UAE announces compulsory military service for males.

[Al Bhatti]

March 4, 2014

Benefits await Emiratis who complete military service

Young people who try to dodge compulsory military service face a jail sentence, but there is a raft of benefits on offer to those who sign up.

Young people who try to dodge compulsory military service face a jail sentence, but there is a raft of benefits on offer to those who sign up.

They will have priority in job placements and promotions and for marriage and land loans, and the Armed Forces will fund their continued education.

Emirati men aged 18 to 30 will be banned from travelling outside the country or enrolling at university here or abroad without a military card or a legal document showing their military status.

And service to the country need not be in the Armed Forces: it can be completed with the Ministry of Defence, the Ministry of Interior or State Security, according to the 44-article draft law being studied by a Federal National Council committee.

The law is being fast-tracked through the legislative process and is expected to be implemented by the end of the year.

All Emirati men between the ages of 18 and 30, or those who have completed secondary school, will be required to sign up for military service.

They must have a record of good conduct and be medically fit to serve. Participation in political or banned organisations makes them ineligible.

Service terms will be nine months for those who have completed secondary school and two years for those who have not. For women, service is optional and lasts nine months.

Men who have completed their military service will become part of the reserve forces until the age of 58, or 60 for officers.

Reserves will be called up for training, national emergencies and times of war or military threat.

All workplaces, whether government or private, will be required to allow Emirati employees time to complete their service. The employee may be replaced temporarily, but must be given the same job upon return.

Salaries will continue to be paid, with those in the private sector receiving half from their companies and half from the Armed Forces. Those in the federal and government sector will receive full salaries from their agencies.

When the law is passed, all UAE nationals will be required to register with the military. Bylaws will be passed by Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed, Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces.

Anyone who does not present himself for service before the age of 30, or who tries to avoid it, faces one month to one year in prison, and/or a fine of Dh10,000 to Dh50,000. In both cases military service is required before the sentence is imposed.

Reservists who do not respond to call-ups during threats or war face up to 10 years in prison. Ignoring reserve training can also result in a prison term.

There are exemptions for only children, and temporary exemption for a son who is the sole breadwinner for a parent, brothers and sisters or an unmarried sister.

National Service may be postponed in times of peace for students who are under 29, those who finish secondary school with a grade higher than 90 per cent, or those who have not yet finished secondary school. Only one postponement is permitted, and those who use it must still complete military service later, even if they are over 30.

The Armed Forces, the Ministry of Defence, the Ministry of Interior and State Security will form a committee to oversee training on weapons and military and security operations, overseen by the National Service and Reserves Authority.

When the FNC committee finishes amending the draft law it will be passed to the full council for debate, and thereafter to the President, Sheikh Khalifa, for final approval.


Benefits await Emiratis who complete military service | The National

 

[Nishan_101]

UAE should have a regular Army of 300.000 Men that will be posted on its borders in 8 hours shift in 24/7.

 

[Al Bhatti]

June 7, 2014

A contingent force from the United Arab Emirates holding their national flag, stand at ease on the tarmac of Kuwait International Airport upon their arrival here 23 February 2003.


Law setting up national defence, reserve forces approved

Mandatory military service for Emirati men, training for women voluntary

A law introducing mandatory military service for all Emiratis aged between 18 and 30 and setting up a new national defence and reserve force has been endorsed by President His Highness Shaikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan.

Emirati men who have finished secondary school or aged between 18-30 will have to serve nine months, while those who have not will serve two years. The service will be optional for women, who may be trained for nine months, regardless of their education, according to the law.


The law, which will be enforced six months from the date of publishing in the official gazette, states that citizens who complete the mandatory military service will enjoy a range of benefits, including priority for taking up jobs in government institutions and private businesses, marriage grants, housing plots and scholarships, according to the draft law. Citizens who join illegal organisations will be disqualified from the service, the legislation said.


Citizens who fail to enlist for military service without valid reason until they reach 29 years of age will face a jail term of between one month and a year, or a fine ranging between Dh10,000 and Dh50,000 or both. They will have to undergo the military service even if they exceed the age limit of 30.

Executive rules will spell out alternative services and security training where these services can be offered and terms for exemption from military service for medical or other reasons.


A committee of the Federal National Council suggested achievers who have finished secondary school and scored 80 per cent be allowed to complete their studies before joining the national service.


The law as proposed by the government set 90 per cent marks as a condition for delaying the duty until a student gets a higher degree.


The law will require all men who have finished secondary school or aged between 18-30 to undergo military service. The service will be optional for women.


Emirati men aged 17 who have finished secondary school may join national service after approval is obtained from their parents.


