ABU DHABI // When the call came, they answered it – and not because they had to, but because it is their duty.
Young Emiratis received text messages and phone calls after Eid telling them to appear at recruitment centres for the first stage of their national military service.
Failure to do so means a fine of up to Dh50,000 and possibly even a prison sentence, but such thoughts were far from the minds of the young men who reported for duty on Sunday at Al Nahyan Camp centre in Abu Dhabi.
“We weren’t told of any punishment for not enrolling,” said Ahmed Al Mansoury, 17, who has just finished secondary education at Al Ittihad school and is looking forward to a new experience.
“I’m here because I’m excited to enrol. I think it’s a great thing and a service to the country.”
Military service will not alter Ahmed’s plans for university. “It’s just nine months, and I think it will be a good nine months, after which I’ll be able to go and continue education.”
The young recruits will spend three months of general boot camp followed by three months in specialised training. The final phase will take place in institutions such as the Army, Police and Ministry of Interior.
Once participants complete their service they will become part of the reserve forces and may be called up each year for training, or in case of emergency.
For Ahmed’s classmate, Khalifa Al Marar, 18, serving in the military is a chance to bond with his peers.
“I don’t look at it as a burden really, it is more a chance to spend more time with my friends in a very interesting time,” he said.
“I’ve heard there is a punishment for not attending enrolment, but I’m not really sure, because for me this is not an option.”
Others see national service as a chance to get a head start on a military career.
“I always planned on becoming an officer in the Army,” said Bilal Nuaimi, 18. “This is a chance for me to prove my worth as I will be with my classmates and I will try to do my best.”
A recent graduate of Hamdan bin Mohammed Secondary School in Baniyas, Bilal plans to enrol in officer training when he finishes his nine months’ compulsory service.
“For me this is both an education and a chance for my friends to experience what my work will be in the future,” he said.
“For me this is a duty, so I don’t even take into account what happens if I fail to enrol because I will enrol.”
Even for those who do not plan a military career, enrolment is seen as a duty to country.
“Look, for me, I feel very indifferent. It’s just something that my friends are doing and we all must do it,” said M I, 18, who preferred not to give his full name.
“I know there is a penalty for not going but I can’t do that. It’s not the fear of the penalty as much as it is the way I’ll be seen by my compatriots. So I’m OK with it, I’ll just do it and do my duty,” he said.
Mohammed Al Shehhi, legal adviser to the national service programme, said those who fail to enlist will face repercussions on a case-by-case basis.
“For those who reject the call to public service through SMS or by refusing to show up or through cheating, they will be sentenced to a penalty decided by the authorities involved,” he said.
“There could be cases of people lying or breaking a leg on purpose just to get out of it. But we have provided a framework that is both lenient for those with needs and encouraging to get people enrolled.”
nalwasmi@thenational.ae
