Professional Soldier

A professional soldier is a trained member of the military whose work, discipline, and courage protect the citizens and the Republic of Serbia.

This is a profession that demands commitment, responsibility, and readiness for challenges. A professional soldier performs duties within the unit, takes part in training, and provides direct support in the defense of the country.

The professional soldier is the backbone of the Serbian Armed Forces — trained and equipped to defend the homeland at any time. They serve in a unit as a team member and operate under strict military principles and standards. They are the shield and defender of the homeland, preserving freedom and peace for all generations. Their determination and bravery form the foundation of every citizen’s security.

A professional soldier serves in the unit to which they were admitted and, in accordance with the contract, cannot be transferred to another unit or duty station without their consent.

Entry into professional military service as a professional soldier is possible through public competition, and direct recruitment after completing compulsory military service or as a candidate from the records of regional centers of the Ministry of Defence, based on the Notice on Continuous Recruitment of Professional Soldiers for Fixed-Term Service in the Serbian Armed Forces.

General Requirements for Admission to Professional Military Service as a Professional Soldier:

Eligible applicants are adult citizens of the Republic of Serbia with at least a completed primary education, who have served the military with arms, under the terms and with the documentation prescribed by the competition. Candidates who have not completed compulsory military service with arms may also apply (if the competition allows it), in which case they are sent to military training for professional soldiers, conducted within Serbian Armed Forces units.

Public competitions are announced in accordance with the needs of the Serbian Armed Forces and published on the websites of the Ministry of Defence and the Serbian Armed Forces, in the Odbrana magazine, and in at least one daily national newspaper.

Professional soldiers (male and female), up to 30 years of age, with at least primary or higher levels of education, may enter fixed-term professional military service through public competition or direct admission.

Candidates who meet the general requirements set out in the competition undergo a selection process, which includes:

Upon successful completion of the selection process, the candidate signs a fixed-term employment contract and is assigned to a position based on the type and level of education, specialization, work experience, results of medical and other exams, and any other relevant or acquired skills and qualifications.

The initial contract is signed for six months, with the possibility of extension to three years, and can be renewed until the conditions for retirement are met, in accordance with the Pension and Disability Insurance Act applicable to members of the Serbian Armed Forces (age 55 with at least 25 years of insurance service, including a minimum of 15 years of effective service in positions with extended insurance duration).

The candidate becomes a professional soldier from the date of reporting for duty at the command, unit, or military facility.

Another route into fixed-term professional military service as a professional soldier is through direct recruitment, without a public competition.

The selection and admission process is nearly identical to that for public competition. However, in addition to candidates from the regional records of the Ministry of Defence, current conscripts may also apply during their military service.

The entire selection process for conscripts is carried out during their military service, and they can be admitted into professional service immediately after completing it.

Application forms can be obtained, filled out, and submitted on weekdays between 8:00 AM and 2:00 PM at military mail addresses listed in the Notice on Continuous Recruitment.

Details regarding open positions, by branch and location, are available via the phone numbers listed in the notice.

The most qualified candidates will sign a fixed-term employment contract and will be admitted to a unit of the Serbian Armed Forces for a six-month period, with the possibility of a three-year contract extension and contract renewal until retirement, in accordance with Article 43 of the Law on Pension and Disability Insurance.

A candidate who signs the contract becomes a professional soldier from the day of reporting to their assigned command, unit, or institution. They receive the rank of Private First Class and perform two key tasks during their service: training and duty execution within the assigned position.

Through training and task execution, professional soldiers continuously acquire new knowledge, skills, habits, and develop physical, mental, and moral qualities that prepare them for the most complex missions. Depending on their performance and position requirements, they may be promoted to the rank of Corporal and later Junior Sergeant.

If a professional soldier wishes to become a non-commissioned officer, they must complete relevant NCO training — the Leadership Course and the Basic NCO Course — after which they are eligible for promotion to the rank of Sergeant (on a fixed-term basis).

To be selected for the Leadership Course, a soldier must show leadership potential during service, be highly trained in their specialty, possess general military knowledge, and have positive evaluations and recommendations from their superiors.

A soldier with the rank of Corporal who has completed the Leadership Course may attend the Basic NCO Course if they have proven themselves as a capable team leader, possess the necessary skills for both primary and secondary military specialties, and have received positive assessments and recommendations from their superiors.

In addition to advancing to the NCO corps, professional soldiers may also — through internal competitions and based on their education — establish permanent employment as civilian personnel in the Serbian Armed Forces, or even become officers.