In this paper, the role of reservists is both discussed and analysed by the author. At the same time – based on the experience of NATO member states with a history and tradition longer than ours in this context – the author outlines the alternative options for possible participation by a reserve association in eff orts aimed at supporting the volunteer reserve system and national defence as a whole in Hungary.

In Hungary, the term ‘compulsory military service’ dates back to Act No. XXXIII on the Hungarian Army (draft), while the term ‘reserve service member’ dates back to the coming into force of Act No. XL of 1868 on Defence Forces. In the interwar period, Act No. II of 1939 on National Defence made a distinction between the service duties of normal reservists as opposed to those of supplementary reservists.

Dag Hjalmar Agne Carl Hammarskjöld (Jönköping, Sweden, 29 July 1905 – Ndola, Rhodesia and the Federation of Nyasaland [today Zambia], 18 September 1961) Swedish Nobel Laureate, 2nd Secretary-General of the UN. Cold war prevailed throughout his entire term of office.

In NATO, the signifi cance and prestige of reservists and reserve offi cers, along with the organisations founded by reservists, are best illustrated by the fact that among a great number of civilian organisations, dedicated to advancing the cause of defence, the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation maintains a special relationship with only four parliamentary and social organisations. One of them is CIOR (NATO Handbook 2001, pp. 375–385, Military Decision on MC 248/1 – Th e Relationship between NATO and the Interallied Confederation of Reserve Offi cers – CIOR Resolution No. 248/1 of NATO’s Military Committee on the NATO-CIOR relationship), North Atlantic Military Committee Secretary General, North Atlantic Treaty Organization, 27 March 1988).

On more information regarding the topic, see Ujházy (2010).

This trend is a cause for concern in other countries as well, see Schafer (2017, pp. 2-18).

Based on CIOR guidelines and recommendations approved in 1996 regarding reserve (officers’) associations, see Ujházy (2011, pp. 114-115).