"How the generals keep control of Myanmar Military"
by Captain Nyi Thuta

- Homeless people, illiterates and criminals were largely recruited.

- There's a 5 year bond. But in reality, there's no way out once in.

- Their families were forced to relocate to military compounds.1/

2/ It's very rare to see a soldier who can go back home even just a week in a year. So, they have no other choice but to bring their families in.

- Military pay from 150$ - 1200$ for each recruits

- There's a recruit target set for each officer ranks starting from Major.

3/ You might ask why they do what they do. Well, because they dont have a choice. It's not because the generals are too good at influencing the officers but because the army is like a modern slavery regime. I could say this loudly now because i've already defected (CDM-ed).

4/ Next is their salary. Soldiers with 15 years of service earn barely 150$ or just 4$ a day. That means they can't even afford a decent breakfast at a small hotel or shop at supermarkets. But, they still follows the orders. Why? well, it's because of this modern slavery system.

5/ And that minimum-wage salary don't go to soldiers directly. It'll be deposited in military-owned banks and the bank savings-book is controlled by officers. You have to ask for permissions repeatedly if you want to withdraw that money. What's worse is life-insurance payments.

6/ Life insurance premiums are mandatory. In addition, there's "mandatory investment scheme" into military-owned companies such as MEC/MEHLs. So, soldiers ended up having nothing to spend on. In short, the generals made soldiers dirt poor intentionally so they can control them.

7/ So, in summary, the generals control the army by making soldiers poor and giving them "benefits" if they are loyal and follow orders. That's why the generals still thrive at what they do. I'll elaborate a little more about the generals in my next post .

Nyi Thuta (20/04/2021)