Clear words for the army

Why the militia is still alive despite austerity measures

On Friday, Konstantin Pochmarksi handed over command of the supply battalion.

(Bild: Bundesheer)

There are more than 5300 militia soldiers in Styria. Starved financially for a long time, there is now more money again for the army's personnel reserve. But one major concern remains. A retiring commander finds clear words.

The much-cited "turning point" in the Austrian Armed Forces began two years ago. Since Russia attempted to conquer Ukraine, the domestic military has suddenly received billions of euros to reduce the investment backlog of the past decades. Gone are the days when the army was under a tight rein - and the militia also suffered greatly as a result.

Konstantin Pochmarski (50), commander of the supply battalion in Gratkorn for twelve years, can still remember it well. The budget situation was at its most dramatic in the mid-2010s. There were restrictions on how many kilometers you could drive with trucks, fuel and ammunition were severely rationed, exercises had to be postponed. "A transport train actually consists of 24 trucks. If there are only seven or eight, the question arises as to whether it makes sense."

Konstantin Pochmarski during a militia exercise of the supply battalion

(Bild: Bundesheer/VR1)

High level of commitment allowed militia to survive
"The militia is still alive because the majority of those involved were and are prepared to invest a lot of time over and above the exercises," says Pochmarski. Free of charge, of course. "Otherwise we could have packed up." Pochmarski's supply battalion consists of exactly 666 soldiers, almost all of whom belong to the militia. This is the army's personnel reserve, which has to be continuously trained in order to be sent into action in an emergency. 

Such an emergency threatened in spring 2020 when the first coronavirus wave hit the country with full force. Professional soldiers and conscripts from Gratkorn (Supply Regiment 1) assisted with the distribution of medicines and food. Preparations were also made to mobilize the militia battalion. However, the situation calmed down in time. 

About the person

• Konstantin Pochmarski was born in 1973. He joined the supply regiment in 1991, after which he was a regular soldier until 1995 to finance his law studies.
• After disarming, he became a militia officer in the former transport battalion, which was merged into the newly established supply battalion in 2007. Pochmarksi was initially deputy battalion commander and then commander from 2010.
• The lawyer held this position until 2022, with the official handover taking place on April 26, 2024.

Pochmarski, a lawyer by profession, raves about "his" battalion. It meets every two years for exercises. The most important thing for him: "No idle time! The training time must be used as intensively and meaningfully as possible." Anyone who spends a week away from their job and family in the army must not waste their time.

"The personnel shortage affects everyone"
On Friday, Pochmarski from Graz handed over command of the supply battalion to Patrick Schuster. He is therefore taking his leave at a time when the Austrian Armed Forces are once again investing heavily in equipment and vehicles. Pochmarski naturally takes a positive view of this. But one problem remains: the lack of personnel.

The militia soldier can annoy his employer or take leave for his militia exercise. I have experienced both with my militia soldiers. But both are unacceptable

Konstantin Pochmarksi

Too few soldiers volunteer for the militia after their basic training. In Pochmarski's opinion, it will not be possible to close the gaps without obligations (as was the case until 2004). At the same time, he believes that "the possibilities for creating incentives have by no means been exhausted." In particular, advantages are needed for companies that release employees for militia training, for example in tax and social legislation. "The militia soldier can annoy his employer or take leave for his militia exercise. I have experienced both with my militia soldiers. But both are unreasonable."

The supply battalion

• The supply battalion stationed in the Hackher barracks in Gratkorn consists of 666 soldiers, the majority of whom are militiamen. They are supported by professional soldiers in important key functions.
• The battalion consists of five companies: a staff company for self-supply, three supply transport companies, which supply other units with ammunition, water, food, medicines, etc., as well as a guard security company, which protects the transports.

Only 14 percent want to defend Austria
Another obstacle to recruiting militia soldiers is probably the low willingness of Austrians to defend our country with arms. According to a recent study by the University of Innsbruck, only 14 percent of the population would do so! At the same time, more than 70 percent expect another country to defend Austria in the event of an attack.

Military assistance from other countries for free? For Pochmarski, this is "unrealistic wishful thinking". According to the man from Graz, politicians should make it clear to the population: "Either Austria stands alone as a neutral state and has to defend itself alone in the event of an attack. Or Austria decides to become part of a military alliance."