Cabinet resolution #1291 of November 12, 2024 

Decision-maker: Cabinet of Ministers 

Status: in effect since November 13, 2024 

Who is affected: security and defense forces 

Summary: 

  • service members will be able to transfer to other military units via the Army+ online portal 
  • the transfer project is experimental and will last for 2 years 
  • a service member must attach to the transfer request the following documents: 
    • a copy of the military ID or officer ID 
    • a recommendation letter from the military unit they wish to transfer to 
    • approval from the commander of the unit they currently serve in 
    • a conclusion by the military medical commission (MMC). It is required if the service member is fit for service but cannot hold positions in their current unit due to limitations established by the MMC’s conclusion. This applies to service members who can serve in support units, military educational establishments, training centers, medical or logistical units, but are unfit for their current unit 
  • the commander’s consent for the transfer is not mandatory for: 
    • private, sergeant, and chief sergeant personnel (except for those holding officer positions), if they are transferred from rear units, educational establishments, territorial recruitment centers, reserve, or other non-combat units to combat units 
    • service members transferring from one training center to another 
    • service members who have an MMC’s conclusion establishing that they are fit for service in support units, territorial recruitment centers, higher military educational establishments, training centers, medical and logistical units, as well as communication units, operational support or security units, but cannot serve in their current units at positions listed in the MMC’s conclusion 
  • the personnel center of the Armed Forces must check the request submitted by a service member within 72 hours for any grounds for refusal of transfer 
  • results of the check are communicated to the applicant via the Army+ portal: 
    • if the transfer is denied, the reasons for refusal are indicated in the notification 
    • if the decision is positive, an order for transfer will be prepared, which must be signed by the Commander-in-Chief or the Chief of General Staff within 24 hours after the check 
  • grounds for refusal of transfer: 
    • the service member has served in the unit for less than 6 months or less than a year since their previous transfer at their request. This does not apply to those who, according to the MMC’s conclusion, are fit for service in educational establishments, medical, logistical or communication units and are unable to hold such positions in their current units 
  • not all required documents were attached to the request 
  • the technical administrator of the Army+ portal will selectively check transfer permissions to ensure that all necessary documents have been submitted and deadlines have been met. 

What is right: 

  • simplified transfers via an online portal will help to avoid procedural delays that often accompany personnel transfers. Less red tape will speed up the procedure and reduce administrative costs 
  • the electronic system records all transfers and changes, promoting greater transparency and decreasing corruption risks. 

What is wrong: the commander’s consent for transfer is one of the mandatory requirements. The lack of clear criteria guiding the commander’s approval or refusal makes such decisions non-transparent. This may cause dissatisfaction among personnel and increase the risk of violations of the rights of service members and power abuse. This requirement might undermine the whole idea of the resolution. 

Alternative solution: decisions on transfers should consider both operational needs and personal interests of the military. By granting the command the unilateral authority to make such decisions, the Cabinet undermines the whole project. To make the idea work, transparent criteria for transfer decisions should be developed, involvement independent bodies in reviewing such matters could also help.