The military council’s Battalion No. 6 in Pakokku District held a graduation ceremony on March 18 for its battalion formation and training program, which included officers, non-commissioned officers, and soldiers. During the ceremony, the Pakokku District correspondent delivered opening remarks, and battalion officials gave encouraging speeches to the graduating trainees. This type of training graduation ceremony indicates the military council’s increased focus on military training for its personnel.
The military council is intensifying its training programs as it faces ongoing resistance from People’s Defense Forces and Ethnic Armed Organizations across the country. However, the council is experiencing significant difficulties in recruitment, with reports emerging of forced civilian conscription into military service. Additionally, due to numerous defections of military personnel to the people’s side, the council has been implementing stricter internal discipline measures and training programs. These training ceremonies are intended to boost morale and strengthen unity within the military ranks, but in reality, internal conditions within the military are deteriorating, and troop morale continues to decline.
While the military council attempts to maintain its forces through such training programs and ceremonies, these activities only serve to further alienate the military from the civilian population, who continue to suffer under the council’s oppressive rule. The increased military activities and training programs reflect the council’s desperate attempts to maintain control while facing widespread resistance from the people of Myanmar. These military ceremonies and training programs, rather than strengthening the military’s position, highlight the growing divide between the military council and the civilian population it claims to protect.
