ISP On Point

No. 20 l February 16, 2024

PANDEMONIUM
The Conscription Law and Five Negative Potential Consequences

When a nation collectively chooses the path of securitization and militarization,

it inevitably incurs an opportunity cost in the development and productivity
of the nation impeding for generations to come.

Myanmar military column seen after the bombing incident

STR/AFP

at Gote Twin police station, Nawnghkio Township, Shan State in 2019.

 Pandemonium
The Conscription Law and Five Negative Potential Consequences
ISP On Point

n Events by the need to recruit soldiers

in response to their depletion and the
The State Administration Council (SAC) inefficacy of previous recruitment
declared the enforcement of “the People’s methods, compounded by diminishing
Military Service Law”*, which is commonly public support. The second part of the
known as the conscription law, on analysis focuses on how the SAC will
February 10, 2024, which requires all male implement the law. The third part
citizens aged 18 to 35 and all female examines the five negative potential
citizens aged 18 to 27 to perform consequences following the
mandatory military service in the junta implementation of the conscription law
armed forces. Despite the absence of in the conflict-prone Myanmar:
active warfare with other nations,
in light of the junta’s unprecedented 1. More widespread human rights
losses amid post-coup conflict, the violations under increased
declaration of this conscription law has oppression;
fueled panic among the country’s 2. Increased corruption and extortion
14 million youth and their families. at all levels of the regime;
On February 13, the SAC established 3. The possibility of mass migrations;
the Central Body for Summoning People’s 4. Escalating divisive tensions along
Military Servants (the central recruitment racial, religious, and regional lines,
body) to oversee implementation of the as military recruitment will target rural
conscription law, revealing plans to and impoverished Burmese and tribal
commence in April, with each cohort youth in regions where no ethnic
comprising 5,000 recruits and a total of armed organization present;
60,000 annually. The “Reserve Forces 5. The likelihood of youths, especially in
Law,” which mandates the recall of retired conflict regions and nearby, joining
soldiers for service, was also proclaimed Ethnic Armed Organizations (EAOs)
effective on the same day. or the People’s Defense Forces (PDFs).

ISP-Myanmar’s research reveals that

n Preliminary Analysis military leaders have sought to increase
Myanmar's Armed Forces (MAF) size
A three-part analysis can be done to approximately one per cent of the
regarding the SAC’s recent activation of country’s population since the reign of
the conscription law. The first part Snr. Gen. Than Shwe in the early 1990s.
highlights the necessity for the Myanmar With a population of over 50 million, the
military to implement the mandatory objective is to collect over 500,000
military service law, primarily driven troops. An ideal battalion was to be

* More details about the law are discussed in the later section of this OnPoint.
This ISP OnPoint No. 20 (English version) is published on February 20, 2024 as a translation of the original Burmese
version published on February 16, 2024.

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 Pandemonium
The Conscription Law and Five Negative Potential Consequences
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made up of about 720-750 (814–857 The Office of Adjutant General determines

in the early days) troop members the deployment of the newly recruited
including 30–60 officers. However, troops after their training is complete. The
no battalions were fully formed as planned battalions may not automatically end up
since then. When the target was not filling their recruitment quotas with the
achieved, each battalion was ordered new soldiers they recruited. The Office of
to recruit at least ten new soldiers every Adjutant General prioritizes requirements
month. At that rate, the combined army, for battalions with fewer than 200 soldiers,
air force, and navy, consisting of over indicating that average military battalions
800 battalions, would require to recruit aim to hold at least 200 soldiers.
at least 8,000 new soldiers per month.
Again, this goal was never realized. During Additionally, each battalion under the
the years 2000 to 2020, an average of command of Light Infantry Divisions (LID)
approximately 1,000 recruits were is expected to maintain around 350
enlisted per month. With voluntary enlists soldiers to reach full force capacity. After
declining over time, these low recruitment that, battalions under Regional Military
numbers were mainly achieved through Commands (RMC) are aimed to fill with
forced conscription and buying and selling around 300 soldiers. New recruits who
by army recruiters. Meanwhile, among the finished middle school level (eighth grade
recruits, the desertion rate averages in public education) are often selected
around 400 individuals per month, and reassigned to the technical and
resulting in a net of only 600. non-combatant support corps as needed.

