Relevance of the Conscription Program

Relevance of the Conscription Program on Institutional Performance of the United Arab Emirates Military Service A Case Study of Zayed Military City

 Abstract

Military services worldwide have become an integral part of governance today. Countries with stable military bases have never encountered any vacuum or destabilized governance. In contrast, other countries have witnessed coups due to disorganized armies that do not speak in one accord.APA

The UAE has strived over time to ensure that they have a comprehensive army that would not lead to a government in place being overthrown at whatever the cost may be. From the days when the military was divided and each emirate had its military base to the consolidation of the army to one, the government of the United Arab Emirates has come up with the conscription program to ensure the citizens get basic military skills and training. The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has a unique leadership structure, with the military playing a pivotal role in leadership and regime change. Every state has an armed force to deal with domestic and foreign threats to its stability. The military is one facet of government that keeps an eye on how well and safely each regime is doing. The United Arab Emirates (UAE) boasts one of the greatest militaries in the Gulf now that its force is unified and can operate as one. The army’s success can also be attributed to the conscription policy, which compels male citizens aged 18 to 30 to join the armed forces. Relevance of the Conscription Program

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

Background of the study 

In 2014, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) began involuntarily conscripting young men as part of an experiment whose ultimate results were never known. The government was trying out if they could maximize the idle citizens to join the army and get some military skills. The decision made by the Emirates went against the grain of national and global trends. As a result of a shift in the priorities placed on the military, many nations are moving away from the practice of obligatory national service and toward recruiting highly trained volunteers instead (Alterman & Balboni, 2017). On the other hand, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) came to the conclusion that it was in the best interest of the nation as a whole to draft young men and make them undergo mandatory military training. After carefully considering various options, the decision to have compulsory military service was arrived at. One of them was the agitated atmosphere that prevailed throughout the region. One more was to instill in residents a stronger sense of national pride in their country. Third, the government became increasingly aware of the necessity of preparing its workforce for a post-oil era. At the same time, growing numbers of young Emirati men faced growing concerns that they were becoming “soft” and lazy (Barany, 2017: pg 25). The determination of the United Arab Emirates to retaliate against those who supported the Arab Spring uprisings in 2011 is the fourth factor to consider. Before concluding that decisive action was required, the leadership of the UAE gave each of these considerations careful consideration. The program’s developers aimed to foster positive personal qualities in participants of the armed forces, educate the general public about their country, and instill a sense of discipline and preparedness in those serving in the armed forces. Those under the age of 18 were not the exclusive demographic of the target audience. Because men under the age of 30 are required to register, they will be required to quit their jobs and move away from their families to live in barracks with their contemporaries, perform morning calisthenics, and clean bathrooms. According to Barany (2018) pg 127, under twenty percent of those medically unfit to serve in the armed forces are not exempt from being retrained for essential civilian industries. The United Arab Emirates (UAE) learned about Israel’s program through a third party. It was inspired to initiate its national service program after learning about programs of a similar nature in Finland, Singapore, and South Korea. Compared to these other nations, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has been well ahead of the curve in terms of citizenship education, workforce development, and public health initiatives. Relevance of the Conscription Program

Contrary to the fifty thousand men who have been drafted, there have only been about eight hundred and fifty women who have volunteered. Women are typically relegated to the role of family members of conscripts, where they are expected to play supportive roles (Zayed, 2018: pg 153). There is widespread agreement regarding the program’s benefits, but it is not entirely clear what the unintended effects of specific provisions will be.

Nevertheless, the program offers the most tangible evidence to date of the leadership of the UAE, including how it evaluates the benefits and drawbacks of its society, the optimal course of action, and its goals. This establishment is more than just a military school; it provides access to diverse services. Building a society with the assistance of the armed forces is the goal of the program that is being implemented. The goals that the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has set for itself and the path it will take to achieve them will not only be of great benefit to the UAE, but they will also be of great benefit to its neighbors. To the best of our knowledge, this report is the most comprehensive attempt to define and understand the UAE conscription program, its successes, limitations, and potential unintended consequences (KHAN, 2014: pg 17). The report will describe the origins of the initiative. This article utilizes primary research to highlight essential parts of the UAE program, emphasizing significant developments, and concentrates on the program’s early results. The long-term repercussions of the decisions made by Emiratis are also taken into consideration. Relevance of the Conscription Program

Research Objectives 

General Objective

This study’s objective is to gain a deeper comprehension of the processes that led to the formation of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) conscription program and its impact to date.

