The Ministry of Defence explained how to join the army through recruitment
The Ministry of Defence notes that during the full-scale war, the system of staffing the Armed Forces has changed significantly. Along with traditional mobilisation, the recruitment mechanism is now actively used.
Its main difference is that candidates can independently choose the position and unit where they will serve. At the same time, entry into the army is possible both under contract and through mobilisation.
The ministry explained that several categories of citizens can take advantage of the recruitment mechanism.
Ukrainian citizens aged 18 to 25, as well as foreigners and stateless persons, can join the army only by signing a contract. Special conditions are provided for Ukrainians in this age group: short-term contracts for one or two years, payment of 1 million hryvnia in monetary compensation for signing and fulfilling the contract, as well as a one-year deferral from conscription after completion of service.
Ukrainian citizens aged 25 to 60 can choose between contract service and mobilisation. At the same time, voluntary mobilisation is possible directly to priority military units, as determined by the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
Persons over the age of 60 can also join the Defence Forces, but only by signing a contract.
The Ministry of Defence notes that recruitment allows individuals to choose their form of service. Voluntary mobilisation may be faster in terms of procedure, but a contract provides greater legal guarantees and additional incentives.
In particular, the contract provides for a clearly defined term of service — from one to ten years or until demobilisation is announced.
There is a special programme for young people called "Contract 18-24", which allows them to sign a contract for one or two years. In addition, a one-year contract is available for medical and psychological specialists, as well as for citizens over 60 years of age.
Among the main advantages of contract service, the Ministry of Defence cites a guarantee of service for the first six months in the chosen position in the chosen unit, if the candidate has received a letter of recommendation from the commander.
A one-time cash payment is also provided for signing the first contract. In 2026, it amounts to 26,624 hryvnias for enlisted personnel, 29,952 hryvnias for sergeants and senior sergeants, and 33,280 hryvnias for officers.
In addition, military personnel are entitled to preferential state mortgages under the "єОселя" programme and a full social package.
The Ministry of Defence also explained where to find vacancies in the military. Today, there is an extensive network of recruitment centres and online platforms.
In particular, there are recruitment centres for each branch of the Armed Forces of Ukraine — the Land Forces, Air Assault Forces, Naval Forces, Territorial Defence Forces, Special Operations Forces, and Unmanned Systems Forces.
Individual military units and army corps also conduct their own selection of candidates. These include, in particular, the 10th Army Corps, the 38th Separate Marine Brigade, and the 12th Brigade of the National Guard of Ukraine "Azov."
Applications for service can also be submitted via digital platforms. Vacancies are posted on the job search websites Lobby X, Work.ua and robota.ua, as well as on the state applications "Reserve+" and "Dія".
In addition, there are civilian recruitment centres based at the Administrative Services Centre, where specialists help candidates find a position and refer them to the appropriate military unit.
The Ministry of Defence explained that the recruitment procedure consists of four stages.
First, the candidate selects a vacancy and undergoes an interview with a representative of the military unit. After that, if the decision is positive, a letter of recommendation is issued by the commander, indicating the position.
The next stage is to complete the paperwork and undergo a military medical examination. A referral for a medical examination can be obtained through the "Reserve+" app.
After that, the candidate is sent to serve. Those who do not have previous military experience undergo 51 days of basic military training.
The Ministry of Defence emphasises that after training, the serviceman is sent to the unit that issued the letter of recommendation.
At the same time, it is important to consider the status of the military unit. If it is included in the list of priority recruitment, the letter of recommendation guarantees service in that particular unit.
For non-priority units, the assignment requires additional approval from the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
The Ministry of Defence also explained what to do if problems arise during the procedure. In this case, they recommend contacting the recruiter who accompanied the candidate.
In addition, the Ministry of Defence has a hotline at 1512. You can also write to the email address of the Main Directorate for the Protection of the Rights of Servicemen at [email protected] or to the Office of the Military Ombudsman at [email protected].
The ministry emphasises that the development of the recruitment system is one of the steps towards forming a professional army, where military personnel serve in positions that best match their experience and skills.
