Women’s military college prepares for first batch of national service recruits

The first batch of male draftees will begin national service next month, while training is optional for women aged between 18 to 30, provided they receive parental consent.

The Khawla Bint Al Azwar Military School confirms its readiness to receive and train Emirati girls seeking to perform national service. Wam

ABU DHABI // The region's first military college for women, the Khawla bint Al Azwar Military School, is preparing to welcome female recruits for nine months of training under the national and reserve service law.

The first batch of male recruits will begin national service next month, while training is optional for women aged between 18 and 30, provided they receive parental consent.

“Women are today holding leadership roles and … national and reserve service has opened the door for them to contribute along with men in the development of the nation,” said Lt Col Afra Al Falasi, the commander of the school.

Facilities have been built to coach the first batch of female conscripts, she said. The Armed Forces has the resources and facilities to provide world-class training, reported state news agency Wam. The sessions will include physical fitness and development of leadership skills and character.

Recruits will be supervised and trained by female professionals “in line with the traditions and customs of Emirati society as part of specially tailored programmes”, said Wam.

The national and reserve service comprises basic military training and allocation to different branches of the military based on skills and specialised coaching.

Trainees will also attend lectures on patriotic and religious matters.

A team of social workers will be present to provide psychological support, if required, to help recruits who face challenges adapting to military life.

The school is the only authorised military training provider for women and will conduct a 12-week programme of which 10 weeks will include basic instruction and the rest will focus on specialised training.

Lt Col Al Falasi said for the three-month basic programme recruits would live in camp accommodation for the first two weeks, after which they would be allowed leave over the weekends, with the Armed Forces providing transport across the UAE.

“Nothing is of more value than answering the call of national duty,” she said, urging young Emirati women to join the military service,

The benefits include developing leadership skills, building team spirit and enhancing self-confidence, she said.