Specific Objectives

• To determine the criteria and rationale used to consider those worthy of joining the military ranks and in what capacities.
• To examine the role of female conscripts in the Zayed Military City as opposed to the roles and duties assigned to men.
• To investigate the benefits of those who join and undertake the available training and roles at Zayed Military City.
• To examine the extent to which the country had benefited from the conscription program as opposed to when the program was not in place. 

Research Questions  

1. Will the implementation of this program increase the prevalence of militarism among Emiratis?
2. Will a program focusing more on men widen the already significant gender gap in the UAE?

• Is it possible to socialize young men into the hierarchical system of the military and then prepare them for entrepreneurial professions in a highly networked world?

1. Will there be sufficient effort over a long enough period to ensure that the program continues to operate at an adequate level for it to have the desired effect?

Significance of the Study

The study will explore the UAE’s conscription program and its far-reaching effects since its inception. From this study, an individual would have decided on whether the program is good for the country or otherwise and possibly have recommendations for the same, as the initiatives in place are certainly not convincing and good for the country yet. While Zayed Military City was chosen as the case study for this research, the overall work will have a national outlook on the country’s entire military structure and system. The recommendations will thus befit any other military training camp across the whole country. Relevance of the Conscription Program

CHAPTER TWO 

LITERATURE REVIEW 

Overview 

A review of the literature used in this study is presented in this paper. Past studies linked to this work are critical since they guide the researcher in future studies related to this research. The paper gives scholarly perspectives on how the military operations of the UAE have been conducted over time and the changes that have been made thus far to have a robust army to deal with any attempt of aggression against the country.

Research Questions  

1. Will the implementation of this program increase the prevalence of militarism among Emiratis?
2. Will a program focusing more on men widen the already significant gender gap in the UAE?

• Is it possible to socialize young men into the hierarchical system of the military and then prepare them for entrepreneurial professions in a highly networked world?

1. Will there be sufficient effort over a long enough period to ensure that the program continues to operate at an adequate level for it to have the desired effect?

Literature Review

Introduction

The civil-military links of the Gulf monarchy are going through a period of transition at the moment. In contrast to their historical practice of keeping a strict separation between civilians and military personnel—the vast majority of whom were traditionally recruited from other Arab or Muslim nations—the governments of the Gulf States have recently begun to implement conscription to strengthen national identities. The conscription programs have been in place for nearly a decade as the first country to come up with the idea of mandatory military training did so in 2013 (Choulis et al., 2021: pg 245).

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) gained freedom from British colonial authority along the Turicial Coast in 1971 (KHAN, 2014: pg 12). The United Arab Emirates (UAE) expected Qatar and Bahrain to join it once it gained independence, but instead, these countries decided to remain apart. Also, trying to go it alone, Ras al-Khaimah failed because of a lack of resources, funding, and international assistance. Afterward, it became a member of the UAE and eventually an emirate. The United Arab Emirates consists of seven emirates, the largest of which is Abu Dhabi. Most of the world’s oil and gas reserves are found in Dubai (KHAN, 2014: pg 17) Oil exports account for 60% of the UAE’s GDP. Relevance of the Conscription Program

Origin of Conscription in the Gulf

In 2013, Qatar became the first country in the world to implement male conscription by mandating that men between the ages of 18 and 35 report for registration for three to four months. After then, in March of 2018, this was made permanent for an entire year. The United Arab Emirates (UAE) adopted a law very similar to this one in 2014, mandating that all males between the ages of 18 and 30 serve in the military for a time ranging from nine months to two years, the specific duration of which depended on the educational background of the individual (Barany, 2018: pg 135). In 2017, Kuwait returned its compulsory military service for males aged 18 to 35, which had been removed from the country’s constitution in 2001. Those who have finished their mandatory military duty in Qatar and are under 40 during their recall could be called back into service within the next decade if war breaks out, or martial law is enacted. In that case, active conscripts may be obliged to continue serving in the military beyond the end of the period initially agreed upon for their duty. The United Arab Emirates expects ex-conscripts to perform two to four weeks of annual training until age 58 (Roberts, 2020: pg 324). Relevance of the Conscription Program

