Here comes the mini naja, a mix between military service and civil service. The project will be on an experimental basis, and was approved by the House with an overwhelming majority (453 votes in favour, 10 against and six abstentions). The text will now go to the Senate.
The young people who participate will pass six months in barracks or training facilities belonging to the Armed Forces, but will also follow e-learning courses and will study "the values of citizenship and the defense of the homeland".
MINI NAJA: WHAT IS IT
The mini naja is described as a six-month military training course. Unlike the old military service, it will be on a totally voluntary and unpaid basis.
Matteo Perego (Forza Italia), first signatory of the proposal, explained that it has "the aim of offering young people the possibility of undertaking an educational and specialized training course in the armed forces, on a voluntary basis, and that regardless of future professional choices , can be used in the progression of studies through the recognition of certificates and university credits".
MINI NAJA: WHO CAN PARTICIPATE
Only Italian citizens aged between 18 and 22 who enjoy civil and political rights can participate in the project.
Membership will be conditional on the possession of a secondary school diploma (high school, to be clear). Among the requisites also "not having behaved towards the political institutions of the State that do not give a guarantee of absolute fidelity to the Constitution and to the needs of national security".
There are other stakes as well. They will not be able to join:
- young people convicted of non-negligent crimes or with penal proceedings in progress for non-negligent crimes,
- young people undergoing preventive measures.
MINI NAJA: HOW IT WORKS
As mentioned, joining the project will only be on voluntary basis and there will be no pay: “There is no reimbursement of expenses – explains the honorable Perego al Sun 24 Hours -, all expenses such as food and lodging are borne by the MEF reserve fund. There are no fees for the student, but no salary either. We believe that the acquisition of 12 university credits is the right compensation. And you will receive a certificate of a military nature of complementary reserve officers”.
The mini naja will last six months and will develop in three phases: the first consists of a study course in e-learning mode. In the second phase, on the other hand, a period of stay in the training and training structures, schools and academies of the armed forces or the carabinieri is foreseen. The third and final phase will instead be that of practical training.
Based on age and level of education, study seminars and insights into Italian architecture that deals with security and, in particular, cybersecurity are planned during the course.
MINI NAJA: CERTIFICATES AND CREDITS
After six months, participants will receive a certificate aimed at certifying the positive outcome of the training course which can also be used to demonstrate the experience gained. The certificate, the text specifies, will constitute a "evaluable qualification for the purposes of appointment as a reserve officer".
College students will additionally acquire up to a maximum of 12 training credits.
