Volunteers have fought shoulder to shoulder with Maltese and foreign soldiers, distinguishing themselves in the most important battles for the islands.
The tradition was eventually upheld by the armed forces, which has recently issued another call for applications for anyone who would like to enlist.
The Emergency Reserve Volunteer Force (EVRF), as it is known today, was set up more than a decade ago to assist the Armed Forces of Malta's regular component in national emergencies. Since then, men and women from all walks of life have enthusiastically dedicated part of their time to training in a wide range of areas, including special duties and air defence, albeit on a part time basis.
Their most significant assignment was probably five years ago, during the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting, when they were involved in airport security. Recently, they took part in ceremonial parades and national ceremonies by serving as saluting-gun crews.
Despite having to constantly overcome obstacles posed by their full-time work, some volunteers have become so engulfed in their training that they preferred to enlist in the Regular Force of the AFM. Enlisting is, of course, easier said than done and applicants must satisfy a variety of criteria to be accepted.
Besides being within the stipulated age and height brackets, a strenuous physical and medical test ensures they are fit enough to meet Regular Force standards. Interested candidates are also interviewed.
Should they pass, they receive the basic training given to ordinary AFM recruits, which they will expand on for the next three years, until their contract is once again renewed.
Applicants must personally apply at the AFM Recruitment Office at Luqa Barracks by tomorrow afternoon and present their identity card, a birth certificate, two passport size photographs and any education certificates.
Since they will enlist on a part-time basis, applicants must also have the written consent of their head of department if employed in the public sector.
The number of applicants that will be accepted into the force is limited to a platoon.