Because deferments and exemptions from military service are permitted by law in some nations, not every male who registers is obligated to serve in the military. In nations such as Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates, and Qatar, a man’s exemption from mandatory military duty can be granted if he can prove that he is the primary breadwinner or the “son of a martyr.” If caught, people who refuse to register with the government or join the military out of fear of being conscripted face penalties and possibly even time spent in jail. Mason (2018) on page 99 highlights that a fine of between AED 10,000 and 50,000 may be imposed on citizens who attempt to dodge the conscription program. A jail term of between one month and a year may as well be part of the punishment or both. Relevance of the Conscription Program

In addition, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) began permitting women to enroll voluntarily for nine months in June 2014, extending those durations to twelve months in 2016 (Zayed, 2018: pg 146). In 2016, the terms were extended to thirteen months.

Rationale to Joining the Program

As part of the UAE’s effort to better educate its citizens for the world beyond high school, the government has mandated that any Emirati who drops out of high school without receiving a diploma or other appropriate certification must serve in the armed forces for three years. The government revealed impending modifications to national service that would make training “more practical” in a released statement to the public. All male Emiratis must serve in the armed forces 18 and 30, regardless of gender. It was first used in 2014 for a mission that lasted a whole year. It was made permanent in 2018, and it is still in place up until the present day. A report issued by the Judicial Department of Abu Dhabi in 2017 indicated that young Emiratis’ crimes decreased by 75% between 2014 and 2017 (Roberts, 2020: pg 309). Fights and assaults that resulted in death or injury were much less common among those aged 18 to 30. This reduction in frequency was significant. In contrast to the previous three years, during which 274 cases were documented, just 61 were discovered. Relevance of the Conscription Program

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) is in a pickle, and it will not be able to get out of it unless they have the most powerful military in the world to protect its enormous wealth. It has garnered an equal number of critics and admirers due to ideological differences and the need to differentiate oneself from the rest who hold the popular opinion. As a consequence, it is apprehensive of its neighbors due to the likelihood that they will collaborate with the enemy to bring it down as it basks in its position as the dominant power in the world. The United Arab Emirates (UAE) is experiencing difficulties both within its borders and in other parts of the world (Hertog, 2011: pg 401). These problems might range from disagreements inside the national government to conflicts within the various emirates. The United Arab Emirates has access to everything it needs to find solutions to its problems; the only thing it appears to need is a reliable and well-equipped military. For this, it is prepared to pay any price. However, the United Arab Emirates is not the only country with this problem. Relevance of the Conscription Program

Improvements to the Conscription Service

Major-General Abdul Hadi al-Amri, who serves as the deputy head of the security committee of Saudi Arabia’s shura council, recommended that the country’s personnel demands be met by voluntary enlistment in February 2018. Sheikh Abdul Aziz Al ash-Sheikh, the Grand Mufti, has emphasized the importance of military training for male residents in the context of rising geopolitical concerns. Iqbal Darandari, a female Shura member also called for the compulsory conscription of both men and women as a national duty.

The monarchies of the Gulf have shown, by their use of compulsory military service that they are attempting to adjust to the fluid nature of the environment in the region. Notably, as the global price of oil has decreased, so has these countries’ ability to pay for foreign nationals, including those who have served in their forces. This is the case even when oil prices have declined internationally. In part, a need for more vital national togetherness has been fueled by political upheaval in surrounding regions and the growth of militant non-state organizations. The Iranian revolution and emergence of leftist groups was a major concern to the UAE (Marshall et al., 2016: pg 241). Conscription has, throughout history, been a tried-and-true strategy for building national loyalty and patriotism during times of transition from one monarch to the next, despite the political problems associated with it. For example, in November 2013, just a few months after Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani seized the throne in June, the country of Qatar approved the National Service Law. This occurred just a few months after the country’s capital city of Doha was renamed after him. Relevance of the Conscription Program

Position of Gulf States on Women Joining the Conscription Program

In Saudi Arabia, the Crown Prince and Minister of Defense Mohammed bin Salman’s decision to allow women to serve in the military coincides with the country’s extraordinary military operations in Yemen, the complete restructuring of the security industry, and the gradual “Saudization” of the labor force. All of these changes have been brought about by the Saudi government (Haque, 2019: pg 697). Relevance of the Conscription Program

