Structure and Activities of Military Commissariats in the Russian Federation

Military commissariats (voenkomats) are government institutions in Russia that perform functions related to military registration, preparation, and conscription of citizens for military service. They play a critical role in ensuring the defense capabilities of the country, operating on the basis of legal frameworks such as the Federal Law "On Military Duty and Military Service" and various regulatory acts governing military registration and mobilization readiness.

Key Tasks and Functions of Military Commissariats

Military commissariats carry out a broad range of duties associated with citizens' military obligations, mobilization, and training of reservists. Their activities are generally classified into several main areas:

1. Military Registration

Military commissariats are responsible for registering all male citizens starting from age 17 and monitoring their registration status throughout their lives until they reach the maximum age for military reserve duty. Key functions in this domain include:

• Maintaining personal records of individuals subject to military duty, collecting and updating information on residence, health, family status, and other relevant aspects.
• Organizing the initial registration of young citizens when they reach the age of 17.
• Conducting annual updates of data for those registered, making adjustments as needed for changes in residence, family status, or health.
• Managing the registration of citizens eligible for mobilization and forming a mobilization reserve.

2. Conscription for Military Service

Military commissariats play a vital role in organizing and executing conscription campaigns, held twice a year: in the spring (from April 1 to July 15) and in the fall (from October 1 to December 31). The key stages of this process include:

• Notification and Summons: Informing conscripts about the requirement to appear for medical examinations and before the conscription board.
• Medical Examination: Evaluating the health status of conscripts to determine their fitness for military service.
• Conscription Board Decisions: Making determinations on fitness for service, granting deferrals, or issuing exemptions from conscription.
• Deployment: Coordinating the transportation of conscripts to their assigned military units.

3. Mobilization Readiness

Military commissariats are also responsible for ensuring the country's mobilization readiness, including:

• Planning and implementing mobilization measures to staff the Armed Forces in emergencies or military conflicts.
• Preparing and accounting for mobilization resources, including reservists, and organizing their training and drills.
• Assessing the readiness of enterprises and organizations to fulfill mobilization duties.

4. Pre-Conscription Training of Citizens

Military commissariats are involved in organizing pre-conscription training activities, including:

• Arranging basic military training courses in educational institutions.
• Collaborating with organizations like DOSAAF (Voluntary Society for Cooperation with the Army, Aviation, and Navy) to train conscripts in military specialties.
• Conducting military-patriotic activities among youth, including participation in military sports events and patriotic initiatives.

5. Management of Reservists

Military commissariats also oversee:

• Registering citizens in the military reserve and organizing reservist training sessions.
• Retraining and upskilling reservists.
• Participating in the planning and execution of territorial defense operations.

Organizational Structure of Military Commissariats

Military commissariats operate under the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation and have a hierarchical structure that includes:

1. Main Personnel Directorate of the Ministry of Defense

   • Defines policy and coordinates the activities of all military commissariats.
   • Develops regulatory documents and guidelines.

2. Regional Military Commissariats

   • Function at the federal subject level, overseeing district and city commissariats.
   • Ensure compliance with conscription and mobilization plans within their regions.

3. District and City Military Commissariats

   • Directly engage with citizens regarding military registration and conscription.
   • Organize conscription board sessions, conduct medical assessments, and make individual determinations for each conscript.

Legal Framework

The operations of military commissariats are governed by several legal documents, the most significant of which include:

• Federal Law No. 53-FZ dated March 28, 1998, "On Military Duty and Military Service".
• Government Resolution No. 719 dated November 27, 2006, "On the Regulations of Military Registration".
• Orders and directives of the Ministry of Defense regulating conscription and mobilization activities.

Military commissariats are essential to Russia's defense infrastructure, fulfilling critical tasks related to registration, conscription, and mobilization. The ongoing trend towards digitalization, such as the introduction of electronic summonses, aims to improve efficiency and simplify interaction with citizens. However, effective performance of these functions requires not only a robust legal framework but also highly trained personnel.

If you experience any misconduct by military commissariat staff, report it on our website or send a detailed description to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. We will provide legal assistance and explain your rights. Your report can help protect your and others' interests.

Sincerely,
Freedom Person