n The Big Gap

Expected and Actual Figures of Myanmar Armed Forces (MAF)

ISP-Myanmar’s research reveals that military leaders have sought to strengthen the MAF to approximately one percent of the
country’s population since the reign of Snr. Gen. Than Shwe. With a population of over 50 million, the objective is to collect over
500,000 troops. However, the military only had over 200,000 forces even at their peak, and the number dwindled before the 2021
coup, reaching around 160,000 soldiers. Following the coup, the military’s strength could decrease to less than 100,000.

Myanmar military leaders’ expected figures

since Snr. Gen. Than Shwe’s reign 500,000+

Myanmar military’s actual figures at its peak 200,000+

Myanmar military’s actual figures before the 2021 coup 160,000+

Myanmar military’s actual figures following the 2021 coup 100,000-

Note: The data presented is derived from ISP-Myanmar’s research. Actual data may vary due to the limitations in data access and
potential variations in methodologies employed in the research.

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 Conflict, Peace and Security
ISP Data Matters

n Deteriorating Size of the Myanmar Armed Forces Battalions

After expanding the MAF in the 1990s, the military leaders sought to recruit an average of 720–750 forces (814–857 in the early
days) per battalion. As this goal was never met and recruitment declined, attempts were made to maintain a minimum of 200
troops in each battalion, 350 in each battalion under the Light Infantry Divisions (LID), and 300 in each battalion under the Region-
al Military Commands (RMC). However, leaked information in July 2023 revealed that the Light Infantry Battalion (LIB No. 144) only
listed a total of 132 troops for the entire battalion. Similarly, during the Operation 1027, LIB (129) surrendered in Laukkai with only
126 soldiers, and LIB (125), which surrendered in Konkyan, had only 93 soldiers.

800
Targeted number for a battalion
720-750

600
Number of Forces

Average downward trend line of

actual number of forces
in a battalion
400

Targeted minimum number for a battalion

200 200-350

0
1988 1998 2008 2018 2023

Note: The data presented is derived from ISP-Myanmar’s research and Dr. Maung Aung Myoe’s (2009) book, “Building the Tatmadaw: Myanmar Armed Forces Since 1948.”
Actual data may vary due to the limitations of data access and possible variations in methodologies employed in the research.

n Estimates of Annual Recruits

After expanding the Myanmar armed forces (MAF), various recruitment methods were employed to meet the targeted recruitment
goals. The primary objective was for each battalion to add ten soldiers per month, with all battalions collectively recruiting 8,000
per month and 96,000 recruits per year. However, this target was not achieved, and from 2000 to 2020, the average annual re-
cruitment was around 12,000 new soldiers. Taking into account an average desertion rate of 4,800 people per year, the net aver-
age force expansion was only 7,200 troops.

The net average force

The MAF aimed for
expansion was
96,000 recruits per year
only 7,200 per year.
but failed to recruit 84,000.

= 1,000

Estimated for annual recruitment figures based on

data from the years 2000–2020.
Average desertion rate of
4,800 recruits per year

Net average force numbers Deserters Recruitment gap

Note: The data presented is derived from ISP-Myanmar’s research. Actual data may vary due to the limitations in data access and
potential variations in methodologies employed in the research.