When brought up in public conversation, the objectives of the Gulf states become much more transparent. Prior to the commencement of the program, Doha’s Minister of State for Defense, Major-General Hamad bin Ali al-Attiyah, stressed the program’s civic education purpose by stating that required military service will assist Qataris to become “perfect citizens.” Classes on citizenship, national security, and history are part of the national service program in Qatar, which served as a model for similar programs in the UAE and Kuwait (Roberts, 2020: pg 320). The national service program in Qatar is one of the most comprehensive in the world. As a direct consequence of Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Bahrain maintaining their blockade of Qatar introduce an increasing number of Qataris feel compelled to join the armed forces. As a result, Qatar can decide to increase the amount it spends on its military and the number of troops it has.

Similarly, the United Arab Emirates Armed Forces (UAF) was established to facilitate the transition from primary to advanced levels of military education. The National Service School of the Presidential Guard in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) was established in March 2016 to keep the number of men enrolled there yearly at 5,000. Volunteers who did not have the prerequisite requirements could participate in “alternative service,” which consisted of providing administrative or technical support to the National Service School of the Presidential Guard. Relevance of the Conscription Program

Challenges of the Program

When paired with militaristic approaches to foreign policy, conscription effectively mobilizes the armed forces and projects the nation’s authority abroad. The shared sorrow felt by Gulf nations following the loss of their service members, particularly Emiratis, in Yemen provides a compelling indication of the existence of this connection. Despite their lack of combat experience, some Emirati conscripts were deployed to Yemen with members of the Presidential Guard. However, after a Houthi raid (a military rebellion in Yemen) on Mareb on September 4, 2015, in which 45 Emiratis were killed, the United Arab Emirates decided to stop deploying conscripts to Yemen. In November 2016, the Martyrs’ Families’ Affairs Office in Abu Dhabi presented the Wahat al-Karama, which translates from Arabic to “Oasis of Dignity.” It stands as a memorial to the Emirati servicemen and women who gave their lives while serving their country. These servicemen have been recognized as national heroes and martyrs throughout this community. Relevance of the Conscription Program

In light of the rivalry between Iran and the United States, it can be challenging for the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to uphold its commitment to national security as they are vigilant not to take sides for the sake of diplomatic ties. If the United States of America and Iran worked together, they could sidestep the United Arab Emirates in the decision-making process which will have a significance on the operations of the army (Foley, 1999: pg 26). Suppose the United Arab Emirates (UAE) wants to maintain its place at the bargaining table. In that case, it will need to demonstrate a higher level of military prowess than Iran and keep its pace of military expansion closely aligned with that of the United States. Relevance of the Conscription Program

Another way Gulf regimes advance their nationalist agendas is by implementing mandatory military service. For instance, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) intends to decrease the percentage of its military forces comprised of foreigners. In the 1990s, this percentage was approximately forty percent (40%) of the total. Since that time, the Northern Emirates, such as Ras al-Khaimah, which is home to 61% of the total population of the United Arab Emirates, have been given preferential attention regarding chances for employment (Yates, 2016: pg 190). They have high hopes that by mandating that members of the northern tribes serve in the military, they will be able to enhance connections with Abu Dhabi and garner more support for the armed forces (Yates, 2016: pg 199). In August 2015, the United Arab Emirates announced that children born to Emirati mothers and foreign males would be granted citizenship if they served in the armed forces. This is a significant change from previous practice (Lori, 2011: pg 319). Relevance of the Conscription Program

Expatriates in the Military

About 64,500 people serve in the armed forces of the United Arab Emirates; most of these are visitors to the country from other countries (Krieg, 2022: pg 153). Abu Dhabi provides 80% of the military’s budget and human resources, making it the most significant contributor (Marshall et al., 2016: pg 241). The disagreements between the ruling families of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and the regional differences between the various emirates are reflected in the military structure of the UAE. During the war between Iran and Iraq, the emirates took opposing sides in the conflict. There are issues at the internal borders of the emirates as well as the external borders of the emirates. Disputes between the emirates are, unless they originate from within one of them, resolved by the Supreme Council of Ministers, which comprises the rulers of all emirates. Relevance of the Conscription Program

