Against a backdrop of growing regional insecurity, Romania is pushing to rejuvenate and expand its depleted reserve forces. The Romanian government approved legislation introducing an expanded volunteer military training programme as part of a broader push to modernize the NATO member state’s defence capabilities and rebuild its reserve forces.
The new framework replaces the previous one-week training model with a four-month programme and gives participants the option to transition into full-time military service.
Officials say the goal is to rejuvenate an ageing reservist corps and fill manpower gaps that have become increasingly pressing in the Black Sea state, against the backdrop of heightened regional insecurity.
The programme is open to both men and women aged 18 to 35 who have not previously served in the armed forces. It has been designed to be financially attractive: volunteers will receive 400 to 600 euros a month along with free accommodation, meals, medical care and military equipment. Upon completion of the course, each participant will also be granted a bonus worth some 5,300 euros.
Graduates will automatically obtain the status of reservists, creating a younger and more capable pool of trained personnel. They will also have the possibility of continuing their careers as professional soldiers, should they wish to remain in the armed forces.
Defence Minister Ionut Mosteanu told a press conference that the average age of Romania’s reservists – around 48 – is too high for a modern and responsive military force.
“It is imperative to rejuvenate our reserve corps. This programme will allow us to attract younger citizens into the armed forces and strengthen Romania’s defence capabilities,” Mosteanu said.
At present, Romania has around 4,700 volunteer reservists. The medium-term goal is to attract about 10,000 new volunteers, with a strong emphasis on younger recruits.
Lack of personnel, above all army officers and specialists, is a key issue for the army in Romania, which abolished mandatory military service in 2007 and has no plans to reinstate it. Today, service is fully voluntary, which makes recruitment both a strategic necessity and a challenge.
While the financial incentives may appeal to some, particularly in rural or economically disadvantaged regions, officials acknowledge that interest in military life has been limited.
The new law is intended to shift that perception, by offering a more comprehensive and rewarding training experience.
The legislation, which still requires parliamentary approval, is part of a broader package of defence reforms. Romania has nearly doubled its defence spending since 2023 to around 2.5 per cent of GDP this year. Plans are in place to increase this figure to 3.5 per cent by 2030, with an additional 1.5 per cent of GDP earmarked for strategic infrastructure, logistics, and cybersecurity.
Most of the budget is to be directed toward expanding the size and operational readiness of the army, strengthening air defence, and building up ammunition reserves.
Officials say the new volunteer programme complements these investments, ensuring that Romania not only upgrades its military hardware but also secures the human resources necessary for long-term resilience within NATO.