# Croatia expands recruitment, Serbia reinstates service > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/croatia-expands-recruit-training-program-as-reserve-shortages-persist > Updated: 2026-08-17T15:01:09.000Z. Sources: 36. Developments: 14. Since May 2026, Croatia has significantly expanded its military recruitment and training capacity. Following the graduation of the first cohort, a second batch of 900 recruits began training in mid-May. Defense Minister Ivan Anušić reported a 97% response rate to the mandatory training drive, noting that approximately 260 of the first 800 trainees expressed interest in remaining in the Armed Forces to bolster the reserve component. Recruitment efforts have diversified, including a call for 50 new officers in various specialties and a drive for 300 contract soldiers and marines for service starting in September 2026. Additionally, the Ministry of Defence announced cadet recruitment for the 2026/27 academic year, offering 116 places at the University of Defence and Security “Dr. Franjo Tuđman” and five aeronautics slots. Training infrastructure is also evolving. A civil-service conscript cohort began training in August at Jastrebarsko, focusing on disaster risk reduction and crisis communication. By August 2026, a third generation of 1,000 recruits commenced basic training across multiple locations, including Vinkovci. The Air Force also reported high interest in pilot training following the acquisition of Rafale fighters and UH-60M Black Hawks. Meanwhile, Serbia continues its plan to reinstate compulsory military service, with a 75-day training programme scheduled to begin on 1 March 2025. Serbia has also issued recruitment competitions for tank unit personnel, including driver and gunner positions. ## Claims - The Croatian Ministry of Defence announced public calls for admission to its cadet service for the 2026/27 academic year. (corroborated by 7 sources) - The calls allocate 116 cadet positions at the University of Defence and Security “Dr. Franjo Tuđman”. (corroborated by 7 sources) - The calls allocate 5 cadet positions at the Faculty of Transport Sciences in Zagreb. (corroborated by 7 sources) - At the University of Defence the 116 positions are divided into 70 for Military Engineering, 40 for Military Leadership and Management, and 6 for an integrated Naval Studies programme. (corroborated by 7 sources) - The application deadline for the cadet recruitment is 14 August 2026. (corroborated by 7 sources) - Applicants must submit applications electronically via the Postani‑student portal and also by mail to the Ministry of Defence address in Zagreb. (corroborated by 7 sources) - Required documents include a cover letter with CV, address and phone number, a copy of the ID, birth certificate, and a certificate that no criminal proceeding has been initiated within the past six (corroborated by 7 sources) - Successful applicants will be invited to a preparatory camp at the Croatian Military Academy “Dr. Franjo Tuđman” in September 2026. (corroborated by 7 sources) ## Timeline ### 2026-08-17: Croatia begins military training for 1,000 new recruits Croatia has launched its third generation of basic military training for 1,000 recruits, distributed across Požega, Knin, Slunje, and Vinkovci, as part of an expanded national defense capacity. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/croatia-begins-military-training-for-1000-new-recruits ### 2026-07-29: Croatia's Ministry of Defence opens cadet recruitment for 2026/27 Croatia's Defence Ministry opens 2026/27 cadet recruitment, offering 116 slots at the University of Defence and 5 at Zagreb's Faculty of Transport Sciences, with applications due 14 August 2026. 10 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/croatian-army-completes-specialist-training-for-115-soldiers ### 2026-07-20: Croatia and Serbia Conduct Major Military Aviation Selections and Officer Promotions Croatia’s air force held its largest pilot selection in 26 years, training 24 candidates on ZLIN 242 L aircraft, while Serbia scheduled intensified military overflights ahead of a July 25 ceremony promoting new 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/croatia-and-serbia-conduct-major-military-aviation-selections-and-officer-promotions ### 2026-07-18: Croatia and Serbia Expand Military Recruitment Programs Croatia announced a 300‑person contract soldier recruitment starting Sep 2026, while Serbia prepares a 75‑day compulsory service to begin Mar 2025, outlining training and eligibility details. 4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/croatia-and-serbia-expand-military-recruitment-programs ### 2026-07-15: Croatia's Defence Ministry opens recruitment for 300 contract soldiers and marines Croatia's Defence Ministry announced on 15 July 2026 a public recruitment drive for 300 contract soldiers and marines, with service starting 1 Sept 2026 and applications open for eligible Croatian citizens. 5 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/croatias-defence-ministry-opens-recruitment-for-300-contract-soldiers-and-marines ### 2026-07-12: Youth enlistment rises in Croatia and Sweden as conscription and officer programs expand Croatia’s new conscript Erik Jakopanec trains for special forces while Sweden sees a record 1,376 officer applicants, reflecting rising youth interest in military careers amid security concerns. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/youth-enlistment-rises-in-croatia-and-sweden-as-conscription-and-officer-programs-expand ### 2026-06-26: Croatian Military Academy graduates 103 officers in Zagreb ceremony Croatia’s Military Academy in Zagreb graduated 103 officers, with officials praising their new responsibilities and a mass held in the academy chapel. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/croatian-military-academy-graduates-103-officers-in-zagreb-ceremony ### 2026-06-25: Croatia begins training of first civil service conscripts Croatia will train its first civil service conscripts from 17 August, after accepting 36 of 56 conscience‑objection requests; the three‑month, 280‑hour program covers disaster response and provides equipment, a 4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/croatia-begins-training-of-first-civil-service-conscripts ### 2026-06-03: Serbia and Croatia announce new military officer recruitment drives Serbia opened a recruitment drive for tank crew members, while Croatia announced a call for 50 officer candidates across multiple specialties, both competitions running in 2026. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/serbia-and-croatia-announce-new-military-officer-recruitment-drives ### 2026-06-03: Croatia swears in 900 new conscripts at ceremonies in Požega, Knin and Slunj Croatia solemnly swore in 900 new conscripts at ceremonies in Požega, Knin and Slunj, with Defence Minister Ivan Anušić and senior military leaders speaking, as training runs from May 18 to July 18. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/croatia-swears-in-900-new-conscripts-at-ceremonies-in-poega-knin-and-slunj ### 2026-06-02: Montenegro's new special forces graduates and Croatia's 900 conscripts complete training Montenegro finished a rigorous special‑forces qualification course, while Croatia swore in 900 conscripts completing basic training, marking key milestones for both armies. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/montenegros-new-special-forces-graduates-and-croatias-900-conscripts-complete-training ### 2026-05-22: Croatia reports 97% response to mandatory military training drive Croatia’s defence minister says 97% of invited youths joined compulsory training, boosting forces and defence industry investment. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/croatia-records-97-turnout-for-mandatory-military-training-says-defence-minister ### 2026-05-12: Croatian Defence Minister Anušić reports 260 trainees staying amid reserve force shortage Anušić says 260 of 800 trainees will stay, Croatia faces reserve shortages and aims to expand training and build two domestic corvettes. 5 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/croatian-defence-minister-anui-reports-260-trainees-staying-amid-reserve-force-shortage ### 2026-05-08: Croatia's Army Starts Second‑Generation Recruit Training as First Cohort Graduates Croatia's army finishes its first recruit cohort and launches a larger second‑generation training starting 18 May. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/croatias-army-starts-secondgeneration-recruit-training-as-first-cohort-graduates --- Cite as: Croatia expands recruitment, Serbia reinstates service. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/croatia-expands-recruit-training-program-as-reserve-shortages-persist