The Honourable Homecoming Journey of People’s Military Service Members (Part II)

By Min Khant

The third option is a programme run by the Ministry of Labour that connects individuals who do not wish to become government employees but want to work in the domestic and international private sectors. Under this programme, the Ministry of Labour, in cooperation with the Union of Myanmar Federation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry (UMFCCI), will prioritize hiring those who have completed their military service in companies, factories, and workshops. The discipline, ability to cooperate harmoniously with organizations, leadership and management skills, as well as physical fitness and proper moral character of the military veterans, who have been systematically trained and nurtured by the military, are invaluable human resources for the private sector. That is why entrepreneurs are willingly welcoming them. Furthermore, the Ministry of Labour, in cooperation with foreign employment agencies, is arranging to give special priority to those who have completed their military service when sending workers abroad.

For people’s military service members who wish to choose the second and third options, the “Employment Management Committee on Military Veterans” has arranged a special programme. This programme is designed to arrange for those wishing to enter either government service or private sector employment to have the opportunity to attend training courses to acquire solid vocational skills that will be beneficial in their chosen field of work. Relevant ministries, including the Ministry of Border Affairs, the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Irrigation, the Ministry of Cooperatives and Rural Development, the Ministry of Industry, the Ministry of Labour, the Ministry of Science and Technology, and the Ministry of Social Welfare, Relief and Resettlement, are working in harmony to enable them to properly learn comprehensive vocational skills. Preparations have already been made for them to be able to attend over 100 types of training courses that will be run at training schools across the country.

These courses are categorized into short-term, medium-term, and long-term programmes. The subjects to be taught will include industrial and technical skills such as electrical power, mechanics, construction, welding, computer repair, and mobile phone repair. Furthermore, training will also broadly include agricultural and livestock breeding technologies, hotel services, and management-related skills. The state will bear the cost for most of these courses, and accommodation and meals will also be provided free of charge, making this an excellent opportunity that youth performing military service should not miss for their life advancement.

The essence of these training programs is much deeper and broader than merely providing simple vocational skills. Young people who complete the systematically arranged training programmes provided by the state will transition from being unskilled labourers to becoming valuable, skilled labourers with practical leadership abilities in the workplace, thereby elevating their standard of living. To achieve these significant goals, the government is strategically coordinating with the National Skills Standards Authority (NSSA) to put an emphasis on these programmes.

Long-term trainees will receive Certificates of Recognition for their skills, which are systematically designed and set to meet not only domestic but also international standards. Hence, for those aspiring to work abroad, this certificate will enable them to confidently enter the international job market with credentials that are acknowledged. These comprehensively trained military veterans will be the best ones to fill the human resource needs in modernizing industrial zones, bustling construction sites, and various service sectors. They will undoubtedly become the most reliable and valuable human resources for driving the nation’s economy.

The fourth and final option is for those who do not wish to become soldiers or government employees but want to return to their native homeland to engage in private businesses, including agriculture and livestock farming. For them, the Ministry of Cooperatives and Rural Development and the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Irrigation are ready to help create job opportunities. It is good news to hear that those who have fulfilled their military service will not only be able to return to their former jobs when they return to their communities. For those wishing to start new businesses, the Ministry of Cooperatives and Rural Development will provide necessary capital and loans in accordance with regulations, while the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Irrigation will provide technical support for agricultural and livestock enterprises.

As the future journey of these people’s military service personnel, who have served their full term, is being planned and facilitated from multiple angles, full medical treatment is also being undertaken for those who sustained injuries to their limbs while performing defence duty during the prescribed period. Throughout their hospital stay, they continue to be recognized as active service personnel and are granted full salary and allowances without any deduction. In addition, they are being provided with training in practical vocational skills suitable for their health condition, such as computer repair, tailoring, hairdressing, and home electrical appliance repair, to ensure a stable livelihood. It has also been reported that they will be selected and appointed to positions matching their skills in State-owned factories, companies, and relevant ministries.

I believe that military veterans will feel satisfied and proud of these systematic arrangements made by the Government and the Tatmadaw, from the initial call-up through to the completion of their duty and their future homecoming journey. In truth, these people’s military service members transitioned from ordinary civilian youth to the noble status of serving military personnel through the people’s military service call-up assembly points. Through systematic nurturing and training, they have overcome challenges and, while performing their duties during the prescribed period, have personally experienced and understood the hardships, sacrifices, and commitments of military personnel. Therefore, upon returning to their hometowns as military veterans, they will proudly emerge as a strong force building mutual trust and understanding between the civilian and military societies, and will be able to stand with high dignity in their communities.

This law, which came into effect on 10 February 2024, marked a unique and remarkable new milestone in the history of national defence and the armed forces. All citizens must acknowledge with pride and joy that this honourable historic landmark was made possible by the tremendous achievements of good citizens cum people’s military service members, and will soon be returning home.

The people’s military service members, who will return home in victory, have successfully overcome the unsolicited criticisms and disruption from countries, organizations, and individuals that opposed the state and the armed forces when the People’s Military Service Law came into effect. Particularly, armed terrorist insurgent groups are experiencing firsthand the courage and great mental strength of people’s military service members on the battlefields. This is precisely why those terrorist insurgents and opponents of the government are attempting to delay and obstruct the people’s military service processes. In doing so, they are agitating and harassing through social media platforms with groundless misinformation, such as claims that youth are being forcibly detained for military service, that those who have completed their service are being compelled to serve further, and that women are being registered for military service.

Amidst these criticisms, attacks, and harassments, the youth who have fulfilled their people’s military service duty are the ones who have bravely opened a new chapter in the nation’s history. The rare experiences they have gained over the two years, their discipline as strong as steel, and their robust mental strength will become invaluable assets for their lives. The government is also making multifaceted arrangements to ensure that these good citizens cum the people’s military service personnel, can smoothly and peacefully traverse a proud and honourable future homecoming journey. This is being done through concrete job creation plans, practical vocational training, and precise, firm policies.

Accordingly, the People’s Military Service Law will not only enhance the nation’s defence capabilities but will also greatly contribute to improving civil-military relations. Furthermore, this article is written with joy and pride that the dutiful, good citizens, who have successfully fulfilled their military service duty, will soon be returning to civilian society with honour and dignity. They will then actively participate as a new force in various sectors of national development.

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