Citizens up to the age of 40 will be accepted for contract service in the Armed Forces; previously, the maximum age for acceptance for contract service was 30 years.\n\nThis is stated in the amendments to the decree of November 7, 2001 No. 1053 "On the Regulations on Military Service by Relevant Categories of Servicemen."\n\nAlso, according to the amendments, Ukrainian citizens who have served six months of conscript service, rather than a year as was previously the case, will be accepted for contract service.\n\nIn addition, conscript servicemen who during their service fully mastered professional skills, were exemplary and disciplined, may now be discharged to the reserve early.\n\nSuch a decision is made by the commander of the military unit, but not earlier than the corresponding presidential decree is issued.\n\nIn particular, soldiers and sergeants may be discharged to the reserve no earlier than after 11 months (previously - 16), sailors and petty officers - no earlier than after 17 months (previously - 22 months), - persons with higher education - after 8 months (previously 12).\n\nThe document also reduces the term of conscript service for soldiers and sergeants from 18 to 12 months, and for sailors and petty officers - from 24 to 18 months. And for servicemen with higher education, the term of conscript service has been shortened from 12 to 9 months.\n\nAt the same time, the press service of the Ministry of Defense reported that already within a year, specifically after Viktor Yushchenko was elected president, the term of conscript service had been reduced.\n\nIn particular, the term of conscript service for soldiers and sergeants is 12 months, for sailors and petty officers - 18 months, for servicemen with higher education up to 9 months.\n\nThe decree also introduces a number of other changes and additions to the regulations on military service by relevant categories of servicemen.