The Ministry of Defense explains the reason for not increasing the number of citizens enlisting in the military.

In response to the above proposals, the Ministry of National Defense stated that, in accordance with the Law on Military Service, citizens are called up for military service annually, and non-commissioned officers and soldiers who have completed their military service are discharged in one batch.

The number of citizens called up for military service is based on the organizational needs of the army and the regulations in the Law on Military Service. Regarding the current service term for non-commissioned officers and soldiers, it ensures that the army has a reasonable standing force with high combat effectiveness...

The current regulations regarding the number and duration of military service provide a basis for units to have sufficient time to train and develop non-commissioned officers and soldiers, ensuring they possess strong political resolve and in-depth military technical and tactical skills.

Furthermore, it also ensures proficiency in the operation and use of modern weapons and equipment suitable for new combat methods. Along with this, it creates a reserve force for mobilization and high-quality grassroots cadres for agencies and localities after their discharge from military service.

Citizens of Binh Dinh province are enlisting in the army during the February 2024 recruitment drive.

Therefore, the Ministry of National Defense argues that increasing the number of conscripts and reducing the length of military service would require organizing two conscription and discharge processes annually, leading to difficulties and increased costs in terms of materials, budget, and time, and affecting the performance of other tasks at the local and unit levels.

In particular, the second round of conscription will coincide with the university and college admissions season, causing inconvenience and leading to numerous petitions from citizens requesting a postponement of their conscription.

Reducing the length of military service would not meet the requirements for training, combat readiness, and combat operations of the army.

Economically, the State has to spend trillions of dong annually on recruiting and enlisting citizens into the military, training them, and implementing policies and regulations.

Voters propose amending Article 41 of the Military Service Law.

The Ministry of National Defence also received a petition from voters in Vinh Phuc province requesting amendments to Article 41 of the 2015 Military Service Law to address existing shortcomings.

According to the voters' concerns, Article 41 of the law stipulates that citizens currently studying at a general education institution or undergoing full-time university or college training in a course are entitled to a temporary deferment from military conscription.

However, specific regulations regarding extensions for further studies, repeating a year, failing subjects, and retaking graduation exams are not clearly defined, leading to exploitation to evade military service. This is one of the difficulties faced by local authorities when calling citizens for military service.

The Ministry of National Defence stated that the process of implementing the Law on Military Service has revealed a number of difficulties and shortcomings.

Specifically, this includes: registering for military service, managing citizens of conscription age for students admitted to colleges and universities; and in some cases, extending study periods, repeating grades, failing subjects, retaking graduation exams, or completing studies without transferring military service to their local area or new place of residence.

These cases lack adequate regulations and sanctions, leading to exploitation for evading military service, causing difficulties in local resource management and creating public resentment.

According to the Ministry of National Defence, in February 2022, the Prime Minister instructed the ministry to prepare proposals for amending and supplementing laws and decrees related to the Law on Military Service.

The Ministry of National Defence has established a steering committee and research team to propose the drafting of a bill amending and supplementing several articles of the 2015 Law on Military Service, and has organized a review of eight years of implementing the law.

Taking into account the opinions of voters, the Ministry of National Defense will continue to research, report, and propose to the Government amendments and additions to the law at an appropriate time when there is a full political, legal, and practical basis, ensuring scientific validity and feasibility.

VN (according to Vietnamnet)

Source: https://baohaiduong.vn/bo-quoc-phong-neu-ly-do-khong-tang-so-luong-cong-dan-nhap-ngu-388653.html