Working Emiratis will not be exempt and, while serving in the military, time will be added to their end-of-service and pension benefits. Federal, and local departments as well as private sector businesses will be obliged to allow their Emirati workers to enlist for military service. They also have to keep their jobs or similar jobs open for them once they complete the service. The training will be optional for women.


However, citizens who fail to join the military and reserve service will face up to 10 years in prison, according to a draft law passed by the Cabinet in January.


The Federal National Council suggested that a tougher penalty of up to 15 years in prison be imposed on offenders found guilty of attempting to avoid military and reserve duty.


His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, said after the Cabinet passed the law national service would include military exercises, and those enlisted in the Armed Forces would receive additional security training, stressing that protecting the nation and preserving its independence and sovereignty is a sacred national duty.


Those eligible will have to report to authorities to determine their service status. The sole son of a family and medically unfit citizens would benefit from an exemption to military service. Those who sustain their parents or disabled siblings and those serving jail terms would benefit from a temporary exemption. Once the reason for temporary exemption is over, those people have to report to the authorities to undergo the military service.


Military service may be completed at the UAE Armed Force, the Ministry of Defence, the Ministry of Interior, the State Security Service and other institutions identified by the deputy supreme commander of the UAE Armed Forces.


The reserves will consist of those who have completed their national service and military personnel who have finished their time in the Armed Forces.


In November, Qatar’s government made a similar move approving a draft law mandating men in the Gulf country to do military service.


Under the legislation, Qatari men aged between 18 and 35 must serve in the military for three months if they are graduates, and four if they are not.


Kuwait is debating the reintroduction of compulsory military service, which had been cancelled after the Iraqi army invaded the country in 1990 and occupied it for seven months.


Compulsory military service is not applied in Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, and Oman, which instead rely on professional armies in their defence.

Law setting up national defence, reserve forces approved | GulfNews.com

 

[Al Bhatti]

June 7, 2014

Emiratis react positively to military service law
Military service will discipline and make citizens more appreciative

Emiratis on Saturday welcomed the new law mandating them to serve in the military, saying it’s an “honourable” way of giving back to a country that has given them so much.

The law was officially signed by President His Highness Shaikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan making it compulsory for Emirati men aged between 18 and 30 and medically fit to serve in the military for nine months if they have a high school degree, while those without will be required to serve for two years.

Females will also be eligible to enlist for the military, but it is optional, and they would have to take the permission of their legal guardians.

Part of the military service would require military training and exercises, as well as lectures on patriotism.

Gulf News spoke with Emiratis about the new law, and the reaction was positive.

Saeed Al Reyami said, “This is a very good thing; it will make the people more responsible, and it will also discipline them.”

“Many people are lazy these days as well as spoiled. They take what they have for granted, and don’t appreciate it. So this military service will make them realise what they have. It will make them appreciate how they are defended,” he added.

Al Reyami said compulsary military service will boost Emiratis’ loyalty to the country, further strengthen the military, and make it “safer”.

“This law should stand forever; people now are very childish, irresponsible; they don’t know how to live in the real world, and so this will be a very good thing,” Al Reyami said.

Fahd Mubarak, 25, who works as an executive in the goverment sector, is excited about the move.

“I’m excited about it. It is an honour to serve in the country’s military. I see no reason for it to be otherwise,” Mubarak said.

“When I was in high school I took a course in military training. So this is like an extension of that.”

Mubarak said serving in the military for Emiratis is important so that they can be ready in any eventuality in the future.

Essam Hassan Buhannad, 36, said military service will benefit Emiratis greatly. He knows this because he served in the military voluntarily from 1997 to 2001.

“I was 18 then. It taught me how to trust myself, how to love my country more, and it taught me survival skills,” he told Gulf News.

“Emirati men have to man up for this. Some of them just waste their time while they’re young. This is one way of giving back to our country, which has given us so much.”

Another Emirati, Badr Hilal Al Reyami, shared the same sentiments, and also spoke of how his own experience in military training helped him.

“I went for military training for around two months, and to this day it still helps me, so it is something very beneficial.”

“The military service will make people disciplined and strong. It will make people e more responsible because some people don’t know how to do a lot of things, so this will help them.”

Badr also believes the training will make both the military and country stronger in the long term.

“The military will increase in strength, because a lot of people will be joining and training during this period, and it will make the country become stronger. So I fully support this.”

Emiratis react positively to military service law | GulfNews.com

 

[Al Bhatti]

July 14, 2014

On parade: the first group of Emiratis register for military service at the Al Nahyan Recruitment Centre in Abu Dhabi.

