We introduce the Union of Reservists of the Slovak Republic.

The Union of Reservists of the Slovak Republic / SZVvZ/ was established in the year 1966 as the civil association which is performing military and shooting activities in cooperation with the Army of Slovak Republic.

SZVvZ is voluntary non-political organization opened for every citizen of Slovak Republic. Based on its orientation, its concentrates especially soldiers, non-commissioned officers, warrant officers and reserve officers who intend to continue developing military and shooting activities, to train shooting with weapons used in the Army of Slovak Republic.

At present, the member base of SZVvZ exceeds 5000 members concentrated in 113 Clubs of SZVvZ throughout the area of Slovakia. Club activities , especially the organization of shooting competitions of every type and for every category is very advanced and builds the basis of activities of SZVvZ.

SZVvZ Club Shooting competitions in Slovakia take place on average every week , some of them are of international importance and the competitors attain outstanding results. The top of shooting competitions hold every year is the Slovak Championship of reserve soldiers Clubs in shooting multicompetition. Sportsmen of SZVvZ successfully take part in shooting competitions hold abroad, e.g. in Kirchham, Germany, in Brno and Mírov, Cheb and Louny in Czech Republic, in Salgotarjan, Hungary and in other places in Austria, Poland and Ukraine.

Apart from shooting competitions, activities of SZVvZ are oriented on social and political field in Slovakia and abroad.

SZVvZ primarily cooperates with the Ministry of Defence of Slovak Republic and with Headquarters of the Army of Slovak Republic.

SZVvZ is accepted by the Ministry of Defence of Slovak Republic as the only organization which is representing all reserve soldiers in Slovakia and the Cooperation Agreement is closed between both parties. In the framework of this cooperation , technical, financial and material support should be offered to SZVvZ during military and sporting activities, during the training of reserve soldiers as well as during all activities performed in Slovakia and abroad in relation to Slovak ambitions to be the member of NATO.

Concerning the above mentioned, SZVvZ is seeking to be the interconnecting element between army and society and its activities should take part in understanding of relevant demands of the army in relation to society and in solving of many important problems of the army and security, e.g. army expenses, length of military service, training and advanced education of reserve officers, professionalization of the army etc. SZVvZ cooperates with foreign associations of reserve soldiers and reserve officers and with other military oriented associations and organizations in Slovakia.

At the international level, SZVvZ is a member of "Gaming Initiative", with the own representatives in the Board of Initiative. Since 1999, SZVvZ is the associated member of CIOR, it takes part in PfP programs and in PHARE program entitled "Civil control of the army and officers in democratic society", as well.

Activities of SZVvZ are very wide and they tend to increase. However, the Association as the non-profitable organization is performing its activities based on the voluntary activities of its members.Its financial resources and other material resources for such broad field of activities are insufficient.

SZVvZ needs to gain relevant financial and material support for its further activities that would be of higher quality during the NATO admission process.

State bodies, institutions and organizations who are competent for reserve soldiers, training, military and sporting activities and international representation, the Army of Slovak Republic and the Ministry of Defence in the first place, should integrate us more in their activities and give us financial support.