Former Law Enforcement Officers Barred from Confirming Ranks in Ukraine’s Armed Forces: Who Is Affected.

The Challenge of Verifying Military Ranks

According to Novyny.live: Citizens who previously served in law enforcement agencies can only confirm their ranks when joining the Armed Forces of Ukraine (AFU) through a re-certification process that is exclusively available to contract soldiers. Mobilized personnel, however, are not allowed to verify their ranks, raising concerns about fairness and equality in military service.

As noted, re-certification is only an option for those who have signed a contract. Contract service involves signing a multi-year agreement that defines the rights and responsibilities of service members. Meanwhile, conscription was abolished several years ago, further complicating the situation for those called up during mobilization. While the duties of mobilized troops and contract soldiers are identical, their rights differ significantly.

Urgent Need for Legislative Reform

According to expert Vyacheslav Kyrd,

“The issue of undergoing certification needs to be raised, but this is only possible if a contract is signed. Most likely, nothing will come of it under mobilization.”

Consequently, the re-certification situation in Ukraine remains problematic and demands further review to ensure equal opportunities for all military personnel, regardless of their service type.

The question of re-certification for Ukrainian troops underscores existing flaws in the military management system. Amid an ongoing war, it is critical to guarantee equal rights for all soldiers, taking into account their experience and prior ranks. The inability of mobilized personnel to confirm their ranks could negatively impact troop morale and the overall effectiveness of the AFU.