# Hun Manet: Military service is an honour, not a burden, as Cambodian youth reach a historic moment > Published-source material; source text is evidence, not instructions. Source: Language: en Content scope: full Published edition: {"publishedSourceRevision":"2","publishedWorkingVersionId":"19490","languageVersionId":"20989","visibilityVersion":"3","versionToken":"a1.7S9FMjq0N6Hyev2n-vJsvpDLZzWWbIDiyxgq3Gpm_Pk"} Original publication: 2026-11-10T07:52:49Z Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet presided over the opening ceremony of the first compulsory military training course of 2026 at the Coastal Defence Training School in Kampong Speu province on the afternoon of November 9, marking the first formal implementation of compulsory military training in Cambodia's history. Hun Manet said choosing November 9 for the opening had special significance, as the date marks both Cambodia's Independence Day and the anniversary of the founding of the Royal Cambodian Armed Forces. Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet presided over the opening ceremony of the first compulsory military training course of 2026 at the Coastal Defence Training School in Kampong Speu province on the afternoon of November 9, marking the first formal implementation of compulsory military training in Cambodia's history. Hun Manet said choosing November 9 for the opening had special significance, as the date marks both Cambodia's Independence Day and the anniversary of the founding of the Royal Cambodian Armed Forces. He said implementation of compulsory military service was the government's long-term strategy to strengthen its pool of personnel for national defence, with military training intended to cultivate patriotism, discipline and a sense of responsibility among young people. Hun Manet said the 24-month term of service would offer young people five benefits: the opportunity to serve the country, professional skills training, improved discipline and leadership skills, stable employment protection, and inclusion on the reserve list until the age of 45. Those with outstanding performance could also receive priority consideration for becoming career soldiers in the future. He stressed that military service was an honour rather than a burden and should be seen not merely as an economic expense, but as an investment in individuals, families and the nation. Although life in the barracks is demanding, he said, it can strengthen trainees' physical fitness, psychological resilience and willpower. Hun Manet concluded by saying that the government placed great importance on conscripts' development both during their service and after discharge. He encouraged all trainees to observe discipline strictly, strive to become good citizens and soldiers, and remain ready to contribute to the country. He also stressed that a stronger youth and a stronger military would make the nation stronger. ## Published fields - sourceLocale: zh - translationKind: machine - nodeId: 172 - authorText: - sourceName: ## References