We at VMRO have always supported the nationally responsible position that Bulgarian men should go through initial military training. All who are in positions of responsibility - mayors, municipal councilors, deputies, regional governors, ministers, deputy ministers, to undergo a form of training that will prepare them for situations related to disasters and accidents, such as we are witnessing, especially in recent years.
This is what the Deputy Chairman of VMRO Krasimir Bogdanov says in his position.
We are consistent in our position and work on the subject of military training. Bulgaria must maintain its own well-armed and prepared forces, regardless of which unions and organizations we belong to. This is what we stood for when the liberal right closed divisions because “we didn't need an army”, destroyed our military equipment "because it was Soviet", as well as now, when we are re-arming ourselves with weapons compatible with those of our present-day allies. This policy was carried out most fully by the Minister of Defense Krasimir Karakachanov, who repaired the old Soviet equipment because we had no other. At the same time, contracts were concluded for the acquisition of new armaments with the idea of producing what is possible in the Bulgarian military factories.
The closed "Georgi Benkovski" Higher Air Force School was restored. in Lower Metropolia. A large-scale campaign of the Ministry of Defense "Be a soldier" is being organized. in order to arouse the interest of young people in the army. Salaries were increased and the living conditions of the servicemen significantly improved.
At the insistence of VMRO, the Ministry of Education and Science introduced initial military training in schools. We have made legislative changes regarding the voluntary reserve. I am happy that thanks to my personal efforts, the military formation in Vratsa, closed in 2012 by the then minister Anyu Angelov, was restored.
We live in a troubled region and the strengthening of the armed forces should be a permanent and not a temporary task that has nothing to do with the current geopolitical situation. The last set to leave the barracks was in 2008. Without more decisive action, the understaffing of the reserve of our armed forces cannot be compensated. Therefore, military training should be introduced for all men under 50 who have not served.
In order to set an example, this number should also include ministers, deputies and mayors. It is an old maxim that he who does not feed his own army will feed another's.
The opinions expressed against the strengthening of the defense capabilities of the Bulgarian army are from people who are apparently happy about the fact that our skies are protected by the Turkish Air Force, or they are afraid of the harshness of military life, or they like “men” to parade in thongs decorated with duck feathers, instead of defending their homeland, comments Bogdanov.