According to a report that was published by the United Press International (UPI) on March 20, 1997, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and other Gulf states employed a significant number of people from other countries, mainly from Pakistan, to serve in their armed forces until the late 1980s. According to Western defense source, the United Arab Emirates would need to hire and train many individuals from other countries to operate the military equipment that needs high technical know how to operate and maintain. French armored recovery vehicles and battle tanks were imported. People from several different Arab countries, as well as Pakistan, serve in the armed forces of the United Arab Emirates. The Research Directorate made the most of the limited time they had to explore the internet for information that is freely accessible to the public to prepare this response. Note that this response is not designed to be definitive on whether or not a particular claim for asylum or refugee status is valid, and it does not purport to be definitive either.

The traditional pattern of civil-military interactions in the Gulf monarchies, which had previously been focused solely on regime security and coup-proofing measures with a clear separation of troops and civilians, is currently undergoing a transition that will result in a change in the traditional pattern. It is becoming more common to refer to soldiers as “modernizers.” They are credited with galvanizing national identities and forging closer linkages between people and the armed services. It has been argued that Gulf governments are increasingly turning to conscription as a national engineering project to gain public support for the changeover to post-rentier institutions amid an unpredictable regional environment. This claim is based on the fact that the Gulf region is home to many countries that practice mandatory military service. Relevance of the Conscription Program

Achievements of the Conscription Program

The members of the National Service are taught respect and discipline, which have contributed to a fall in the rate of crime committed by young Emiratis by 75% over the past three years. The most noticeable change was observed in the number of confrontations and attacks that involved individuals aged 18 to 30 that resulted in fatalities and serious injuries. During the preceding three years, prior to the introduction of national service in 2014, there were a total of 274 incidents confirmed. In the preceding three years, there have been a total of sixty-one. Participants in the National Service program in Abu Dhabi thought their entire progress as persons and professionals were contributed to by their participation in the program, as stated by the Abu Dhabi Justice Department. As a result of their engagement, they reported an increase in their self-awareness and sense of civic responsibility. According to the Department of Defense, many service members describe their time in the military as a “defining event” in their lives. The number of instances of vandalism has reduced by 25.2% over the past three years, going from 694 to 519. This represents a comparison to the prior period of 36 months. Trespassing occurrences declined by 11.5%, with the total number of events falling from 374 to 273, while the use of profanity was reduced by 27%. This provides irrefutable evidence that participation in forced national service helps minimize criminal activity and instills robust civic principles in the individuals who complete the program. In addition, the number of incidents involving returned checks or checks that bounced reduced by 53%, going from 3,369 to 1,587. The second wave of individuals to enlist in the army was when Abdullah Al Mansoori joined the senior ranks of the army leadership. He believed his time serving in the National Service had helped him become more patient, persistent, and independent. Relevance of the Conscription Program

Mr. Al Mansoori observed that the program positively impacted the community by encouraging residents to be more devoted to their country and the leaders of that country. This was one of the ways how the program encouraged individuals to be more devoted. According to the words of the recruits, the military discipline that was subjected to the recruits shaped their mentality and made them more willing to follow the regulations. Military duty, in the opinion of Dherar Al Falasi, director of the Watani Al Emarat social development program, which encourages participants to construct a sense of national identity and responsible citizenship, is an excellent way to get in shape. They have also learned how to better manage the time that they have available to them. In addition to a decline in criminal activity, many other facets of community life also show substantial improvement. After leaving the military, he contended that young men became more worried about their health and well-being. Mohamed Al Qadhi, in his capacity as an employee of Sandooq Al Watan, a private charity that aids Emiratis with their education, has declared that the United Arab Emirates required military service program is one of the most precious assets that the country possesses. It provides individuals with chances that can radically alter the course of their lives and contributes to the maintenance of our great nation’s health and prosperity. It teaches children vital character traits and life skills that will serve them well in the coming years; thus, it is an investment in their future. Males between 18 and 30 must serve in the military for one year as part of a national service program (Barany, 2017). Volunteers are required to be United Arab Emirates citizens between the ages of 30 and 40. Requiring citizens of the United Arab Emirates to perform national service would benefit the country’s civic culture, inspire its residents to be better citizens and neighbors, assist in poor areas of the country, and strengthen the nation’s defenses. Because of this, I believe that a yes vote is the best option. Relevance of the Conscription Program

