The Honourable Homecoming Journey of People’s Military Service Members (Part I)

By Min Khant

For the perpetuation of the sovereignty of a nation, it is a very noble national duty for every citizen to serve in the responsibility of national de­fence. To ensure that those who are eligible by age can fulfil this honourable national duty with a sense of conscientiousness, the People’s Military Service Law officially came into effect on 10 February 2024. The first batch of People’s Military Service Train­ing was successfully conducted on 8 April 2024. At present, it has been reported with pride and joy that the first batch of People’s Military Service members who faithfully carried out the national defence duty is about to complete the designated service period, and will soon begin their honour­able journey back home.

The performance of dutiful people’s military service mem­bers, who are about to begin their homecoming journey, has been recorded in history as an impor­tant turning point for national security. Their sacrifice and val­our clearly demonstrate the es­sence that “the national defence duty does not belong only to the active-duty military personnel but to all citizens”. Furthermore, those who have served in the peo­ple’s military service have prac­tically led by example in fulfilling the fundamental duty of citizens as prescribed in Section 385 of the Constitution, which states: “Safeguarding the independence, sovereignty, and territorial integ­rity of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar is the duty of every citizen”.

The government has been systematically implementing detailed laws, by-laws, and pro­cedures for every stage of the people’s military service process, from the initial call-up of people’s military service members, to the training, their service period, and finally their honourable return home after completing their du­ties. When recruiting military service members, the relevant recruitment committees careful­ly follow the established laws and regulations in accordance with the guidance of the Head of State, who instructed that “orderly and disciplined recruitment must be given priority”. If any unfair ac­tions that violate the law occur during the recruitment process, they are investigated, and action is taken against them under the law. Likewise, false accusations or fabricated complaints are also dealt with effectively.

For national defence, in ac­cordance with the motto “Only when the Tatmadaw (armed forces) is strong will the nation be strong,” the implementation of the People’s Military Service Law is considered a very benefi­cial long-term process. To avoid placing a burden on the state, not everyone within the eligible age group is required to serve at the same time. Instead, only indi­viduals who pass medical exam­inations among those who meet the required qualifications are selected and called up in small numbers on a rotating month­ly basis to serve in the people’s military service. Among those who are eligible under the law, individuals who qualify for ex­emption, reduction, or deferment are also granted such permis­sions in accordance with legal provisions. The selected young citizens are properly trained at military training depots to ensure they acquire the necessary mili­tary skills required during their service, improve their physical fitness, and develop correct and strong moral attitudes.

Although every youth serving in the people’s military service is trained to become proficient in the military skills required for national defence, not everyone is assigned solely to infantry battal­ions. Instead, responsibilities are distributed among various appro­priate military service branches based on each individual’s edu­cational qualifications and pro­fessional skills. Throughout the entire period of their service, they receive the same salary, ration, and other benefits as regular military personnel. Moreover, the valuable experiences gained during their military service have helped them greatly im­prove their personal discipline, as well as develop stronger men­tal maturity, emotional stability, self-confidence, perseverance, and physical fitness.

Starting from April 2024, people’s military service train­ing courses have been conducted monthly, and the 20^th batch has already been conducted. The peo­ple’s military service members turned-out from these training programmes include people from different social backgrounds and ethnic groups. They are now serv­ing diligently in different roles in national defence as responsi­ble and capable citizens. Among these responsible citizens are not only highly respected medical doctors with postgraduate de­grees, but also many other ed­ucated young people who have completed undergraduate and postgraduate studies.

In addition, it has been re­ported that some individuals have fought bravely in military oper­ations and have been awarded gallantry medals for their cour­age. It is honourable to see that those who have received double commendations for bravery have courageously applied the military knowledge they learned during training and fought with strong determination and spirit. With the firm belief that the nation­al defence duty does not belong only to members of the armed forces but to all citizens. The first batch of people’s military service members, who set an example in modern history, is about to com­plete their duties one batch after another, and begin their journey back home toward their future lives.

To ensure that the future journey of these individuals, who have faithfully fulfilled their national security duty, is smooth and secure, and to strengthen their life opportunities, the gov­ernment has formed a committee called the “Employment Manage­ment Committee on Military Vet­erans”. This committee will help provide employment opportuni­ties for those who have completed their service. The committee is chaired by the Union Minister for Defence, with ministers and re­sponsible officials from relevant ministries forming five working committees. These committees will officially present certificates of completion to those who have completed their military service and will help create various path­ways for them to obtain employ­ment opportunities.

Among the options arranged by the management committee, the first option is for those who wish to continue serving in na­tional defence duty under the care of the armed forces by con­verting their service into stand­ing military service. During the two years of military service, the youths in the People’s Mil­itary Service programme have already become proficient in military skills. They have also demonstrated discipline, bravery, and physical fitness in real oper­ational environments. Therefore, the armed forces will proudly wel­come them to continue serving. For those who choose to transi­tion into standing military ser­vice, their two years of service will be officially counted as part of their work experience, and they will also be promoted to ranks appropriate to their abilities and qualifications.

In particular, university stu­dents and those who have passed the matriculation examination will be promoted to serve up to the rank of sergeant. Further­more, if they meet the required qualifications, they will also be al­lowed to sit for the relevant officer training examinations. Therefore, this first option is considered an honourable and proud option for those who possess strong patriot­ism, courage, a spirit of sacrifice, and a genuine love for the life of a soldier. However, it should be clearly noted that no one will be forced to continue serving as a permanent soldier. Only those who personally wish to continue their lives in the armed forces and sincerely aspire to become soldiers will be accepted.

The second option is a good opportunity for those who wish to transition into civil service positions. Those who have re­ceived the certificate recognizing the completion of the people’s military service and who meet the required qualifications will be given priority for appoint­ment as government employees through cooperation between the Union Civil Service Board and the relevant ministries. In these appointments, the maximum age limit for applicants will be extended by up to three years. For individuals who were already government employees before serving in the people’s military service, once their service period is completed, they will be rein­stated to their original positions and departments, and their two-year military service period will be counted as part of their official service tenure.