PHNOM PENH: Monday’s (Nov 9) Cambodian Independence Day celebrations marked a major step forward in the Kingdom’s defence plans, with the first intake of military draftees beginning their training.
The November 9 intake are the first recruits to undergo training since military conscription legislation was introduced in 2006.
According to the Ministry of National Defence, the launch, coinciding with the 73rd anniversary of Independence Day, marks a significant step in the government’s efforts to strengthen national defence and modernise the Royal Cambodian Armed Forces (RCAF).
The first intake comprises 5,000 young men selected from the more than 15,000 applicants who registered during the initial October recruitment campaign. The government has set the target of recruiting 10,000 young people for military service in 2026, with recruitment to be conducted in phases according to the armed forces’ needs.
Under the Military Service Law, Cambodian men aged between 18 and 25 who are drafted are required to serve for 24 months, with women able to join voluntarily. Updated legislation was enacted in May 2026.
Prime Minister Hun Manet presided over today’s ceremonial opening ceremony, noting that the training marks a historic event for modern Cambodia. He announced that another batch of 5,000 recruits will be announced on November 25, with the second intake scheduled to begin training in February 2027.
He explained that the trainees will spend three months at training centres, where they will learn to adapt to military life. They will then be posted to designated military bases for 21 months, working alongside professional soldiers.
“Please don’t think you are wasting your time; you should regard you service as an investment. When we talk about investments, we expect to get something in return. In this case, what will your return be? The reward for your time, will and effort will be the opportunity to serve your motherland,” he said.
“Secondly, you will have the opportunity to gain valuable skills. In the military, we learn much more than how to carry guns and shoot. We teach many other skills. Whether in the infantry or the air force, you have a chance to learn skills that few people will ever get the chance to learn,” he added.
Manet highlighted that the recruits will gain both hard and soft skills, which will serve them well in their later lives. - The Phnom Penh Post/ANN
