Fourteen soldiers took the oath at the barracks of HDF 5th ‘Istvan Bocskai’ Infantry Brigade on January 2. After the Changing of the Guard Ceremony the reservists took over service. The event was opened by Brigadier General Gábor Böröndi, Commander of HDF 5th Istvan Bocskai Infantry Brigade.

By setting up a Volunteer Reserve System the strategic objectives of the MoD’s new leadership have been realized. Following the amendment of the Home Defence Act nearly two thousand reservists were trained last November and December. Over the past year the red sludge disaster and floods in Hungary revealed that there was a great need for reservists. By setting up a reserve system HDF will be able to accomplish spatial, disaster management. Moreover guarding military facilities and the so-called military ’critical infrastructure’ protection can be implemented more effectively in the future. By the end of year 2013 disaster management capabilities are aimed to be established, as well. From January 2011 military barracks and establishments have been guarded by soldiers. As a result the security of the objects has already improved. Currently the reservists are practicing the tasks to be implemented in emergency situations. Introducing the system Hungary has taken an important step to fulfill its commitments to the EU and NATO.

Translated by Dóra Darnyik