Army call for volunteer reservists

Young and healthy volunteers wanting to experience life as a soldier on a part-time basis have until noon today to apply to join the army's Emergency Volunteer Reserve Force (EVRF).

Interested persons are to call personally at the army recruitment office at Luqa Barracks with two recent passport size photographs, a public registry birth certificate, a police conduct certificate and original education or trade certificates.

This is the army's fifth enlistment in the EVRF and 40 volunteers are needed.

Set up in 1998, the EVRF is made up of young men and women willing to give up time in order to assist the AFM in emergencies. Along with their monthly training obligations on weekends, the volunteers have to attend an annual eight-day camp which is usually held in October. There are 33 members in the EVRF: five lance bombardiers and 28 gunners. The latest take-up of volunteers was in June 2004.

Members in the EVRF are trained to provide back-up support to the regular AFM in four military tasks: support in the case of the need for disaster relief or other major civil emergency; guarding of key points allowing the regular army personnel to perform a more robust role in an emergency; infantry patrolling and surveillance and air defence manning.

During their three-year renewable enrolment, a volunteer will be paid at regular army rates when called for duty and, in addition, will receive an annual Lm50 in the first three years, rising to Lm100 in subsequent enrolment provided that training obligations are successfully completed.

Volunteers will be trained in infantry operations, light rescue, key point security and disaster relief. They will also receive basic soldiering skills and drill and weapons' handling.

Applicants must be Maltese citizens aged between 18 and 35 and of a minimum height of 1.57 metres for males and 1.52 metres for females.

They have to be of good moral character, medically and physically fit to regular force standards and not serving in disciplinary forces.