Emirati volunteers report for National Service duty

Some of the older national service volunteers report for duty on Sunday. Wam

ABU DHABI // Emiratis aged between 30 and 40 who volunteered for national service have reported for duty.

The National Service and Reserve Authority said the training programme for older recruits began on Sunday and would last 15 weeks, state news agency Wam reported.

“July 10, 2016 will be marked with honour as the day on which the first batch of volunteers joined the national service,” said the NSRA.

Sheikh Ahmed bin Tahnoon, NSRA Chairman, congratulated President Sheikh Khalifa, on the occasion. He also paid tribute to Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President, Defence Minister and Ruler of Dubai, and Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces.

While inspecting recruits during the reception ceremony, Sheikh Ahmed paid tribute to their nationalism and high morale, stressing their patriotism and loyalty to the nation’s leadership and their homeland.

He quoted the Founding Father Sheikh Zayed, who said: “The UAE army is the shield to protect the lives and wealth of this country.”