634:(FAR). Whilst there are members of the FAR who have voluntarily enlisted, there is a large portion of their military system that is made up of conscripts. Thus, these disciplinary regulations facilitate the understanding of Cuban Conscription as it monitored their behaviour whilst they were in active and reserved service. Crimes that were considered severe were identified as treason, espionage, cowardice, bribery and fraud. Particularly cowardice applies to those conscripted in the military service, as these members did not voluntarily enlist, and therefore there have been cases - such as those discussed under 'conscientious objection' - where Cuban nationals have attempted to physically harm themselves in order to exempt them from their military service, something that is punishable by law. Those that were found guilty of committing these crimes were sentenced to: death; incarceration (for crimes that involved violence); fines; and public criticism which acted as a warning. Alternatives to those punishments were also enforced, which included: expulsion from the army; demotion; loss of military rights and benefits; or a loss of property.
549:
under the authority of the military. The services that were available to enlist into under conscription were vast and therefore could cater to certain skillsets. For example, The
Special Battalion of Roads were provided with construction equipment such as bulldozers and tractors to help strengthen Cuba's infrastructure. The members of this military unit were predominately made up of conscripts. Additionally, under this policy, those who have enlisted could also remain in the reserves of the military from 1 January of their sixteenth year of age to 31 December of their fiftieth year of age. Under conscription, those who have completed their active military service were also transferred into the reserves, where they were required to complete annual training until they reach the age of 50. Of these conscripts, those who were in active military service were called "military men", those who remained in the reserves were called "reservists", and those between the ages of 16 and 28 who had enlisted but had not yet been called to active military service were called "Prerecruits".
562:
largely aided and enabled by the military support of the Soviet Union. Thus, when the Soviet Union dissolved in 1991 and consequently a loss of an ally, Cuba were unable to support the large military infrastructure that they had built. By 1995, the Cuban army had been reduced by half, leaving them with 105,000 active military personnel. It is evident that a lot of the restructuring which the Cuban military system endured began predominately when the Soviet Union withdrew their aid for Cuba. Without the financial and military source that the
Soviets provided, Cuba did not have the facilities or resources to maintain the sheer size of their personnel and the strength of their policies. In 1991, the year that Soviet support dissolved, Cuba altered and reduced the requirements of their conscription policy.
621:. The importance of a nationalistic commitment to military service is clear, particularly in their constitution which states that, "the defense of the socialist motherland is the greatest honor and the supreme duty of every Cuban." Despite this, there have been many cases reported of Cuban nationals that have attempted to physically harm themselves to exempt them from obligatory service. These acts, however, were made punishable in Article 171 of the Cuban Penal Code 1987 stating that a "deprivation of freedom for a period from three months to one year or a fine of one hundred to three hundred cuotas" would be imposed if those subject to military service obstruct the completion of someone else's service, or they themselves fail to fulfil the obliged service requirements.
579:
was provided to justify this reduction was that the level of skill and education had improved greatly amongst enlistees and that less training was needed. Additionally, another plausible explanation is that a reduced need for immediate military mobilisation influenced the decrease in obligatory service. In periods of rest, when the demand for military resources was low, troops are able to join the army reserves. They are also transferred to the reserves once the individual has completed their obligatory service. In this position they are able to be called upon to complete a multitude of tasks for the army until they turn 45 years old.
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throughout the whole population. From a foreign affairs perspective, it was perceived as an attempt to gain control of Cuban affairs which they were struggling to secure due to external intervention by international counterparts. It was also not a well-received policy internationally, with the article predicting that Cuba would find a large increase in outward-bound passengers trying to avoid the obligatory service.
25:
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through the ranks that were offered by the Cuban military, however it was understood that they received limited access to the education and experience that facilitated their ability to receive these promotions. Additionally, it is a requirement that the women who choose to join the army are not pregnant at the time of enlistment and at any point throughout their service.
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who are applicable to be called to action at the age of 18, are able to complete their term of service by participating in duties that are of another nature, such as social or economic roles. Further information regarding what these specific roles are or what the guidelines are in order to complete this alternative service are not provided by the Cuban government.
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service, however are not exempt. Once the conscripts are enlisted in the military and are within active service, they are also granted the opportunity to defer their service if they become incapacitated by a sickness, or they are the sole carer of two or more dependents, who are under 21 years of age.
