Question and Answer in Parliament Regarding the Implementation of Compulsory Military Service

■ Deputy Minister of Defence states that all men who meet the legal regulations and criteria for compulsory military service must serve when their turn comes. In the People's Assembly session, U Nyan Win Htaik, a Member of Parliament for Botataung constituency, asked whether there are plans to conscript artists, professionals, businessmen, and their children who are eligible in the country, given that the sons and daughters of top military leaders are currently serving in the military. During the People's Assembly session held today (September 24), in response to a question regarding plans to inform the public about how the compulsory military service system will be implemented and what is being done, U Nyan Win Htaik, the Member of Parliament for Botataung constituency, asked the aforementioned question as a follow-up to the response from the relevant Union-level organization. "I am very proud to know that the sons and daughters of top military leaders are also serving in the military under the current compulsory military service law. Therefore, like other countries, I would like to know if there are plans to conscript eligible artists, professionals, businessmen, and their children in our country. Also, I have learned from some townships that some young soldiers who have completed their service and returned home are facing difficulties with return travel expenses, living expenses, accommodation, and security. Therefore, I would like to know how these matters will be addressed to ensure they are handled smoothly," said MP U Nyan Win Htaik in the parliamentary session. Deputy Minister of Defence, Major General Aung Myo Thant, stated, "We are providing support to those who have completed their compulsory military service and returned to their parents' homes, in accordance with the plans of the respective State and Region governments. The military is also providing support through each Military Command. Regarding compulsory military service, all men who meet the legal regulations and criteria must serve when their turn comes. Therefore, I would like to clarify that all individuals, except those eligible for exemption, must serve in turn." According to information presented by Deputy Minister of Defence, Major General Aung Myo Thant, in the People's Assembly, the conscription process for compulsory military service currently involves only men aged between 18 and 35 who meet the specified criteria. The 2024 Population and Housing Census indicates that there are approximately 6.2 million men eligible for compulsory military service. The conscription process does not involve calling up all eligible individuals simultaneously. Instead, it is based on detailed calculations considering the population in each ward, village, and township, population density, regional stability, and transportation conditions, and individuals are conscripted proportionally. With over 66,000 wards/villages nationwide, the current monthly conscription numbers mean that not every ward/village needs to provide conscripts monthly; only a small number of individuals are called up in turn. Section 22 of the Compulsory Military Service Law stipulates that the following individuals shall be exempted from compulsory military service: (a) religious personnel, (b) married women (including divorced women with children), (c) individuals with permanent physical disabilities, (d) individuals deemed permanently unfit for compulsory military service by the military medical examination board, and (e) individuals granted exemption by order of the Central Committee for Conscription. The Central Committee for Conscription may grant reductions in compulsory military service obligations in the following cases: (a) if both parents of the applicant have been serving as civil servants for no less than 20 years, or have served as civil servants and retired upon reaching the age limit, the applicant may be granted a reduction of up to half of their legally mandated compulsory military service period. (b) if one of the applicant's parents has been serving as a civil servant for no less than 20 years, or has served as a civil servant and retired upon reaching the age limit, the applicant may be granted a reduction of up to one-third of their legally mandated compulsory military service period. (c) if a conscript sustains injuries during their service period, the remaining period of service after the date of injury may be reduced. Section 15(a) of the Compulsory Military Service Law stipulates that the Central Committee for Conscription, when reviewing applications from individuals called up by the regional or state committees for conscription, may temporarily postpone the compulsory military service obligation for individuals who: (a) have received a recommendation from the relevant military medical examination board stating they do not meet the temporary fitness standards for military service, (b) are civil servants, (c) are students, (d) are caring for elderly parents with no other caregivers, (e) are undergoing treatment for drug addiction, or (f) are serving a prison sentence.