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The Conscription Law and Five Negative Potential Consequences
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Despite using various recruitment the military to oversee training and assign
methods, ISP-Myanmar’s research found duties to the conscripted individuals are
that the Myanmar military had only over also parts of the preparation process.
200,000 forces at its peak. This number Interdepartmental cooperation is also
dwindled even before the 2021 coup, needed, as well as additional defense
reaching around 160,000 soldiers. budget must be allocated for the new
recruits. Therefore, the SAC spokes-
The force's number further declined person mentioned that the training of the
after the coup due to casualties, health first cohort will be conducted after the
problems, desertions, and joining the Civil Myanmar New Year Water Festival
Disobedience Movement (CDM), resulting (Thingyan Festival) in April. The next steps
in fewer than 100,000 troops. For the army after completing the list will be
to replenish this depletion and regain its summoning through conscription notice
previous military strength, approximately letters and conducting medical checks,
100,000 new soldiers are needed. which could take around two months.
An additional 400,000 soldiers are Therefore, the first cohort might
required to meet their original goal. commence training as early as June and
The enforcement of mandatory military as late as August. If the training duration
service is notable against the backdrop of can be considered four to five months,
the military's lack of public support and the training for the first cohort will
failures in recruitment. The SAC said they conclude either in November,
aim to enlist 5,000 new recruits monthly, December 2024 or in January 2025.
starting in April 2024, and thus 60,000
yearly. Examining this, it appears that the
objective is to restore the military’s n Scenario Forecast
strength to pre-coup levels within
the first year of recruitment. For Myanmar's Armed Forces (MAF),
which is facing humiliating defeats
Although the conscription law has been in recent conflicts, solely relying on
activated, its implementation process will recruiting new personnel without
take time. While the central recruitment contemplating reforms in the leadership
body was formed within days of and strategy of the security sectors will
enactment, lower-level committees are not work. The entire national security and
yet to be formed, and detailed by-laws defense policy and the whole vision of the
and procedures are yet to be declared and military will need to be restructured.
enforced. Preparation time is needed to A comprehensive political framework that
identify the list of eligible individuals who instills belief in democracy and a federal
fit the enlisting criteria for military service. vision for all citizens has yet to be
Additionally, establishing institutions at established. Without these policies and
the central, region/state, township, and framework in place, the forced
ward/village levels to compile the recruits, conscription of citizens could potentially
and establishing a new directorate within strain the relationship between the whole

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The Conscription Law and Five Negative Potential Consequences
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n 14 Million Eligible For Conscription

The SAC announced that 14 million Myanmar citizens (6.3 million males and 7.7 million females) are eligible to be called to serve
for the military service. This total figure constitutes over 27 per cent of Myanmar’s over 51 million total population. In other words,
one in four persons can be called to serve for the SAC. Based on the inter-censal survey conducted in 2019, there are 11.3 million
males between 15 to 44 years of age and 8.8 million females between 15 and 34 years of age.

7.7 million females

eligible for draft

Non-targeted group of
over 37 million people

6.3 million males

eligible for draft

Source: ISP-Myanmar calculations based on the data from the 2019 inter-censal survey and figures published by the SAC.

Myanmar society and the MAF to a point corruption at all levels within the regime,
where it is completely irreconcilable. affecting the entire society. Incidents of
bribery between individuals seeking to
The first potential consequence of evade military service and civil-military
implementing the conscription law during authorities may become widespread.
the peak of the civil war is widespread There is no sustainable way to curb such
human rights violations. Such violations corruption in Myanmar. In other countries,
are likely to occur throughout the cases of corruption often arise during the
recruitment, training, and deployment process of determining individuals unfit
phases. Individuals may face oppression for military service or in attempting
and discrimination based on factors like replacements.
place of residence, age, ethnicity, faith
and religion, economic status, and gender A third potential consequence is the mass
orientation. Currently, there are reports of migration of working forces to neighboring
the military abducting people and forcibly countries, leading to brain drain.
recruiting in certain areas. While the SAC Individuals with the financial means and
has dismissed some of these reports as access to opportunities are seen
false information, the conscription law massively leaving the country within days
could legitimize such incidents. of the law taking effect. The Royal Thai
Embassy in Yangon has announced that it
A second potential consequence is that can only process 400 visa applicants per
this law will open avenues for bribery and day as massive applications rush in

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ISP Data Matters

n History of Myanmar’s Conscription Law

The Conscription Act of 1959 The People's Military Service Law The Reserve Forces Law

Enacted on Mar 11, 1959; Enacted on Nov 4, 2010; Enacted on Nov 4, 2010;
Amended twice in 1962.
enforced on Jul 8, 1962. enforced on Feb 10, 2024. enforced on Feb 13, 2024.

n Who Can Be Enlisted?

