According to recent reports, the initial group of individuals who will serve in the Tatmadaw (Myanmar’s military) has arrived at training schools across the country. These trainees are currently undergoing medical examinations at the relevant training facilities.
Notably, most of these self-proclaimed volunteers hail from the Yangon Region. Major General Zaw Min Tun, spokesperson for the State Administration Council (SAC), made this announcement on March 27.
“I can say that the first batch, as some media have also mentioned, is not a result of forced organization for military service. The initial participants and servers are volunteers—individuals who willingly come forward and express their desire to attend the first course. Interestingly, most of these volunteers hail from the Yangon Region,” stated Major General Zaw Min Tun.
Although the Militia Service Regulations have not yet been officially released, certain categories of individuals will be exempted from mandatory service. These include: the mentally handicapped, soldiers who died in battle (posthumously), biological children of militiamen, ASEAN Asian athletes who have won medals in world-class competitions, scholars serving the country, irreplaceable professionals, doctors and nurses with two or more years of experience in civil service and civilian employees (instead of military personnel) with two or more years of related service.
According to the press release from the State Administration Council (SAC), 5,000 eligible men will be recruited for military service per training course every month, resulting in a planned deployment of 60,000 forces per year.
As per the current plan, only eligible men will be recruited in Course No. 1, while women who meet the eligibility criteria will be recruited starting from Course No. 5.
The Conscription Law, enacted in 2010, will come into force on February 10, 2024. Notably, this law was initially enacted on November 4, 2010, during the reign of the State Peace and Development Council, but it only became effective during the SAC era.
