Didn't serve — goodbye! Now in Ukraine men can become civil servants only after serving in the military
To be appointed to the civil service, men will need to have completed military service
Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine 25 March 2026 supported law No.13347, which reforms the system for preparing citizens for national resistance. The document envisages comprehensive changes in the field of defense education, including the introduction of new training programs and the updating of existing courses.
According to the explanatory note, the aim of the law is to form in citizens national‑patriotic and defensive consciousness, as well as to acquire knowledge and practical skills for the defense of the state. From now on, preparation will cover not only certain categories but a broader segment of the population. In particular, a transition is envisaged from basic general military training to a more comprehensive system of instruction. It will apply to pupils and students regardless of gender. Educational institutions plan to introduce a new discipline “Fundamentals of National Resistance”, as well as update the course “Defense of Ukraine”.
In addition to theory, the law provides for active practical training. For this purpose, specialized centers will be created where shooting training sessions will be held. These will take place on the Armed Forces of Ukraine training grounds, certified shooting ranges, and using modern simulators. At the same time, for citizens who for religious reasons cannot use weapons, an alternative is provided — other types of training. Persons with disabilities or those who have lost their ability to work will be exempt from the practical part of the training.
Separately, the law introduces an important change for men: for appointment to public service they will be required to have completed military service. Thus the state effectively ties access to public office to the fulfillment of the defense duty. This step demonstrates that in wartime Ukraine is moving toward a more systematic formation of society’s defense readiness, where every citizen has basic skills to defend the country.
Previously we wrote:
- Territorial Defense launches personal recruiting in every regional center
- Global overhaul of mobilization: what the Rada and the Ministry of Defense are preparing
- New law on mobilization: what awaits Ukrainians aged 18–25 after their contract
- New municipal institution: the regional council established a Center for Preparing Citizens for National Resistance in Mykolaiv