Eligibility Male Female

Youth Age 18–35 Age 18–27

Experts
(medical doctor, engineer, technician, Age 18–45 Age 18–35
and other skilled professionals)

Military service personnels are bound by the provisions of The Defence Service Act.1959. If they face disciplinary measures under this Act,
they are required to fulfill their service obligations at the end of receiving punishment.

n Military Service Terms

Normal eligible person for military service 2 years -

The MAF holds the authority to classify an individual

MAF Technicians and Experts 3 years
as a technician.

The SAC extended the state of emergency by

During state of emergency 5 years
another six months on January 31, 2024

n Who Can Be Exempted?

Who can be exempted? Who can defer?

Religious workers Individuals (temporarily) unfit for military service

(only for Buddhists, Christians, and Hindus) as decided by the MAF Medical Unit

Married women Students enrolled in universities, colleges,

or divorcee with child(ren) or schools of science recognized by the SAC

Individuals with (lifelong) physical disabilities Sole caregivers of elderly parents

Individuals (permanently) unfit for military service

Individuals undergoing drug rehabilitation
as decided by the MAF Medical Unit

Exempted individuals announced by Deferred individuals must serve the full period of service
the Central Recruitment Body after deferral even if they are overage

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 Pandemonium
The Conscription Law and Five Negative Potential Consequences
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(Thailand is the immediate or temporary Concurrently, the number of internally

popular destination for people from displaced persons (IDPs) due to conflict
Myanmar). In addition to leaving the has been pushing to five million (as of
country through this avenue, some January 2024). Among these displaced
individuals may opt for illegal means to individuals, a significant portion comprises
leave the country and considering that young labor forces. Consequently,
the law also applies to expatriate citizens, the implementation of the conscription
some may even go so far as to perman- law might potentially exacerbate the
ently leave the country. Myanmar’s mass country’s labor shortage problem due to
migration combined with current nearly increased emigration and evasion abroad.
five million conflict refugees may pose This could severely impact Myanmar’s
a threat to regional stability. already weakened economic production
sectors, and the substantial migration and
Based on the 2019 inter-censal survey, departure from the country may lead to
Myanmar has around 1.6 million people significant capital outflows and negative
employed overseas (accounting for over repercussions for the weak economy of
three per cent of the nation’s population). the country.
Among these, two thirds opted for
Thailand as their destination. As per the The fourth potential consequence is that
World Bank’s report in 2017, five per cent recruitment will target primarily young
of Myanmar’s population has migrated people in rural areas, potentially affecting
abroad, making it one of the highest impoverished youth more severely. At the
outbound migration rates in Southeast same time, it could also target Burmese
Asia. In a report published by the and minority youths from areas with no
International Food Policy Research significant insurgency groups and armed
Institute (IFPRI) in March 2023, it was conflicts. Therefore, coercing these
revealed that 3.6 million people in young people into military training and
Myanmar, equivalent to 6.5 per cent deploying them to the battlefield risks
of the country’s population, relocated exacerbating societal divisions and
during the six months under examination. animosities based on class, race, religion,
Among these, more than 604,000 fled due and region throughout the country.
to conflicts, while over two million Here, it is worth considering the
relocated in pursuit of employment. enlistment of new recruits by certain
ethnic armed groups in northern Shan
Data from ISP-Myanmar’s monthly socio- State in addition to the recruitment efforts
economic survey covering 110 townships by the SAC. The Arakan Army (AA) and
across the country also indicates similar Ta’ang National Liberation Army (TNLA)
trends. In 2023, 85 townships out of the principally recruit based on ethnicity,
110 townships studied across the country whereas the Myanmar National
(approximately 77 per cent) reported a Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA)
consistent outflow of migrant workers recruits individuals from its territory
seeking job opportunities abroad. without regard to ethnicity or religion.

