Ministry of National Defense responds to proposal to expand the number of subjects eligible for deferment from military service

The National Assembly's Committee for Petitions and Supervision has forwarded voters' opinions to the Ministry of National Defense with the content of 'national defense and security education for students to avoid military service'.

Voters of the former Quang Binh province, now Quang Tri province, proposed that according to the law, college and university students are currently required to study national defense and security education. Therefore, voters suggested considering and possibly converting the form of studying this subject into a national defense and security training course for students similar to military service training but shortening the time from 9 months to 1 year so that students do not have to participate in military service after graduation.

This, according to voters, is to create conditions for children to have the opportunity to find jobs early and have job stability without being interrupted by military service.

The Ministry of National Defense responded to voters' petitions on expanding the number of people eligible for military service deferral - PHOTO: NHAT THINH

"At the same time, it is necessary to study and have regulations allowing the postponement of military service for those who, after graduating from high school, wish to work abroad or participate in domestic production and business activities, but must commit to participating in military service before the age of 25; along with that, there should be specific sanctions to bind responsibilities, especially regulations on high penalties for violations and evasion of military service," voters stated in the petition.

Expanding the scope of military service deferral is inappropriate.

Responding to voters' opinions, the Ministry of National Defense said that the goal of national defense and security education for students is stipulated in Clause 2, Article 12 of the 2013 Law on National Defense and Security Education.

This aims to ensure that learners have basic knowledge of the Party's viewpoints, policies and laws of the State on national defense and security; build a national defense and people's security, build a national defense posture associated with a people's security posture, build the people's armed forces; supplement knowledge of civil defense and military skills, and be ready to perform military service to protect the Fatherland.

Regarding the implementation of temporary deferment and exemption from military service, it is based on Article 45 of the 2013 Constitution; Article 4 of the 2015 Law on Military Service; Article 41 of the 2015 Law on Military Service, which stipulates temporary deferment and exemption from military service. In particular, there is no provision for temporary deferment for high school graduates who wish to work abroad or participate in domestic production and business activities.

The Ministry of National Defense stated that the current constitution and laws clearly stipulate the implementation, postponement, and exemption of military service; and the penalties for violations of evading military service. Current regulations ensure social justice and facilitate the management, selection, and calling of citizens for military service.

"Nationwide, the average number of citizens who are temporarily deferred from military service is more than 55%, and in Quang Binh province (old) it is 64% compared to the total number of young people of military age. Expanding the number of subjects who are temporarily deferred from military service as proposed by voters is not suitable for the current situation because it will reduce the source of selection and calling of citizens to join the army every year.

Besides, administrative procedures arise in the field of military service, creating loopholes for many subjects to take advantage of and avoid, causing negativity in implementation and causing social injustice," the Ministry of National Defense informed.

Based on the above legal provisions, the Ministry of National Defense believes that converting the form of national defense and security education subjects into national defense and security training courses for students similar to military service training is "inappropriate".

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/bo-quoc-phong-phan-hoi-kien-nghi-mo-rong-doi-tuong-tam-hoan-tham-gia-nghia-vu-quan-su-185250715184619898.htm