The Myanmar military regime recalled nearly 50 former military officers to active duty in April, two months after enforcing the Reserve Forces Law, according to a junta gazette.
With its forces seriously depleted by three years of fighting against anti-regime groups, the junta activated the Reserve Forces Law in February allowing it to send veterans back to the front line. The same month, the regime enforced the Conscription Law, requiring men aged 18-35 and women aged 18-27 to serve for two to five years.
In March, the regime issued procedures for recalling veterans to active duty.
According to the junta gazette issued on July 19, 48 former military officers—one colonel, one lieutenant colonel, three majors, 42 captains and one lieutenant—were recalled to active duty on April 22. A list of their names was also included.
Under the Reserve Forces Law, all former personnel must serve as reservists for five years from the day they resign or retire. The law allows Min Aung Hlaing, as military chief, to extend their service for more than five years “in the interests of the state”.
The Armed Forces Training Office is responsible for providing training for veterans who are recalled. The Adjutant General’s Office is responsible for giving them assignments with the approval of the Office of the Commander-in-Chief (Army).
Meanwhile, the regime is training the fourth batch of conscripts drafted under the conscription law.
Observers say those recalled to active duty can be assigned either to combat operations or to training conscripts.
Myanmar had an estimated 91,677 veterans and 161,372 auxiliary members in September 2021 and 308 of Myanmar’s 330 townships had veteran’s organizations, according to the Myanmar War Veteran’s Organization website.
Even before enforcing the two laws, the regime resorted to various measures to remedy the recruitment crisis, desertions and casualties. It raised the retirement age from 60 to 62 for soldiers and police, persuaded deserters and veterans to return to the barracks, and posted bogus job advertisements on social media to lure recruits.
