First US Soldier Begins Latvia's State Defence Service
Karlis, a soldier from the United States whose grandparents came from Latvia, has become the first American to join Latvia's State Defence Service. He has seven months of service left and is considering staying in Latvia afterwards.
The first soldier from the United States has begun serving in Latvia's State Defence Service. He is Karlis, whose grandparents came from Latvia. He is now spending his first Lāčplēša Day in the country alongside fellow soldiers.
Roots in Latvia
Karlis's grandmother Stella was born in Liepāja and became a refugee during the Second World War. She recently turned 101 and still lives with her family in Washington. Karlis studied international relations and initially planned to spend at least a year in Latvia.
He says he decided to join the defence service because he wanted new experience, to get to know Latvia's nature and to develop his professional skills.
Daily service
Karlis admits that military life is not easy, but says he feels like an equal among the other soldiers. Patriotic education and learning about Latvia's military history are particularly important to him. His grandmother's refugee journey and the war in Ukraine make him value freedom even more.
What comes next
Seven months of service remain for Karlis. He does not yet know what he will do afterwards, but he is considering staying in Latvia. In his view, each person here has a greater chance to influence what happens in society than in the large United States.
