Podcast in English
Text size
Bulgarian National Radio © 2025 All Rights Reserved

Gen Z recruits under pressure

New trend: One in three military candidates fails psychological screening

Photo: Zdravka Maslyankova

Generation Z is facing serious difficulties coping with stress, according to results from cadet exams at the Vasil Levski National Military University in Veliko Tarnovo, reported by BNR correspondent Zdravka Maslyankova.


While until recently physical fitness and medical condition were the main challenges for military career candidates, now the focus is more on their mental stability. For the first time, 30–40% of candidates failed the psychological test. Only half of the places were filled for the new academic year, despite 270 cadets being expected to be admitted.


"Our generation is spoiled," explain 15-year-olds Soner Günaydın and Teodor Stariradev from Gorna Oryahovitsa.

Teodor Stariradev (L) and Soner Günaydın

The problem of understaffing in the army is serious and has persisted for years. The National Military University had announced an additional intake, hoping that at least 200 cadets will take their military oath this autumn.



Editor: Miglena Ivanova
Posted in English by E. Radkova

Photos: Zdravka Maslyankova



Последвайте ни и в Google News Showcase, за да научите най-важното от деня!
Listen to the daily news from Bulgaria presented in "Bulgaria Today" podcast, available in Spotify.

More from category

Sunny and hot weather expected on Wednesday

Sunny weather is in the forecast for Wednesday. It will be hot in the plains and lowlands around and after noon. There will be a light northerly and northwesterly wind, turning to moderate in Eastern Bulgaria. Maximum temperatures will range between..

published on 6/24/25 6:35 PM

Mobile consular services to be held in the Balearic Islands in September

In cooperation with the Bulgarian Cultural and Spiritual Centre “Sveta Sofia” in the Balearic Islands, the Consulate General of Bulgaria in Valencia will hold mobile consular days in the town of Santanyí on 13 and 14 September 2025. According to an..

published on 6/24/25 6:07 PM

Bulgarian Foreign Ministry issues warning over national strike in Belgium on 25 June

The Bulgarian Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) has issued a warning about a national strike in Belgium on 25 June 2025, organised by the trade unions. As part of the planned protest, all departing flights from Brussels' Zaventem International..

published on 6/24/25 5:53 PM