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Due to the rigid policies of conscription, those who have been declared mentally or physically handicapped by the recruitment board are the only ones that are exempt from military service. Additionally, in some cases Cuban nationals are able to defer their military service in order to complete their
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in 2006 led to global discussion about a shift away from
Communism in Cuba, resulting in a potential restructuring of military. This restructuring would mean the possible removal of conscription from their policies, and a move towards an all-volunteer force. Cuba has not shifted from Communism since
578:
As of August 1991, the SMO changed to the
General Military Service Law and the requirements of active military service were reduced to two years, with enlistment being obligatory between the ages of 16 and 28, however most nationals were not called to service until they were 17. The explanation that
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is inscribed in the 1976 Constitution of the
Republic of Cuba in article 65, stating that "Defense of the socialist homeland is the greatest honor and the supreme duty of every Cuban citizen." There is a military presence through all levels of education in Cuba, however the recruiting process begins
599:
Whilst conscription is a rigid policy within Cuba's military system, there are alternative forms of services which conscripts are able to complete, as long as "the corresponding military training is guaranteed". The UN Committee on the Rights of the Child in 2011 outlined that those in adolescence,
548:
The establishment of the SMO in 1963 immediately benefited the Cuban
Revolutionary Armed Forces as they had a mass influx of troops with diverse skill sets, which allowed for a more experienced army. Additionally, it benefited the nation as it expanded the Cuban workforce as production workers came
511:
in 1959 when Fidel Castro took power saw a systematic restructuring of Cuban defence forces, with a focus on mobilising a large army. Conscription became an important element in assembling what became the second largest standing military in Latin
America throughout the late 1970s to the late 1980s,
561:
Upon the Cuban
Revolution in 1959, Cuba became increasingly reliant on Soviet political, economic and military aid, becoming their ally for the Cold War. The strength and build-up of personnel in the Cuban army throughout the 1970s and 1980s, facilitated strongly by their conscription policy, was
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Cuban nationals were required to serve under the
Obligatory Military Service (SMO) system. Under this structure, it was compulsory to complete three years in military service, the militias of territorial troops, or the brigades of production and defence. The SMO was reinforced by the first Law of
523:
The
Revolutionary Armed Forces worked towards professionalising the troops by rewarding military development with higher ranks and positions; and modernising their military body by training specialised forces, and promoting the development of knowledge and skill. This assisted in the expansion of
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In 1986, the Voluntary Female Military Service was introduced, which allowed women to voluntarily enlist into the military service. Conscription was, consequently, not applicable to women, however once they enlisted they had to complete a minimum of 2 years of service. Women were able to work up
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Despite the more modern inception of conscription in Cuba, discussion of the policy date back to 1869, when the New York Times reported that there was discussion in Havana that conscription would be put in place. Despite this attempt not being fulfilled, it was still reported that it was popular
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Additionally, the introduction of the Law of Social Service in August 1973 outlined that those who had completed their studies at an institution of higher education, in areas including technical, scientific or cultural studies, were required to complete their three years of conscripted military
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Those conscripted into active military service, whether they are soldiers or civilian workers, are subject to disciplinary regulation if they violate the terms of their conscription or public order which is strongly enforced by the
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Conscription is prominent in Cuba's military history as it assists in the understanding of how they built and internally strengthened their martial apparatus. Particularly the establishment of the
516:, occurred whilst conscription was a prominent factor in Cuba's military system. The Revolutionary Armed Forces initiated an extensive military intervention in order to assist the leftist
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520:(MPLA). Upon the dispatch of troops to Angola in 1975, conscription had allowed the Cuban armed forces to grow to a population of 117,000.
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926:. Army War College (U.S.). Strategic Studies Institute. Carlisle, PA: Strategic Studies Institute, U.S. Army War College.
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in secondary school as nationals, both male and female, are able to enlist in the army from the age of 17.
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Walker, Phyllis Greene (1996). "Cuba's Revolutionary Armed Forces: Adapting in the New Environment".
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their conscription-based army as it portrayed strength and experience to opposing military forces.
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the leadership transition, and thus the objectives of their military unit have not changed.
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service in military divisions that employed their specialised knowledge and skill.
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Military law surrounding conscription does not acknowledge any exception for
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831:"Revolutionary Armed Forces (FAR) Conscription and Personnel Resources"
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664:"The Constitution of the Republic of Cuba, 1976 (as Amended to 2002)"
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Perez, Louis A. (1976). "Army Politics in Socialist Cuba*".
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Military service which was established in November 1963.
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behind Brazil. Defining historical events, such as the
986:"Committee on Rights of Child examines report of Cuba"
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United States. Defense Intelligence Agency. (1979).
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922:Crowther, G. Alexander (Glenn Alexander) (2007).
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509:Cuban Revolutionary Armed Forces
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16:Overview of conscription in Cuba
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604:Exemption from military service
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574:Cuban military truck in Havana
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536:Cuban conscription until 1991
100:Alternative civilian service
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582:The transfer of power from
531:Cuban military on the move.
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857:"The Cuban Conscription".
748:10.1017/S0022216X00021994
625:Disciplinary regulations
1021:Conscription by country
619:conscientious objection
613:Conscientious objection
835:www.globalsecurity.org
638:Conscription for women
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557:Reduction in personnel
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110:Conscientious objector
990:newsarchive.ohchr.org
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169:By historical country
82:1780 caricature of a
452:By geographical area
423:United Arab Emirates
155:Penal military unit
120:Counter-recruitment
115:Conscription crisis
859:The New York Times
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125:Draft-card burning
105:Civil conscription
514:Angolan Civil War
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198:By modern country
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43:length guidelines
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188:Soviet Union
160:War resister
70:Conscription
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35:lead section
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588:Raúl Castro
408:Switzerland
348:New Zealand
323:South Korea
318:North Korea
135:Impressment
55:August 2019
1015:Categories
1000:2019-05-28
971:2019-05-07
840:2019-05-06
707:2019-05-06
672:2019-05-06
647:References
368:Mozambique
218:Azerbaijan
84:press gang
942:162131410
909:894410189
798:0361-4441
792:: 61–74.
764:144013492
756:1469-767X
398:Sri Lanka
388:Singapore
333:Lithuania
262:reduction
213:Australia
208:Argentina
45:and help
966:Refworld
867:92459457
863:ProQuest
861:. 1869.
806:24487709
903:. DIA.
461:Ireland
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338:Myanmar
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288:France
258:Cyprus
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802:JSTOR
760:S2CID
667:(PDF)
273:Egypt
238:China
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313:Iran
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