Prime Minister Hun Manet instructed the relevant ministries and institutions to prioritise the recruitment of the children of former armed forces officers, ensuring they have the opportunity to succeed their veteran parents, at the commemoration of the 17th anniversary of Cambodian Veterans Day (June 21), held on June 26.

“I would like to advise the Ministry of National Defence, the Ministry of Interior, High Command Headquarters of the Royal Cambodian Armed Forces (RCAF), the National Police, the Royal Cambodian Army and other armed force establishments in the recruitment of new [personnel, with] priority given to the children of veterans, former police officers and former members of the military police so that they have the opportunity to take on the duties of their parents,” he said. 

Manet recalled that before Covid-19, the government allowed for the enlistment of troops equal to the number retiring. However, due to the pandemic, the intake of troops decreased.

"In the future, when our economy recovers, we will consider the possibility of increasing troop recruitment. Most importantly, recruitment should prioritise the children of veterans, but we will not exclude other young volunteers or give undue preference to veterans' children.

“We can set aside 50 to 60 per cent for this priority. The remaining 40 per cent will be open for other young people to apply,” he said.

Royal Academy of Cambodia secretary-general Yang Peou said that equity must be ensured in the enlistment process, especially in terms of location.

“For example, we can use a mixed approach in geographically remote areas. A mixed approach means selecting the children of veterans and armed forces personnel to be stationed in remote areas.

“If ordinary young people volunteer to be stationed in remote areas, they should be selected competitively and should not be allowed to move to urban areas, the capital or provincial cities because selection in remote areas is challenging.

“Once selected for duty in remote areas, if they move out, it leads to armed force shortages in border or remote areas,” he said.

Peou added that opportunities for competition in the recruitment of officers to be stationed in towns and the capital must also be provided. Otherwise, he said, the children of high-ranking officials or current armed forces personnel will continue to serve in towns and cities, along with receiving rapid promotions. He noted this issue has been observed in the past.