Sheikh Rashid bin Hamdan enrols in national service

Sheikh Rashid bin Hamdan joined the second batch of Emiratis enrolling in national service with the Armed Forces on Wednesday.

He said military service was a sacred national duty and that the UAE has spared no effort in providing pride and stability to its people.

“The service is a medal of honour for Emiratis,” said Sheikh Rashid, who thanked President Sheikh Khalifa for his leadership and for implementing the obligatory national service to defend their homeland.

Mandatory service was introduced for all Emirati men aged 18 to 30, and enables a new national defence and reserve force.

Emirati men who have completed secondary education will serve nine months of national service, while those without a secondary-school diploma will serve two years. National service is optional for women, who are eligible for nine months of service regardless of their educational level. The law aims to improve the defence-readiness of the UAE.