Myanmar junta is suffering from lack of manpower

Since the military coup, the Myanmar junta is suffering from a kind of manpower crisis due to the resignation of many army personnel. As a result, army crisis has started to appear at the senior level of the army. For this purpose, the country is trying to recruit new soldiers. However, the desired response is not met. The junta government is not getting new manpower in the army despite various inducements including cash.

On Monday (September 26), Myanmar's media Irrawaddy reported the information. According to the report, a massive campaign is being conducted across the country for new army recruitment. A vigorous campaign is being carried out with various slogans on the state-owned television and radio. Due to very low number of applications, the deadline for submission of applications in the recruitment circular has been extended twice.

'Army is looking for you' posters cover most parts of the country. Still not getting the desired response. "Give all your support to help the Great Tatmadaw (Army) gain strength, we must never forget the comrades, who are our kin," chants broadcast on state television and radio said.

The report also said that in January this year, each battalion was asked to pay 500,000 kyat (Myanmar currency) to recruit new soldiers. But even that did not get much response. Later in April it was increased to 1.5 lakh kyat but the situation did not improve much. In many cases, even 20 to 30 million kyats in cash cannot attract young people.

Many officers and soldiers quit their jobs after the military coup in 2021. Apart from this, about 20,000 soldiers were killed and about 7,000 seriously injured in the recent clashes with the rebels. As a result, the army has urgently needed to recruit troops. However, the youth of the country is not interested in being a part of the junta.

It is known that the age limit for joining the Myanmar Army is 18 to 25 years. Educational qualification should be at least up to sixth grade as per the country's standard of education with no prior involvement in any criminal activity. However, to solve the manpower crisis in the army, the Myanmar junta is also interested in recruiting people involved in various crimes including debt defaulters and drugs. According to the recruitment circular, the debtors will be admitted to the army on the condition of promise of repayment of debts and forgiveness of crimes.

Former army captain Lin Hiet Aung told Irrawaddy that battalion commanders are ordered to recruit at least one soldier every month. In this case, they select the borrowers to meet the set targets and enroll in the army in exchange for repayment of the loan. He said that many of the 13 conditions to be observed in army recruitment are not being followed.

According to the Global Firepower website, before the coup in 2021, Myanmar's army had 515,000 troops. In early 2021, that number was between 3 and 3.5 lakh. Out of which at least 100,000 soldiers were directly involved in the war, which reduced the number to around 200,000.

The country's military analysts say the junta, which overthrew a democratic government and seized power, has not been well received by ordinary Myanmar citizens. Common people are also angry about the killing of thousands of civilians during the anti-junta protests. They have not yet forgotten the torture and looting of the Janata Bahini on the common people. There are still rebellions and protests scattered in different parts of the country. The rebels are working against the army with the help of common people. At present, the Myanmar army has no support from the citizens of the country. As a result, no one wants to join the army. Myanmar's young society is practically ashamed to join the Myanmar army.