Myanmar’s Military Imposes Mandatory 5-Year Army Service, Noncompliance May Lead to Imprisonment

The military council announced the activation of the militia service law, which was enacted in 2010 by former dictator General Than Shwe’s decree. This law mandates all adults to serve in the army for a maximum of 5 years.

According to the law, the military can conscript ordinary civilians, men between the ages of 18 and 35, and women between the ages of 18 and 27, for up to two years. For individuals educated in industrial arts or other professions, the age range for military service is 18 to 45 years old for men and 18 to 35 years old for women. In emergency situations, the period of military service can be extended up to 5 years.

The law also specifies that refusal of military service can result in imprisonment for up to 5 years. Exemptions from military service include parishioners, married women, individuals with permanent disabilities of any limb, those with military certification of substandard health, and those exempted by the Central Organization of Militia Service Summons.

Source: Myanmar Now