Military service in Uzbekistan

Changes are regulated by the Law of the Republic of Uzbekistan "On general military duty and military service" - published on lex.uz

Who and when to join the army

Men between the ages of 18 and 27 are conscripted into the army. Conscription takes place once a year - in spring, in March-April. The specific dates of each campaign are approved by the Cabinet of Ministers.

Current terms of conscription can be checked on the portal gov.uz in the section «Actual military service».

How the selection goes

Before being sent to the military unit, each conscript undergoes a document check and medical examination.

1. Verification of documents includes:

• Identification (ID card or passport);
• Registration certificate or military ticket (if any);
• Education documents;
• information on family status and place of work or study;
• certificates confirming the right to delay (if any).
• photo 3x4- 4pcs.

All data are checked with the base of the military commissariat to exclude errors and confirm the legitimacy of the conscription.

2. The medical examination is carried out by doctors of different profiles: a therapist, a surgeon, a neurologist, a psychiatrist, an ophthalmologist and other specialists.

Based on the results of the survey, the conscription commission assigns to the citizen a category of validity:

• «A» - suitable for military service without restrictions;
• «B» - suitable with minor restrictions;
• «B» - limited good, can be added to the reserve;
• «H» - temporarily unfit (deferral for treatment);
• «D» - not suitable for military service (release).

After the medical examination, an interview is held with a recruitment commission, which includes representatives of the military commissariat, doctor, psychologist and representative of the local administration (mahalli). During the interview:

• motivation and readiness of the citizen for service;
• its physical and psychological stability;
• Disciplinary and legal record (presence of administrative or criminal violations);
• family circumstances and social situation.

On the basis of all data, the commission takes one of the following decisions:

• to send a citizen for military service;
• to grant a deferral (for example, because of studies, health conditions or care of relatives);
• Be released from service in accordance with the law.

What types of military service can be performed

Conscripts in Uzbekistan have three main options to perform military service:

 Main difference:

Monthly service is an option for those who want to undergo training quickly and without a long break from life, and one-year - for those who are planning a military career or want to gain experience in the service.

Both forms are regulated by Cabinet Decree 243 of 2019 - lex.uz

How is a one-year term service organized

It is a standard compulsory military service of 12 months. Conscripts are distributed to military units throughout the country according to the needs of the army and health status.

From 2019, all conscripts serve 12 months equally - the differences for those with higher education have been abolished.

What does the service

Life in the army is built on a strict set of rules, which provides discipline, physical training and organization of daily activities.

The soldier’s day usually starts early (around 6:00) and includes:

• Morning charge and construction;
• Training in combat, tactical and fire;
• Training on the statutes, physical and technical preparation;
• lunch and short rest;
• afternoon training and housework;
• evening service and private time until closing.

In their free time, soldiers can play sports, read, write letters, and participate in cultural and educational activities.

Soldiers are provided with three meals a day, seasonal clothing, bedding and personal hygiene items. The diet is calorie-balanced and includes meat, dairy and vegetable products.

The quality of food is controlled by the military medical service. In many parts new standards of improvement are being introduced: renovated barracks with showers, laundries, recreation rooms and sports halls. Thus, the routine and life are organized in such a way as to combine discipline, physical training and respect for human conditions.

How a month’s service is organized

Monthly service is a shortened form of military training, officially called «service in the mobilization call-up reserve». It gives the opportunity to perform military service without having to go through one year of compulsory military service. After completion of the courses, a citizen is considered to have completed military service and is enrolled in the reserve of the Ministry of Defense.

Who can pass

Men between 18 and 27 years of age who:

• Not previously on enlistment
• Have no medical contraindications
• No criminal record and military restrictions

How to enroll

If you wish, you can apply to the local department of the Ministry of Defence or through the portal my.gov.uz (section «Military accounting and mobilization»). Training takes place over 28 calendar days at special bases of the Ministry of Defense - in Tashkent, Jizak, Kashkadarya and other regions.

Where takes place

Training takes place in special training centers of the Defense Ministry in Tashkent, Jizak, Kashkadarya and other regions.

What they teach

For 28 days you pass:

• Basics of Military
• Construction and physical training
• Handling of weapons
• Discipline and tactics

What you get after

• Upon completion of the course:
• You get the title of «private reserve»
• Enrolled in the mobilization reserve
• Exempt from one year’s service
• You can sign a contract in the future

Important: all benefits that are available after one year of service (priority when entering the university, employment in the civil service, mortgage programs) are valid for those who have completed a month of training.

How much is a month’s military service

Monthly service is payable. Contribution calculated as seven times the minimum wage (MSA). The cost of a month’s service increases with each increase in the SMIC.

Annual cost trends:

Payment is through the Hulk bank. You can pay the amount in full or arrange for a few months in the military commission.

Basis: Decree of the Cabinet of Ministers 243 of 18.07.2019 «On measures to improve the training of citizens for military service».

What is contract military service

In addition to compulsory conscription, Uzbekistan provides for voluntary (contractual) service.

Citizens who have reached the age of 18 can apply for service before the call-up period or contract service. To do this, it is necessary to contact the local defense authorities and submit:

• Declaration of a wish to serve;
• passport or ID card;
• Education documents;
• Medical certificate;
• Reference from study or work place.

Candidates for contract service undergo the same medical examination and psychological testing as conscripts. Upon successful completion of the selection board, they are awarded a three-year contract, salary, social benefits and the right to military career. The procedure for performing contractual service and the amount of monetary support are established by Regulation PP-4447 of 2019.

