The City of Kolín, as the first city ever, rewarded ‘its’ Active Reserve on Monday, December 9. Eleven active reservists, who have permanent residence in Kolín, received rewards and city benefits for their civic attitude – the membership in the Active Reserve.

Picture: Eleven rewarded active reservists who have permanent residence in Kolín. | army.cz

The Mayor of Kolín, Mgr. Michael Kašpar, former Mayor of Kolín – now the Member of Parliament Mgr. Vít Rakušan,  the First Deputy Mayor Mgr. Iveta Mikšíková and Deputy Mayor Michal Najbrt met ‘their’ active reservists in the historic building of the Kolín Town Hall and gave them a Commemorative Letter, the Coin of the City of Kolín and three city benefits, too. The Kolín Active Reserve will have public transport, access to the city swimming pool and the city library free of charge. 

Picture: The Kolín Active Reserve will have public transport, access to the swimming pool and city library free of charge in the City | army.cz

The Director of the Regional Military Headquarters Prague – Central Bohemia Regional Colonel of the General Staff, Ing. Roman Tkačík, also attended the meeting.  They signed the Memorandum on Cooperation and Development of Active Reserve together with the Mayor Mgr. Michael Kašpar in the place.  

The above-mentioned reward of the active reservists could certainly be an inspiration for other cities where the members of the Active Reserve serve.

Active Reserve is a fully professional body based on free will of the citizens of the Czech Republic to overtake the commitment to keep their own military preparedness.

Foto: Ocenění aktivních záložníků městem Kolín | army.cz

Active Reserve of the ACR can be proud of the fact that it belongs to the most expanding reserve in the region. By 2025 the Active Reserve is expected to have full repleteness of 5,000 members. The history of the Active Reserve of the ACR is a follow-up of the Czechoslovak reserve units formed in the period from 1918 to 1938. Nevertheless, the beginnings of the Active Reserve in the form we know today date back to 1999, when the Chief of the General Staff of that time called the first members of the reserves to a voluntary exercise. These soldiers have then after 2002 become the backbone of the Active Reserve formation.

Probably the most important milestone presented the legislation changes in 2016. These changes amend rewarding of Active Reserve members to the level of professional soldiers, and increase the maximum number of days during which an Active Reserve soldier can perform exercises. The change of the law goes hand in hand with a change of the Active Reserve structure. Active Reserve units are formed within most of the combat units, the existing units grow and structures of the Active Reserve successively begin to integrate into higher command functions up to Colonel rank.

Picture: Active Reserve is a fully professional body based on free will of the citizens of the Czech Republic to overtake the commitment to keep their own military preparedness. | army.cz

This trend is also projected in individual training, where the individuals are gradually trained not only in basic functions, but also as combat vehicles crew or weapon system operators.