Some of the first batch of Emirati teenagers register for military service yesterday at Al Nahyan recruitment centre in Abu Dhabi.

Emirati recruits report for registration for national military service

The first batch of excited recruits registered for national military on Sunday.

The Al Nahyan Recruitment Centre was packed with young Emiratis who were eagerly enrolling to play their part in the Armed Forces.

Students who graduated from high school this year and have reached their 17th birthday were asked to attend the centre for data registration, which will continue until Thursday at centres in Al Nahyan Camp in Abu Dhabi, Al Ain Camp, Rahmania Camp in Sharjah and Liwa Camp in Al Gharbia.

One of the recruits, Rashed Al Dhaheri, 18, arrived at Al Nahyan with friends who were also registering. He was asked to bring his passport, Emirates ID card, family book, high-school certificate and birth certificate.

“I don’t know what will happen next, but I am excited. I know we will have to do tough exercises and I am anticipating it,” he said, adding he was happy to “get out of his comfort zone” and serve his country.

Mohammed Al Maamari, also 18, said he too was excited to join the service, although he was worried about his education. “I wanted to start a new life in university but now I will have to see where the service will take me,” he said.

Mr Al Maamari said his father, who is in the military, had always encouraged him to join up.

“I am used to my father’s strict rules and I tried going to a camp once in high school. I know what will happen and I am used to similar circumstances,” he said.

“Being in the military service means I will help my country, the Armed Forces and myself.”

Ahmed Al Mansouri, 18, said he was looking forward to the military service. “The service will be good for us, it will teach us many values that have sort of started to fade away. It will give us patience and strength, so it will surely benefit us,” he said.

He said his family members had encouraged him. “My brothers and cousins told me ‘this is your country, your UAE, you must serve it and learn to defend it’.”

“That got me thinking about my country and gave me more pride in taking part in the service.”

Omar Al Hashmi, 18, was curious to find out what military experience would entail, but was worried about not being able to access his smartphone.

“I’ve heard we cannot use our phones or iPods and I am a big social media user. I don’t know if I will be able to handle it,” he said.

I will have to try to slowly stop using the devices,” he said.

He also said his family members were worried about his health and well-being.

“My mother, she worries a lot. She is worried I will not be given enough food,” he said.

His mother is now feeding him “lots of meat” so he will be in prime condition for the training, he said.

“I don’t play sports, just my PlayStation, which doesn’t count. Now that I have registered I will have to become fit,” he said.

After the registration procedures are over, the applicants must pass a medical.

They will then be informed by the end of August which camp they will serve in.

Graduates who have achieved a 90 per cent average or more during the last academic year will have the choice of entering the first batch of conscripts or postponing until they receive their university degree.

Those with averages lower than 90 per cent will be going the first batch if the conditions were fulfilled.

Students who have failed can postpone the recruitment until they have passed in the next academic year.

More information on national military service is available by calling 800 8880.


Emirati recruits report for registration for national military service | The National

 

[Al Bhatti]

July 13, 2014

Hundreds thronged recruitment centres in Abu Dhabi, Al Ain, the Western Region and Sharjah to register for compulsory military service.

An eager recruit undergoing a check-up at Al Nahyan Camp in Abu Dhabi on Sunday.

Young Emiratis sign up for military service
Say they are extremely happy to be first batch of recruits

Hundreds of young Emiratis on Sunday thronged recruitment centres in Abu Dhabi, Al Ain, the Western Region and Sharjah to register for compulsory military service.
Registration for Emirati men will last until July 17.

Emirati women who have finished secondary school this academic year are invited to sign up for national service from July 20 to 24.

Upbeat Emiratis said they were extremely happy to sign up for national service, which they said will strengthen patriotism and national identity among them.

“We are making history as we join the national service as the first exemplary batch, which is a big achievement and a matter of honour for us all,” said Ganem Al Junaibi of Emirates Private School.

Mohammad Khalfan Al Katbi echoed similar sentiments and said military service would instil loyalty and a sense of belonging in the country’s youth and cultivate a spirit of discipline and sacrifice to enable them to serve their country in all areas in the best possible way.

“Military service is an honour and sacred duty, which will help young citizens to rely on themselves and be prepared for defending our beloved country,” Al Katbi said.

Some 7,000 citizens, comprising the first batch of Emirati recruits, will be called up for national service by the beginning of September.

President His Highness Shaikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan approved the law introducing mandatory military service for all Emiratis aged between 18 and 30 last month.

Under the law, Emirati men who have finished secondary school will have to undergo military training for nine months, while those who have not will serve two years. The service will be optional for women, who may be trained for nine months after permission from their guardians, regardless of their education.

