The Seimas decided to name the artillery battalion of the Mechanised Infantry Brigade Žemaitija within the Land Force after Brigadier General Motiejus Pečiulionis. Brig.Gen. Motiejus Pečiulionis is one of the founders of the Lithuanian Army.
In addition, the Mechanised Infantry Brigade Žemaitija will be supplemented with a mechanised infantry battalion named after Duke Margiris.
In accordance with the adopted law, in 2018 the national defence system will hold from 18,890 up to 21,950 soldiers. The threshold number of soldiers in professional service will range from 9,700 to 10,700 and the number of volunteers and other active reserve soldiers will range from 4,800 to 6,300. The number of cadets will stand between 200 and 320, and the number of soldiers in the mandatory initial military service will range from 4,190 to 4,630.
In 2023, the overall threshold of soldiers in the national defence system will range from 24,390 to 26,250, with soldiers in professional service ranging from 14,500 to 15,000 men, volunteers and other active reserve soldiers from 5,500 to 6,300, cadets from 200 to 320, and soldiers in the mandatory initial military service from 4,190 to 4,630.
From 2018 to 2023, the number of generals and admirals will rise from 12 to 14; the number of colonels and sea captains from 42 to 62; the number of lieutenant-colonels and commanders from 207 to 245, and majors and lieutenant-commanders from 673 to 850.
As noted in the explanatory note to the document, the number of senior officers will see an incremental increase in 2018 and 2023, in view of the numbers of senior officers foreseen to work in subordinate departments of the national defence system. The document concludes that raising the number of senior officers will allow granting a relevant military rank to officers so that their rank corresponds to the level of their duties. This will also ensure equal pay for the performance of equal duties. Moreover, consistent career planning will allow officers to improve their professional skills, pursue a career, and be more motivated to keep working in the national defence system. The national defence system will, in turn, retain highly skilled officers and reduce the number of officers leaving the service on their own initiative.
