In brief
Prime Minister Hun Manet inaugurated Cambodia’s first wave of conscription training on November 9, 2026, declaring it a historic milestone. The law mandates 18‑ to 25‑year‑old men to serve 24 months, with 10,000 recruits selected. Women may volunteer and all prisoners will join reserves up to age 45. The event was broadcast live on state‑run TVK.
In the western province of Kampong Speu, a military base hosted Cambodia’s first conscription training session on Monday, November 9, 2026, as announced by Prime Minister Hun Manet during a televised ceremony.
Prime Minister Manet described the launch as a "historic milestone," noting that the program would strengthen recruits’ bodies and spirits through instruction in military tactics, discipline, and professional conduct. He highlighted that the service provides a unique chance for citizens to serve the nation, master technical skills, and reach personal development.
The training follows a new law enacted in October that requires all Cambodian male citizens aged 18 to 25 to serve a two‑year military term. The Ministry of National Defense received permission from the prime minister to recruit 10,000 citizens into the first cohort. The law stipulates that the conscription duty is mandatory for men in the specified age group, while participation remains voluntary for women.
Under the legislation, once conscripts complete their active duty, they transition into the reserves and remain eligible to serve until the age of 45. This system is intended to maintain a trained pool of reservists that can be called upon in times of need.
The event was broadcast live on state‑run TVK, allowing citizens outside the base to watch the prime minister’s remarks and the opening ceremony. Officials on the ground described the base as prepared for the influx of trainees, with facilities for basic training, physical conditioning, and classroom instruction on military protocol.
In a brief statement, Ministry of National Defense officials said the selection process would be conducted through a nationwide recruitment campaign, with medical and background checks to ensure suitability. They emphasized that the program would also provide educational benefits, as trainees could attend vocational courses offered by the army during their service.
International observers noted that Cambodia’s move to a mandatory conscription system mirrors similar shifts in other Southeast Asian nations that aim to bolster regional security and defense capacity. However, the country’s domestic political environment means that any transition to compulsory service has been closely monitored by civil society groups, which have expressed both support for national security growth and concerns over personal liberty.
A local spokesperson for the military base said that the first cohort would begin with basic ground training, followed by specialized units over subsequent months. The stance that the program is a “historic milestone” was reiterated by the prime minister, who stressed that the army’s role is to protect national sovereignty and foster unity among citizens.
As the training commences, the Cambodian public will likely notice increased activity at recruitment centers and a boost in the military’s visible presence nationwide. Though the initiative is newly launched, officials expect that the reservist pool will grow steadily, enhancing the nation’s strategic posture over the coming years.