Anew law to introduce mandatory military service for all Emirati men aged 18 to 30 was discussed by the Federal National Council this week and is likely to be on the statute books by the end of summer. As The National has said previously, the move will encourage citizens to have a stronger sense of responsibility towards their nation and also a greater awareness of the challenges it faces. While there is no immediate threat, vigilance is essential to protect the levels of freedom, prosperity and security that are enjoyed in the UAE yet can too easily be taken for granted.
Military training will be good for young men – and those women who choose to participate – by improving their fitness and teaching them valuable life and work skills. Afterwards, they will be given priority when it comes to job placement, promotion, marriage and land loans and further-education opportunities.
But it’s not just students straight out of high school who will gain from serving their country; those people in their mid- to late-twenties whose careers have been fast-tracked will, too. Even a company CEO has something to learn from values – such as a sense of duty, discipline, team work, resilience and modesty – that can be instilled through military training.
