A Russian regional draft commission report on quality control efforts regarding medical examination of conscripts

Introduction. In Russian constituents, draft commissions play the leading role in providing medical services to individuals preparing for military service.

The objective of the study is to analyze activities of a regional draft commission located in the Orenburg region with a specific focus on quality control during medical examination of conscripts.

Methods. The study relied on reports and records of the Military Medical Expertise Center at the Federal Budgetary Institution “Military Commissariat of the Orenburg Region” throughout 2012 to 2021 timespan.

Results and analysis. Within the analyzed 10 year’s timespan the number of conscripts in the Orenburg region decreased by 11.6 %. However, the number of individuals fit for military service (categories “A”+”B”) remained relatively unchanged, e.g. 14058 individuals in 2012 and 14837 in 2021 (except years 2013 and 2014 with 12494 and 12880 individuals in this category, respectively). The ratio between the individuals potentially fit for military service to those actually deployed indicates the rate of conscription withdrawal rate. In 2020 the conscription withdrawal rate was at its minimum value of 26.7 %, reaching its maximum value of 38.8 % in 2013. Within the timespan under study, 47500 individuals residing in the region were conscribed for combat deployment. Following medical examination, 1793 (3.8 %) applicants were withdrawn from conscription as unfit for military service. Within the first three months of military service, 29 (0.06 %) military personnel were dismissed from service for health reasons and general disease diagnosis. Some 52.200 individuals were deferred or exempted from the military draft (fitness categories for military service “B”, “G”, “D”), of which 28200 (54.1 %) were called for a medical revision examination. 2536 citizens were recognized as appropriate for military service (suitability categories “A” + “B”), amounting to 10.1 % of the arrived conscripts.

Conclusion. Timely medical examinations of individuals upon conscription for military service, as well as medical and recreational activities for conscripts depend on the due and well-coordinated operation of regional conscription commissions. Under the resolution of the President of Russia on efforts to increase the corps of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation, more extensive resources of potential military culture scripts are required.

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