National service for high school graduates extended to a year

The National Service said the decision, which applies to those who hold high school diplomas or higher, was effective immediately.

ABU DHABI // National service for secondary school graduates has been extended from nine months to 12 months.

The National and Reserve Service Authority of the Armed Forces General Command said on Monday that, according to the decision of Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, “national service for holders of high school or higher diplomas, shall be extended to 12 months instead of nine months”.

“The decision is effective immediately,” according to a post on the authority’s official Instagram account.

Mandatory military service was announced in January 2014, requiring men who have finished secondary school or are between the ages of 18 and 30 to undergo military training. Those who had not completed secondary school were prescribed a two-year term.