Jelgava Gymnasium Graduate to Enter National Defense Service After Graduation
Teo Švanks, a graduate of Jelgava State Gymnasium, will begin an 11-month national defense service at the Air Force base in Lielvārde after his graduation ceremony on Friday.
Among the 394 graduates of Jelgava's general secondary education institutions receiving diplomas this academic year is Teo Švanks, a graduate of Jelgava State Gymnasium from Ozolnieki. His graduation ceremony is on Friday, but his path ahead differs from most of his classmates – he will enter 11 months of national defense service.
Teo chose, and the authorities approved, his service location at the Air Force base, Air Defense Division in Lielvārde. He eagerly awaits July 17, when service begins. Before that, he has over two weeks free, which he considers too short for work or study, and he is not in the mood for rest.
The idea to enlist immediately after gymnasium came from a friend who is a year older and has already successfully served. Teo also took a national defense course in gymnasium but does not see a direct link to his decision. While in his final year, he thought about his future and education, but his closest authorities are his parents, relatives, and friends. In choosing a profession, he appears independent, as evidenced by his choice of service location – Lielvārde.
