Limited, but fit: with what diseases it was proposed to take in the army

The Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation has made a proposal to adjust the categories of eligibility for conscripts entering the military register and entering military service under contract. If the draft is encouraged, conscripts diagnosed with syphilis will fall under the category of "fit with minor restrictions". For some contract servicemen it is also proposed to change the draft categories if a person is diagnosed with schizophrenia, neurotic disorders and post-traumatic and post-operative defects of skull bones. The Defense Ministry also proposes to add a new stage of hypertension to the regulation on military medical examination. Conscripts with these diseases may be obliged to perform military service. Read more about what the Ministry of Defense proposes, tell "Izvestia".

Changes in the categories of eligibility: who they want to draft for service

The Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation has posted on the portal of normative legal acts a draft decree of the Government of the Russian Federation, amending the Regulation on Military Medical Examination (No. 565 of 04.07.2013). According to the document, adjustments are proposed to be added to the categories of eligibility of conscripts, recruits and contract workers with certain diseases.

"The experience of mass examination of servicemen during the special military operation showed the presence in the schedule of diseases <...> a number of inaccuracies, diagnostic criteria, requiring their adjustment to modern approaches," - is noted in the explanatory note to the project.

Among other things, the document proposes to change the categories of eligibility for military conscripts with syphilis. In particular, it is planned to assign to such conscripts instead of category "B" (restricted fit) category "B4" (fit with minor restrictions).

The changes will apply to conscripts with primary, secondary and latent syphilis with a delayed negative reaction to the micro-precipitation reaction. This means that such patients have a gradual decrease in antibody titer within 12 months after the end of therapy, but there is no complete cure of syphilis.

The document also proposes to change the category for conscripts with hypertension of the first degree. This is a chronic disease characterized by an increase in blood pressure in the range of 140-160/90-100 Hg. Conscripts with such a diagnosis is proposed to be assigned the category of fitness "B3", which can serve as motorized riflemen, drivers of armored personnel carriers and in chemical warfare. New recruits with hypertension of the first degree will be assigned category "B", and contractors - "A".

The third important proposal concerns the change of eligibility categories for contract soldiers with "moderately pronounced endogenous psychoses". Such diseases include schizophrenia. Contractors with such diseases are proposed to change the category from "D" (not fit for military service) to "B" (not fit in peacetime).

With what diseases are exempted from military service

After passing a medical commission, conscripts are assigned a certain category of fitness, characterizing the ability of a person to perform military service. This can be:

-category "A" - fit without restrictions in any troops and units; category "A" has four subcategories, stipulating the limitation of certain actions (difficulties in vision, difficulties with the foot);

-Category "B" - fit for military service with minor restrictions. This category can be assigned to a conscript with scoliosis of II degree without spinal dysfunction. Category "B" also has four subcategories, stipulating in which branches of troops a conscript can serve;

-Category "B" - limited fitness for military service (not subject to conscription in peacetime). Conscripts may be called up for military training or drafted in case of mobilization;

-Category "D" - temporarily unfit for military service due to certain diseases (exempts from conscription for up to 12 months). This category can be assigned after treatment of acute viral hepatitis B, C or D, or because of a broken leg or arm;

- Category "D" - not fit for military service.

According to the regulation on military medical expertise, in 2025 conscripts who have:

-Diseases and organ disorders. This includes people with disabilities, HIV, malignant neoplasms, asthma, epilepsy and severe cerebral vascular diseases;

- visual defects. Conscripts with myopia over six diopters, hyperopia over eight diopters and astigmatism over four diopters are subject to exemption;

- weight problems. A conscript cannot serve in the army if he or she weighs less than 45 kilograms or has a body mass index above 40 (third- to fourth-degree obesity);

- aspinal curvature of more than 17 degrees with associated symptoms;

-skin diseases, including atopic dermatitis, eczema, psoriasis;

-stomach and intestinal diseases. Ulcer, significant digestive disorders are also contraindications;

-serious trauma, including compression fracture of the spine;

-dental problems. Missing more than ten teeth on one jaw or severe forms of periodontal disease.

Spring draft 2025: terms, who will be drafted

Military conscription in Russia takes place twice a year - in the spring and in the fall. In 2025, spring conscription is scheduled to begin on April 1 and end on July 15. During this period, citizens on the military register will need to report to the military enlistment office.

From 2024 the draft age in Russia will be from 18 to 30 years old. Conscripts who are recognized fit by the results of the medical commission will have to undergo military service in the army, the term of which is 12 months.