Azerbaijan is updating its regulations for voluntary military service recruitment and candidate requirements to enhance the professionalization of its armed forces.
Operative Information Center-OMM reports that significant amendments have been proposed to the "Regulations on Military Service." The relevant draft law was discussed during a meeting of the Milli Majlis (National Assembly) Committee on Youth and Sports.
According to the project, new categories are being established for admission to extended active military service. Candidates must have at least a general secondary education and have completed their initial mandatory active military service. Furthermore, military personnel under the age of 40 (excluding officers and warrant officers) and women aged 19 to 40 are now eligible for recruitment. Under existing legislation, these conditions primarily applied to the extended service of soldiers, sailors, and sergeants.
A key innovation proposed in the regulations involves minors; contracts with individuals under the age of 18 admitted to special-purpose higher education institutions will only be signed with the written consent of their legal representatives, such as parents or guardians. Additionally, citizens who graduate from special-purpose educational institutions and receive their first officer rank, as well as active military personnel under the age of 35, will be transferred directly to the permanent officer corps.
These legislative updates reflect Azerbaijan's ongoing efforts to modernize its military infrastructure and personnel management systems following the restoration of its territorial integrity. By refining the recruitment process and expanding the age brackets for professional service, the Ministry of Defense aims to strengthen the combat readiness and technical expertise of the national army. Such reforms are consistent with the transition toward a more professionalized military model, ensuring that the Republic of Azerbaijan maintains a highly skilled and disciplined defense force in the region.
