Myanmar junta tries to re-enlist veterans back into military

The junta is attempting to convince veterans to rejoin the military, offering incentives such as a promised exemption from frontline service, according to retired soldiers who have been approached about re-enlisting. Three days after the military council announced on February10 that it would be enforcing a conscription law compelling men up to age 35 and women up to 27 to serve in the armed forces for at least two years, the junta also declared it would be putting the Reserve Forces Law back into action. The statute requires veterans to return to the military if they are asked to do so within five years of their discharge or retirement, which is allowed from age 62, raised from 60 in 2022. Anyone who fails to comply with a summons under the Reserve Forces Law faces up to three years in prison. Within a week of the announcement of the enforcement of the law—introduced under an earlier military regime headed by former dictator Than Shwe—officers from the veterans’ association began contacting retired soldiers who were eligible for re-recruitment, a 67-year-old former soldier told Myanmar Now. He said that a major got in touch with him and said that these “new” recruits would provide security in military-dominant neighbourhoods or work in military training centres. “They wouldn’t send us to the frontlines, considering our age,” the veteran said. “From what I understand, it depends on the health and fitness of the individual as there are people in their 60s who are still very strong, while there are also people in their 50s who are in poor health.” Another veteran who worked in the army’s communications department explained that former high-ranking officers had not expressed interest in rejoining the military, but around 70 privates and low-ranking officers had signed up again, including him. “Some actually want to rejoin the army because it allows them to illegally make money by conducting searches [of vehicles] on highways,” he told Myanmar Now, noting that rising prices of basic commodities and the scarcity of jobs left few options. According to 2019 data released during the administration of the elected and now ousted National League for Democracy government, there were around 250,000 retired military personnel in the country. In Myanmar’s military structure, lower ranking soldiers, such as privates, are regarded as “staff” and those from lieutenant and up are considered gazetted officers. Some 85 percent of those receiving military pensions are ranked as staff, and receive a maximum of 160,000 kyat, or around US$75, per month. Meanwhile, 91-year-old senior general Than Shwe is said to be given a pension of 3 million kyat ($1,425) monthly.

Myanmar junta tries to re-enlist veterans back into military

Under the Reserve Forces Law, army pensioners can be recalled for service within five years of retirement or coaxed back with promises of income

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