable and objective. The obvious minus is the soldier's risk of health and life. Many people recall this shortcoming only at the outbreak of direct hostilities.
The second drawback is related to the restriction of freedom and personal space. Permanent submissions, the inability to visit many countries of the world, life according to the charter, wearing a certain form, clearly defined earnings, lack of personal time, living in the field, forced business trips, and most importantly - the need to comply with any order of the command, sometimes even contrary to the moral principles of the employee. All this scares away many people, as a result of which they give priority to self-realization in the civil sphere.
In any case, the contract service is a qualitatively new decision of the state, designed to enhance the prestige of the Russian armed forces. But before giving the life of the army, one should carefully consider the pros and cons. It is necessary to realize the degree of responsibility both for one’s life and for the life of one’s compatriots.