Russia: September 1, 2002

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The 76th Parachute division is being converted to an all-volunteer force. The unit is no longer taking conscripts and will be 90 percent volunteer within a few months. Currently, only 15 percent of the units 7,000 troops are career military men. The army is spending millions to upgrade housing and other facilities at the divisions base. The army hopes to end the use of conscription by 2010, when it will be an all-volunteer force.