The Military Council’s Central Military Service Recruitment Committee has issued a directive requiring thorough background checks on new recruits across Myanmar, in response to increasing cases of desertion and rebellion among forcibly conscripted soldiers. This directive was announced during the Military Service Recruitment Central Committee Meeting 2/2025 held in Naypyidaw on July 3rd, according to sources from the Naypyidaw Military Service Recruitment Committee.
Previously, the military council’s recruitment process focused primarily on age and physical fitness requirements without conducting thorough background checks during their forced recruitment campaigns. This approach resulted in the conscription of youths from families with anti-military political backgrounds, including those associated with the National League for Democracy party and individuals from communities strongly opposed to the military. Consequently, there have been numerous instances of desertion and armed rebellion against military officers by these new recruits.
Under the new directive, the recruitment process will no longer prioritize only meeting manpower quotas but will implement a systematic and thorough screening process. Regional military commands must carefully vet recruits, and state/regional military council chief ministers are required to oversee the background checks and recruitment procedures. Additionally, the directive mandates the use of the National Service Information Management System (NSIMS) to register servicemen and maintain records of those eligible for service, exemptions, deferrals, and temporary postponements. The system will also track those who evade military service for legal action. The military council has been conducting training courses since April 2024, with the 15th batch scheduled to begin in July 2025.