Saeed Al Efari said he was extremely happy and he could not sleep on Saturday night as he was looking forward to signing up so much.

Hamad Saleh Al Sa’ari said he was looking forward to the skills he would acquire through military service.

“We, young Emiratis, will approach tasks and jobs in the civilian world with the same self-discipline and we will contribute to the progress and prosperity our beloved nation,” Al Sa’ari said.

Loyalty to nation

Staff Major General Pilot Shaikh Ahmad Bin Tahnoun Al Nahyan, Chairman of National Service, said national service will mould Emirati youth into responsible citizens, reiterating that defending the nation and preserving its independence and sovereignty is a sacred national duty for every citizen.

He said patriotism and loyalty to the nation is their first and foremost duty. “You will preserve and defend those basic principles on which our nation has been built. Through military discipline, our youth will gain physical strength, endurance, knowledge, and spirit.”

Part of the military service will require military training and exercises, as well as lectures on patriotism.

Shaikh Ahmad called on young Emiratis to be ready to lead by example as discipline becomes a major part of their life, carries them through their time of military service and helps tremendously in their civilian life.

The law states that citizens who complete mandatory military service will enjoy a range of benefits, including priority for jobs in government institutions and private businesses, marriage grants, housing plots and scholarships. Citizens who join illegal organisations will be disqualified from the service, the legislation said.

Citizens who fail to enlist for military service without a valid reason until they reach the age of 29 will face a jail term of between one month and a year, or a fine ranging between Dh10,000 and Dh50,000 or both. They will have to undergo military service even if they exceed the age limit of 30.

The law states that citizens working in the federal government, local and private sectors who meet the law’s provisions will enrol in the national service. For recruits who are appointed in federal departments, local departments, and the private sector, their national service will be counted as service in these departments and sectors.

The new batch who will join the national service at the beginning of September will be drawn from across the emirates in line with the criteria set by the Armed Forces, according to Dr Ali Al Khoury, director-general of the Emirates Identity Authority.


How to register

Secondary school graduating class of 2013/2014 is invited to sign up for national service until July 17.

Woman graduates are called to register for national service from July 20- 24.

They have to produce originals and copies of their passports, Emirates ID cards, family books and secondary school certificates.

Recruitment centres are Al Nahyan Camp in Abu Dhabi, Al Ain Camp in Al Ain, Liwa Camp in the Western Region and Rahmaniya Camp in Sharjah.

Office times: 9am to 4pm and 9.30pm to 12 midnight.

Young Emiratis sign up for military service | GulfNews.com

 

[Al Bhatti]

August 4, 2014

Sheikha Fatima applauds Emirati women who signed up for national service

Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak, chairwoman of the General Women’s Union, has expressed her satisfaction with the response and enthusiasm of young Emirati women joining national service.

Sheikha Fatima, widow of the founding President Sheikh Zayed, received female officers who gave a presentation on the national service for women.

“We have proudly been seeing young Emirati women thronging recruitment centres to join up and express their loyalty to, and love for, their country, and their readiness to sacrifice for the sake of their country and for protecting its sovereignty, achievements and gains,” Sheikha Fatima, was quotes as saying by the state news agency Wam.

“We greet Emirati women for their deep allegiance and genuine belonging, selflessness, generosity and constant readiness to defend the nation and national gains.”

Sheikha Fatima noted the strong presence of Emirati women in all the units of the Armed Forces, including Air Force and Air Defence, and their ability to make it to the rank of brigadier.

She thanked all officials of National and Reserve Service Authority for their efforts and reiterated her support for them.

The deadline to register for national service was July 24.

Recruitment centres across the country said they had significant turnout from male and female applicants.

Graduates who have achieved a 90 per cent average or more during the past academic year will have the choice of entering the first batch of conscripts or postponing it until they receive their university degree.

Those with averages lower than 90 per cent will be going in the first batch if the conditions are fulfilled.

Students who have failed can postpone the recruitment until they have passed in the next academic year.


Sheikha Fatima applauds Emirati women who signed up for national service | The National

 

[Al Bhatti]

Related thread: UAE Women’s military college prepares for first batch of UAE national service recruits

 

[forcetrip]

TConscription means that EVERY male will get to serve.Are you sure you can control the muhajirs,balochi's.
I can safely say that almost all Punjabi males will create no problem.Punjabi's make better soldiers as compared to baloch,sindhi's and muhajirs.Of the 10 Nishan e Haider's.8 have gone to Punjabi's

By your statements it would be fair if someone calls Punjabis only good for one thing because of their low IQ and manji lassi culture. I would take offense to those assumptions just as much as your borderline retarded thought process.

