VietNamNet Bridge – The working age cap for Vietnamese soldiers is expected to be raised by a maximum of six years, according to the draft Law on Professional Soldiers and Military Personnel.

Illustrative image -- File photo

The draft was the centre of debate during the eighth day of the 41st meeting session of the National Assembly (NA)'s Standing Committee held in Ha Noi yesterday, Sept 23.

A male colonel, according to the draft Law, is due to retire when he is 56 years old, and the retirement age is 55 for female colonels. This dramatic change was deemed "necessary when the current age cap legislation for soldiers is not suitable anymore and fails to meet the military demand in building a strong fighting force," said Senior Lieutenant General Do Ba Ty, Chief of the General Staff of the Viet Nam People's Army.

The current retirement age for soldiers, which is regulated under the Law on Military Service, states that both male and female soldiers of any military rank are required to leave the army at age 50.

The draft law specifically regulates the working age cap for each military rank, including majors and lieutenant colonels, who will be allowed to serve in the army until ages 52 and 54, respectively, with no distinction between male and female soldiers.

Lieutenants will retire at the age of 50, according to the draft.

The NA's Commission for National Defence and Security Chairman Nguyen Kim Khoa seconded such changes to the soldiers' working age caps, adding that the military should work on developing policies to attract talented individuals to the army in order to improve the quality of the fighting force.

"The draft law might as well include regulations covering the military recruitment procedures that encourage outstanding students and young scientists to join the army," Khoa said.

The draft Law on Professional Soldiers and Military Personnel will be brought up at the National Assembly meeting next month for approval.

VNS