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The Conscription Law and Five Negative Potential Consequences
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n Recruitment Policy of Some EAOs in Northern Shan State

thnic armed organizations (EAOs) operated in northern Shan State annually recruit
civilians from the region, based on the policies of “One person per household is obli-
gated to shoulder the ethnic duty” and “One should serve the civic duty”. The recruit-
ment systems vary among different groups: some groups recruit solely based on ethnicity,
while others are not limited by ethnicity nor religion. The Ta’ang National Liberation Army
(TNLA) exclusively recruits Ta’ang ethnic people, whereas the Myanmar National Demo-
cratic Alliance Army (MNDAA) recruits individuals without regard to ethnicity or religion.

The recruitment method employed by the EAOs involves compiling a population data of the
towns and villages within their active, dominant, and controlled territories, and recruiting
young people aged 15 to 16 years and older. Young men within a certain age range are sum-
moned either through draft notice letters or by deploying troops from the recruitment de-
partment to bring them from their homes. Additionally, a system is in place whereby if an
individual evades recruitment, their father or another family member is apprehended and
only released when the evader enters service. Certain exemptions from military service
exist for individuals who are the sole caregivers for their parents, religious workers, those
actively engaged in education and healthcare for their community, or those with family
members already serving in the respective EAOs.

Additionally, individuals pursuing higher education are often granted temporary exemp-
tion from military service. In normal situations, this model is followed. However, in urgent
situations where there is a need to quickly fill the army with new recruits, the recruitment
process may involve directly ordering villages to provide a certain number of recruits by
certain deadlines, or by randomly arresting young people found on the streets and forc-
ing them for conscriptions. Typically, new recruits undergo three months of basic military
training and are required to commit to serving for a minimum of two years. Following the
completion of basic military training, they are not only assigned to combat duties but
also other various departments within the organization. Some recruits may be stationed
in their own communities to serve as part of the people’s militias. Upon the conclusion of
their service periods, they are not allowed to dissociate from the organization. Attempt-
ing to escape from the military service is treated as “unauthorized absence,” which may
result in potential arrest and punishment. Those who flee with weapons and ammunition
may face the death penalty. n

Note: EAOs do not usually disclose their recruitment policies. Only during Operation 1027,
has TNLA disclosed their recruitment policy and rules, which have been employed
since July 2017. ISP-Myanmar delineates the recruitment patterns experienced by
civilians in northern Shan State over the past decade.

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n Countries with Mandatory Military Service

Of 195 countries around the world, 86 (44.1 per cent) have a conscription law for mandatory military service. Myanmar’s neighbor-
ing countries, China, Laos and Thailand, and other regional countries: Indonesia, Singapore and Vietnam, have enacted such law.
According to Freedom House’s rating on individual freedoms, which are generally defined by people’s access to political rights and
civil liberties, among these 86 countries, six are considered free, 13 partly free, and 17 not free. Freedom House’s list did not include
data for the remaining 50 countries.

n Conscription law

86 Countries with
conscription law
Total
195 Countries
109 Countries without
conscription law

n Freedom House’s Global Freedom Scores

13
Free

Partly free
86 countries with
conscription law Not free
50
17 N/A

Source – World Population Review and Freedom House

A system is in place whereby the father or adequate military strength, urging locals
another family member of an individual to enlist in their army.
evading recruitment is apprehended.
Those who desert the military can face In any scenario, recruitments and
re-arrest and punishment while fleeing deployments of the newly recruited for
with weapons and ammuni-tion could lead combat by various armed groups,
to the possibility of the death penalty. including the MAF, may affect not only the
The Shan State Progress Party (SSPP) relations among individuals of different
conveyed a message through social media ethnicities and geographies but also of
in Shan language (an ethnic language) the same populace. For instance, the SAC
that safeguarding a territory requires recently regained control of Kawlin town