 

[Al Bhatti]

August 27, 2014

National service rules relaxed to help female Emirati volunteer

A female Emirati who was denied the chance to sign up for national service has had the rules eased in her favour.

Wa’d Al Hammadi had her application rejected by Al Nahyan Camp, in the capital, after her father, who had been admitted to hospital, was unable to attend the registration process.

Emirati women are unable to volunteer unless given approval by a guardian.

After the case came to light, Sheikh Ahmed bin Tahnoun Al Nahyan, chairman of the National and Reserve Service Authority, ordered the registration procedures to be relaxed to allow Ms Al Hammadi to volunteer.

Military officials accompanied her to Sheikh Khalifa Medical City, where they were able to receive approval from her father.

One of seven girls in her family, Ms Al Hammadi encouraged other women - as well as her sisters - to volunteer, state news agency Wam said.

“The joining of our sons and daughters to the national service is the least we can give to this giving nation,” said her father, Yousif Al Hammadi.

National service rules relaxed to help female Emirati volunteer | The National

 

[Hiptullha]

We have a Standing Army - all of our soldiers are professional, career soldiers.

Conscription is for nations that can't build a standing army, or are in a process of building one.

Though i agree, that we do need to have something similar to the National Cadet Corps.



Didn't know eating all day in the officer's mess was considered a 'service'

I've heard that in Singapore or South Korea they do this involuntary military training for 6 months for all youth. I think Pakistan should introduce a program like this.

 

[Al Bhatti]

August 31, 2014

First national service recruits in UAE start training

Some 9,000 young Emiratis start national service induction training

More than 9,000 citizens, comprising the first batch of Emirati recruits, started the national service induction training on August 31.

“This day will go down in the annals of history as it’s the first time that mandatory military service has been introduced in the UAE,” said Major General Shaikh Ahmad Bin Tahnoun Al Nahyan, chairman of the National and Reserve Service Authority.

A law passed earlier this year requires all men to enlist at some point between the ages of 18 and 30. The service is optional for women.

The length of service is set to be two years for those without high school degrees, and nine months for those who have graduated from high school.

For women, the voluntary training will last for nine months, regardless of their qualifications.

Shaikh Ahmad said national service is meant to engage all members of Emirati society in serving their homeland.

“The training will shape the behaviour of young men and women through discipline and acculturation into the military system,” Shaikh Ahmad added.

Shaikh Ahmad stressed the national service also aims to turn the Emirati community into a strategic asset of the armed forces and empower more young leaders.

“The service includes a wide range of significant training courses aimed at helping these young recruits develop their creative skills and capabilities to take part in meaningful and effective community engagements,” Shaikh Ahmad said.

The national service, Shaikh Ahmad said, will have a positive impact on the lives of young Emiratis. “The Armed Forces have a moral duty towards this young generation and we devote our time and efforts to play an important role to empower them and provide them with the necessary skills that would enable them to give back to their country and create a positive social impact,” he said.

Shaikh Ahmad said during the first three weeks, recruits will receive a series of induction training and lectures that will explain what they can expect to experience during national service training.

The induction for women will last for two weeks. Following the induction period, recruits will be given a weekly rest and once they are distributed to the specialised units, their hours of duty will be that of the Armed Forces.

According to the federal draft law, the protection of UAE, its independence and sovereignty represent a sacred national duty for each Emirati.

It said that the national service will “polish youth personalities and boost national spirit to meet future challenges”.

The UAE announced plans to introduce compulsory military service in January.

First national service recruits in UAE start training | GulfNews.com

 

[Arabian Legend]

 

[al-Hasani]

Looking surprisingly fit. Not one single overweight person there. (No, I am not fat myself.) Male nor female. How I wish that KSA announced compulsory military service too. Both male and female.

Good luck to the bunch there.

If I had power I would force all those overweight youngsters in the GCC to enlist in the army. Win-win situation. They are a burden on the society economically wise and when they will grow older they will become an even bigger burden. Those people lack discipline by large. The army could deal with this.

Females should not be exempt.

I think that I will write a long letter to the authorities regarding this topic or inform the higher circles directly through family sources and others.

Obesity is becoming a big problem in some GCC states if not all. This was never prevalent in history before although we Arabs always liked to eat well and much, LOL. Having said that then a compulsory military service could be A PART of the solution. I have no doubt that the wise leadership of UAE thought about this angle too before announcing this decision. Can't imagine otherwise.

So KSA leadership - please announce something similar. At least for us males but the females should be included too.

6 or 9 months would do.

 

[InvisbleSoldier]

Good choice. Every single person should be allowed to learn. My all time wish since years that our country implement the same.