Military official touts merits of conscription
KUWAIT: Compulsory military service would help instill in draftees a sense of patriotism while reinforcing the need for optimism, a Kuwaiti military official said yesterday. Speaking after Kuwait’s military service authority took in its first group of 82 enlistees, Major General Ibrahim Al-Omairi, the head of the body, said that serving in the military is a productive experience that builds the physical ability and resoluteness needed to protect the nation. He advocated conscription as excellent discipline that would not interfere with the draftees’ career choices, rather it allows them the chance to excel in whatever path they choose to pursue.
Omairi urged the conscripts to remain committed during their period of service, saying that military enrollment was incumbent upon them to have their country’s best interests at heart. He promised a fair shake for all draftees during their period of service, which will be divided into two phases ranging from four to eight months, where they will be attending courses in addition to practical military training. Omari also commended the recruits for having the gumption to enlist in the military.
Troops’ dedication
Separately, First Deputy Premier and Defense Minister Sheikh Nasser Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah praised the dedication of Kuwaiti troops stationed in Saudi Arabia as part of Yemen’s Restoration of Hope Operation. Both the Kuwaiti and Saudi people are bound by a shared history and common destiny, Sheikh Nasser said during a visit to ground forces in Jazan on Thursday, according to a ministry statement. The role of Kuwaiti forces in the operation supplements their historic duty in supporting their Gulf and Arab brethren, he said, adding that their duty to Saudi Arabia and Kuwait is one and the same.
Upon his arrival, Sheikh Nasser was received by the Kuwaiti Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Sheikh Thamer Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah and head of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and Deputy head of the Saudi Ground Forces Air Vice Marshal Ahmad Al-Shehri, amongst other Saudi officers.
He went on to relay to the soldiers the greetings of His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber AlSabah, His Highness the Crown Prince Sheikh Nawaf AlAhmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah and His Highness the Prime Minister Sheikh Jaber Al-Mubarak Al-Hamad Al-Sabah. The visiting minister was then briefed on the role and duties of Kuwaiti troops involved in the coalition.
Later, he paid a visit to King Khaled Air Base in the southwestern Saudi city of Khamis Mushait, where he was received by Commander of the Southern Region Maj Gen Abdallah Al-Qaffari and Commander of King Khaled Air Base Air Vice Marshal Sulaiman Al-Fayez. He also met several senior Kuwaiti air force officers also taking part in the operation. —KUNA