How to get a deferral or release from the army

In Uzbekistan, the law provides several grounds for deferment or complete exemption from military service. All of them are enshrined in the Law "On universal conscription and military service"

Postponement is granted to citizens who temporarily have legal reasons not to attend the service. Main categories:

1. Full-time students

• Citizens studying in the day (full-time) form in universities, academic lyceums, colleges and technical schools.
• Deferral valid only for the period of study, including formal academic leave.
• After graduation, the student is subject to recruitment on general grounds.
• Important: the presence of a military department does not exempt from service - an exception only for those who have successfully completed the training program of reserve officers and received the appropriate rank.
• Required documents: a certificate (or letter) from the educational institution indicating the form of education and completion date;
• a copy of the student card;
• Identification (ID card or passport).

2. Caregivers of disabled relatives

Citizens providing permanent care for the elderly, disabled I-II group or other disabled relatives if there are no other guardians. Required documents:

• Medical report on the incapacity of a relative;
• a certificate from mahalli or social protection bodies that there are no other caregivers;
• a document confirming the relationship (birth certificate, marriage etc. etc.).

3. The family’s sole breadwinners

Citizens whose dependents are minor children, retired parents or disabled family members. The deferral is granted on condition that no one else provides for the family materially.

Required documents:

• Mahalli certificate on family composition and income;
• Birth certificate of children;
• copies of the parents' pension certificates or disability certificates;
• if necessary - confirmation of the absence of other working relatives.

4. Citizens with temporary medical contraindications

If a medical examination reveals diseases or conditions requiring treatment or surveillance, the commission may issue a decision on temporary incapacity for service (category «H»). After the end of the period of treatment, the citizen undergoes a re-examination. Required documents:

• Report of the medical commission (form approved by the Ministry of Defense and Health);
• test results, medical record or medical history.

How to obtain a deferral from the army

1. The citizen submits an application to the local call-up commission with a request for a deferral.

2. Attach all supporting documents (certificates, opinions, copies).

3. The Commission shall consider the application and decide whether to defer or deny it.

4. The decision shall be entered in the personal record of the conscript and recorded in the military records.

Discharge

Full exemption from military service is granted:

• citizens deemed unfit for service for health reasons (category «D»);
• those who have completed the full military training program at universities and obtained the rank of officer;
• as well as citizens who have already performed military service in another form (for example, in reserve or alternative service).
• as well as family members of soldiers who have died in the line of duty. In such cases, the release is granted to all relatives of the first line (brothers, sons, in some cases - grandchildren), on the basis of official confirmation by the Ministry of Defense or military commission.

The release is confirmed by a decision of the conscription commission and is formalized in a corresponding note in the military ticket.

Daily routine, food and lifestyle

Life in the army is built on a strict set of rules, which provides discipline, physical training and organization of daily activities.

The soldier’s day usually starts early (around 6:00) and includes:

• Morning charge and construction;
• Training in combat, tactical and fire;
• Training on the statutes, physical and technical preparation;
• lunch and short rest;
• afternoon training and housework;
• evening service and private time until closing.

In free time, soldiers can play sports, read, write letters, participate in cultural and educational activities.

Soldiers are provided with three meals a day, seasonal clothing, bedding and personal hygiene items. The diet is calorie-balanced and includes meat, dairy and vegetable products. The quality of food is controlled by the military medical service. In many parts new standards of improvement are being introduced: renovated barracks with showers, laundries, recreation rooms and sports halls. Thus, the routine and life are organized in such a way as to combine discipline, physical training and respect for human conditions.

Family connection

Regular contact with family members is provided to maintain morale.

• Callers have the right to make phone calls home once a week.
• Several military units are equipped with Internet zones for video communication and correspondence under command control.
• Mail and parcels are allowed, which pass the inspection according to the internal order of the unit.

Such measures help to maintain contact with the family and contribute to the psychological resilience of military personnel.

Cash and benefits

• The amount of material support depends on the form of service:
• Conscripts receive a monthly allowance for personal needs;
• Contractors are paid a salary determined by rank, position, length of service and conditions of service.

Contract military personnel are provided with:

• Annual paid leave;
• Public health services;
• Life and health insurance;
• Social benefits and allowances for service in difficult climatic or remote areas.

Upon completion of service, military personnel are entitled to employment on the basis of military service and their time in service is counted as part of total service.

What to expect after demobilization ( Rights and duties of soldiers)

After the end of service, whether urgent or contractual, military personnel retain certain rights, benefits and social guarantees provided by the legislation of the Republic of Uzbekistan.

After-service rights

• the right to priority admission to state universities (with good characteristics);
• the possibility of employment in public service and security structures;
• Benefits for housing and mortgage loans;
• Discounts and supplements for tuition fees at universities and colleges.

Military duties

Even after being discharged, former soldiers remain on the military register, are required to report a change of residence and may be called for collection or retraining.

Social support

There are state rehabilitation and medical assistance programs for veterans and those who have been discharged for health reasons.

In particular, the state program “Мард ўғлон” is aimed at employment and social adaptation of soldiers after demobilization.

Important:

Many employers have a positive attitude towards successful candidates. Army experience is often seen as an indicator of discipline, endurance and responsibility.

Results: the main thing about military service

• In Uzbekistan you can choose the format of service - for a year, month or contract.
• The monthly service lasts 28 days and is fully counted as military service.
• Payment (about 9 million sum) can be made through the Hulk bank, including in installments.
• All after-service benefits, tuition discounts, social support, mortgage apply also for those who have completed a month of training.
• If a soldier dies in the family, other relatives are exempted from conscription.