Young men in Styria: Suitability and community service in focus!

Young men in Styria: Suitability and community service in focus!

In 2024, a total of 6,332 young men underwent a medical check in Styria to check their suitability for military service. The results were impressive: 70 percent were classified as suitable. But that also means that 30 percent did not meet the requirements. Edgar Strasser, Chairman of the Styria's positioning commission, was optimistic about the development and emphasized that the 2006 birth year performed very well overall. The decision as to whether you pursue community service or service with the Federal Armed Forces follows after this suitability test. About 40 percent of young men opted for community service, which is a slight decline compared to the past few years - possibly a consequence of the Ukraine secretary, which in 2022 moved many to prefer humanitarian aid.

suitability check and mental health

It is particularly noticeable that health restrictions, especially mental illnesses, have increased in the suitability check. Strasser found that these problems sometimes occur in combination with other health aspects, which makes it difficult to evaluate. While overweight is suspected as a frequent reason for unsuitability, the statistics show a different reality: According to the current data from statistics Austria, only 11 percent of young people suffer from being overweight, which in most cases has no influence on suitability. Strasser commented on the fact that the generally widespread image of a “too thick” youth does not reflect in the figures of the medical reviews.

In addition to these surveys, there is an interesting perspective on life in the region. A photographer from Southeast Styria, who specializes in press, event and advertising photography, documents the hustle and bustle in his home community of St. Anna am Aigen. With his camera, he not only captures the people at various events, but also the breathtaking landscape and his great passion for vehicles. His pictures often find their way into locally widespread media and social networks, which strengthens the sense of community in the region. This shows the diverse facets that life in Styria has to offer, in the middle of the current developments in the field of military service and health.

ORF Styria reported on the suitability of the young men, while Old Styrian panther the photographer personality and her passion for the region.