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The Conscription Law and Five Negative Potential Consequences
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from the joint seizure of the Kachin surrender and desertion and the
Independence Army (KIA) and the diminishing public support for the regime
People’s Defense Forces (PDF), where the means disincentives for young men to lay
National Unity Government (NUG) their lives on the line to support its
established administration. In this event, continued rule. While the SAC asserts that
SAC reports narrated that the young and evading the military service law and joining
middle-aged villagers formed defense other armed groups is punishable under
groups and collaborated with nearby existing laws, youth in conflict zones
military commands to resist the KIA and often just brush off these threats.
PDF forces’ oppression and revolt against
them. The SAC created these narratives Last year marked the 75th anniversary of
portraying local people resisting the independence, similarly, civil war also
insurgencies and siding with the MAF. turned 75 years. However, this year has
According to the provisions of the again witnessed an escalation in conflict.
People’s Military Service Law, recruits, The implementation of the People’s
upon completing their training, may Military Service Law at this juncture could
choose to serve in the locations and potentially catalyze an expansion and
regions of their preference for the impacts of conflict within society.
specified duration. The ensuing conflicts The fact that ethnic armed forces will be
would involve warfare among each other simultaneously compelled to recruit and
resulting in adverse consequences for the bolster their military capabilities is also
society, particularly for the impoverished. significant. Without focusing on a
In this case, racial and social justice fault comprehensive peace process while
lines in society would likely widen. the military forces are expanding at an
accelerated rate and subsequent
On the other hand, there is a potential for expansion of conflict, Myanmar’s armed
some youths, particularly those from conflict level is unlikely to be reduced in
conflict areas, to opt for joining Ethnic the foreseeable future. Being forced to
Armed Organizations (EAOs) or the serve in the military for a set duration –
People’s Defense Forces (PDF) groups. typically at least two years – during one’s
For instance, the youths of Rakhine, Chin youth comes with an opportunity cost at
and Karen ethnicities would rather join an individual level as well as at the society
EAOs that represent their ethnicities. level. When a nation collectively chooses
Youths from the dry zone and areas where the path of securitization and militariza-
the majority is Bamar ethnic would tion, it inevitably incurs an opportunity
similarly rather join the nearby PDFs or cost in the development and productivity
Local Defense Forces (LDFs) where their of the nation, impeding the country’s
close friends and acquaintances might be positive trajectory for generations to
located. In the past, enlisting in the MAF come. n
once provided a stable life and salary
without warfare. But since the coup,
with a high rate of casualties,

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 Discourse and Debate Regarding the Mandatory Military Service
ISP On Point

Appendix (1)

n Discourse and Debate Regarding the Mandatory Military Service

ven in modern Western democracies, there is some discourse on mandatory military

service that argues its essential role in providing their citizens with a sense of soli-
darity and nationhood, traits that are considered essential to the preservation of a
healthy democracy and as a means of imparting citizenship education. Presidents of the
United States encouraged national military service during the Cold War and many demo-
cratic nations practiced it. However, the enforcement of the People’s Military Service Law
in Myanmar is a different story, since the nation is amid escalating civil conflicts and not
under a democratic setting.

Proponents of mandatory national service often romanticize the citizen-soldiers as the

selfless defenders capable of resisting the oppression of the dictatorship. In direct con-
trast, opponents claim that the military itself is a purveyor of violence and loose morals.
These debates persist in the academic literature. “The military service obligation consti-
tutes a profound restriction of the citizen’s right to liberty. It is justified on the grounds that
the state can only fulfill its obligation to protect basic liberties and freedoms if it is assisted
by its citizens.”

From an economic perspective, mandatory national service serves as a means to provide

public goods at low cost, justifying collective financing of armed forces. However, the dis-
tortion of input prices through the conscript system and the resulting misallocation of pro-
duction factors make inefficient production highly likely. Additionally, conscription also
imposed a burden to the labor market by recruiting potential labor forces. It is therefore
important to consider the opportunity cost of individuals who will be enlisted for the man-
datory military service under the law. Moreover, such service could also jeopardize the na-
tional defense objectives, and eventually, the overall opportunity cost of the nation. If the
individuals have to engage in inefficient production for the self-interest of a particular
group, it may undermine the realization of genuine public goods. n

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Appendix (2)

n Myanmar’s Conscription Law – Five Things to Know

Historical Background

Myanmar’s conscription law was enacted on November 4, 2010, by the former military lead-
er, Snr. Gen. Than Shwe. The current State Administration Council (SAC) announced the
enforcement of this law on February 10, 2024, thirteen years after its enactment. The con-
scription law, mandating that citizens serve in the armed forces, was enacted in 1959 by
President Mahn Win Maung. It came into effect on July 8, 1962, and has undergone two
subsequent amendments. Sections 3851 and 3862 of the 2008 Constitution of Myanmar
also address military service of the civilians.

