Defence: here is the Crosetto reform. Italia plays the operational reserve card

The defence sector is undergoing a transformation to address security threats, which require rapid response times. Consequently, to enhance the operational capability of the national military, the operational reserve has been established, with the aim of providing an adequate pool of trained and readily deployable personnel capable of supporting and complementing the Armed Forces and the Single Military Health Corps, even in peacetime. Personnel in the operational reserve may be called up annually to undertake training activities aimed at developing and maintaining operational readiness.

Unless otherwise specified, the provisions applicable to volunteers on fixed-term contracts shall apply, insofar as they are compatible, to enlisted personnel in the operational reserve who are recalled to active duty.

This is when the defence reform outlined by Minister Crosetto is due to be implemented. The details are set out in the draft decree-law entitled “Provisions for the establishment of reserve forces, concerning military personnel, and authorising the Government to review the military structure”, which *Il Sole 24 Ore* has seen.

When a member of the armed forces leaves the operational reserve, they cease to belong to the operational reserve pool in certain clearly defined cases. The first: after a minimum period of five years of irrevocable availability for deployment, subject to duly justified exceptional cases. The second reason: loss of military status. And then also due to unsuitability, even partial, for unconditional military service; or due to unsuitability for the duties of the rank. There is also the case of reaching the age of 55 for officers, non-commissioned officers and senior enlisted personnel, and the age of 45 for enlisted personnel. Finally, for poor performance during the period of recall.