The autumn conscription campaign began in Tajikistan on October 1 and runs through November.
The autumn conscription campaign is carried out from October 1 through November. The draft affects able-bodied male citizens in the age bracket of 18 years old to 27 years old, who are not members of the armed forces reserve. The same decree provides for the retirement from active duty of soldiers and sergeants whose service under conscription is over.
Some sources say the usual annual conscription target in Tajikistan is some 15,000-16,000.
The two-month-long effort seeking to enlist young men aged 18-27 for the two-year compulsory military service takes place twice a year, in the spring and in the autumn.
Young Tajiks can avoid or postpone military service if they are ill, studying at university, an only son, or if they have two children.
Recall, amendments have been made to the country’s law on military service in early 2021. The amendments came into effect on February 4, 2021 and young men in Tajikistan who wish to forgo the military service may now do so by paying a fee to the government. A one-month basic reserve service is organized for those who did not perform conscript service for a fee. At the end of basic reserve service they receive military cards.
Besides, under the law on the universal military duty in new edition, graduates of universities having military department will also be drafted into the army for one year.
Only people who have done military service will be permitted to obtain employment with the government or join the army in a professional capacity.
Tajikistan’s armed forces consist of Ground Forces, Mobile Forces (paratroopers of the armed forces of Tajikistan), Air Force and Air Defense Force.
GBAO youth become first to complete the draft campaign
On October 1, as part of Tajikistan’s conscription efforts, the Gorno-Badakhshan Autonomous Region (GBAO) became the first in the country to fulfill its fall military draft quota, surpassing it by 101%, according to the state-run news agency Khovar.
The day was reportedly marked by a festive procession in GBAO’s capital, Khorog, where local residents gathered at the Culture and Recreation Park to bid farewell to the new recruits. The event was attended by city and district leaders, government officials, law enforcement representatives, as well as parents and the recruits themselves.
This marks the eighth consecutive year that GBAO youth has completed the draft campaign on the very first day of the conscription period.
Other regions meet their quotas
On the same day, the districts of the Rasht Valley also met their draft quotas. According to the state-run news agency, recruits from Sangvor, Lakhsh, Tojikobod, Nourobod, and Rasht districts voluntarily reported to military units, contributing to a 100% completion of the draft plan in these areas on the first day of the campaign.
The farewell ceremony for the recruits in the Rasht district was attended by local government officials, law enforcement, Ministry of Defense representatives, as well as parents, veterans, and members of the local civil society. The new conscripts were sent off with warm words of encouragement and blessings from their mothers.
How to apply for paid Alternative service and its cost
For those wishing to serve in the military on a paid basis, it is necessary to contact the local military enlistment office. The office will provide details on the required documents and the process for submitting an application.
Typically, required documents include a passport, birth certificate, and other identification papers.
The cost of paid service is 750 calculation indicators (estimates). As of now, one calculation indicator equals 75.00 somonis, making the total amount for paid service 56,250 somonis.
At the time of publication, Asia-Plus was unable to obtain comment from the Ministry of Defense regarding the number of paid service quotas available.