Here are five things to know about the newly enacted conscription law in Myanmar.

1. Who Is Eligible for Conscription?

Those subject to conscription include men aged 18 to 35 and women aged 18 to 27. Experts
(medical doctors, engineers, technicians, and other skilled professionals) are bound to
serve within the age ranges of 18 to 45 for men and 18 to 35 for women.

2. Exemption Criteria
Individuals eligible for exemption include religious workers, married women or divorcee with
child(ren), those with (lifelong) physical disabilities, and individuals marked as unsuitable
for military service by the MAF Medical Unit. Exemptions may also be granted to individuals
by the announcements of the Central Recruitment Body.

Religious workers are specifically identified only within the realms of Buddhism, Christiani-
ty, and Hinduism. In Buddhism, these include monks, novice monks, and nuns holding Reli-
gious Affiliation Certificates3. In Christianity, these include consecrated individuals recog-
nized by relevant churches, while in Hinduism, they include sannyasa and Hindu priests.

Deferred individuals include individuals flagged by the MAF Medical Unit for not meeting
health conditions for a temporary period, students4, sole caregivers of elderly parents and
individuals rehabilitating from drugs. However, these individuals must serve the full period
of service after deferral even if they are overage.

1
Every citizen has the duty to safeguard the independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar.
2
Every citizen has the duty to undergo military training in accord with the provisions of the law and to serve in the Armed Forces to defend the
Union.
3
To obtain a Religious Affiliation Certificate, the ward/village Sangha Nayaka Committee must submit the request to the township level Sangha
Nayaka Committee. The request is then reviewed and a certificate is issued based on the recommendation of relevant township Sangha Nayaka
leader, together with the Department of Immigration and the Department of Population.
4
Students from universities, colleges, and schools of science recognized by the government.

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 Myanmar’s Conscription Law – Five Things to Know
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3. Service Terms
The standard service period is set at two years. However, for those designated as MAF
Technicians5 or Experts, this period is extended to three years. In the event of a state of
emergency declaration, the service period is further extended to five years6.

4. Implementation Process of the law

Once the law is declared in force, certain procedural steps must be followed for the imple-
mentation. These include drafting and implementing regulations, establishing institutions
at the central, region/state, township, and ward/village levels to compile the recruits, and
establishing a department within the military to oversee training and assign duties to the
conscripted individuals. Roughly, it might take about two months to compile data of the
eligible population and conduct medical examinations. Therefore, the first cohort might
commence training as early as June and as late as August. Considering the training dura-
tion of four to five months, the training for the first cohort will conclude either in November
or December 2014 or in January 2025.

5. Conscription Target Population

The SAC announced that 14 million Myanmar citizens (6.3 million males and 7.3 million fe-
males) are eligible to be called to serve for the military service. This total figure constitutes
over 27 per cent of Myanmar’s over 51 million total population. In other words, one in four
persons can be called to serve for the SAC. Based on the Inter-censal survey conducted in
2019, there are 11.3 million males between 15 to 44 years old males and 8.8 million females
between 15 and 34 years of age.

The SAC is preparing to summon the initial batch of 5,000 recruits by the end of April, fol-
lowing the Thingyan festival. Their intention is to enlist recruits every month, aiming for a
yearly recruitment of 60,000 troops. Initially, the first four training cohorts will consist ex-
clusively of males, with females joining from the fifth cohort onward.

The SAC has assured that recruits will receive equivalent benefits in terms of salary, ex-
penses, and rations as existing members during their training and their service which fol-
lows. A noteworthy fact is that conscripted individuals can fulfill their duties for the speci-
fied period of time in locations of their choice. n

5
Individuals designated as technicians by the MAF.
6
A state of emergency has been declared and extended until July 2024.

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