Russia’s SMF to Considerably Improve Staffing System

As part of further efforts to equip the Russian Strategic Missile Forces with new missile systems and the need to operate and provide maintenance for modern armaments and military hardware, the number of personnel serving under contract is set at 18,000 servicemen in 2014 and will be increased to 30,000 by 2018. This was announced by Major Dmitry Andreev, a spokesman for the Strategic Missile Forces.

“The staffing system of the Russian Strategic Missile Forces has been improved since 2013. We apply new methods of working with candidates. In addition, the role of a contract serviceman has changed. Today, soldiers and sergeants serving under contract shall be regarded as officials that can independently solve problems, including those related to operational use and maintenance of sophisticated military equipment and weapons,” Mr. Andreev commented.

According to the information available, there are about 16,000 contract servicemen in the Russian Strategic Missile Forces who serve as driver mechanics of launch systems, technicians, team heads, platoon commanders, and specialists in highly required specialties.