YEREVAN, OCTOBER 27, ARMENPRESS. The Armenian Ministry of Defense is offering a new volunteer service option for joining the military. The program will be called Homeland Defender and will enable conscripts having served the first six months of mandatory service term to join the military for a 5-year term.

A 5,000,000 dram benefit is envisaged for servicemembers completing the 5-year contract or in the event of early discharge due to medical reasons.

The salaries of servicemembers will increase under a certification program.

The bill was presented at the Cabinet meeting by Defense Minister Suren Papikyan.

In turn, the Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said that this program is a part of the military reforms package. He added that this program is one of the steps towards having a professional military.