Conclusion

The United Arab Emirates has a strong military establishment that is always ready to act whenever a situation gives rise to suspicions or a cause for concern about something. Because of its enormous oil reserves and production, the economy of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has developed into one of the safest and most stable on the global stage. The United Arab Emirates continues to invest significant resources into modernizing its military, even though it does not participate in many international conflicts (Roberts, 2020: pg 331). This research is crucial because it will help us understand what precipitated the current state of affairs in this Middle Eastern country and whether or not its residents expect things to get worse shortly. Relevance of the Conscription Program

Even though the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has good relations with its neighbors at the moment, they are still concerned that Iran will launch an attack against them. Iran does not pose a significant threat because of its restricted ability to carry out attacks due to lack of modern weapons to unleash attacks on UAE. Conflict on the front lines The United Arab Emirates (UAE) is embroiled in border disputes with three of its nearest neighbors (Oman, Iran, and Qatar), in addition to boundary disagreements within several of its seven emirates themselves (Marshall et al., 2016: pg 241). Iran asserts that three islands in the Gulf belong to it, despite the United Arab Emirates claim that they are part of its territory. These islands include Abu Musa, the Greater and the Lesser Tunbs, and Tunbs. Additionally, it has been involved in a territorial dispute with the country of Saudi Arabia.

The Abu Musa islands can harbor enormous ships and are also a source of oil and lead oxide. The United Arab Emirates (UAE) maintains that the islands were wrongfully taken from Iran by the British during their colonial rule. Iran is demanding the return of her islands because they were stolen from her by force (Alterman & Balboni, 2017). Suppose Iran decides to launch attacks or otherwise disrupt island life. In that case, it is necessary to have a robust military comprised of personnel that has received adequate training and an established chain of command to protect the resources of the islands and the civilians who have already been stationed there. Relevance of the Conscription Program

According to Rossiter pg 41, the United Arab Emirates wanted to feel important in the struggle for dominance, so they took the side of the United States during the historic Tanker War. This led them to side with the United States. Because of its position as the preeminent superpower in the world, the United States is the nation that is best equipped to and makes the most sense to entrust with the defense of the confederation. As a result of the United States request for financial and logistical assistance from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) during Operation Desert Storm, the two nations negotiated a shaky defense contract that would allow American troops and equipment to be stationed in the UAE. This agreement would also allow American bases to be established in the UAE. Because of these occurrences, the United Arab Emirates significantly increased the money it spends on its military to support the United States. During the war between Iraq and Israel which was prompted by Israel supporting Iran, the United States provided support for Israel; however, the United Arab Emirates believed that Iraq should receive support instead, which lowered the value of the alliance. Because of the unrest, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), which hosts American military installations, is being forced to increase the amount of money it spends on its military. Relevance of the Conscription Program

CHAPTER THREE

 Introduction 

This chapter explains the research methodology that will be used to conduct this study, including the research design, area of study, the population that will be interviewed and interacted with during the study, sampling and sampling techniques, instruments for data collection, state of the instruments used in data collection data analysis techniques, procedures for collecting data, ethical practices, and the shortcomings of the study.

Research Design 

During this research, a cross-sectional research design will be adopted. A research design is a method and strategy for determining the answers and solutions to research challenges. A cross-sectional research design is a form of study in which multiple respondents are interviewed, and their opinions on the researcher’s questions are solicited (Bethlehem, 1999). Due to financial constraints, this research strategy will be used since it is time and resource-efficient because respondents are interviewed concurrently rather than the researcher having to go from one location to another in search of data to evaluate. The descriptive design utilized to collect data included qualitative and quantitative research methodologies. If a large population is involved and data triangulation is required, qualitative and quantitative data collection methods are advised.

Population of study 

The study will look into the relevance of the conscription service in the UAE since its inception and the recommendations that should be done so that the program can be of much help and possibly improve on the benefits it has had thus far on the country’s military operation. The study will be undertaken at Zayed Military City, which is a military base with a reputation to reckon with and would probably give a national outlook of the whole military service in the country. The United Arab Emirates Army is comprised of a total of 77,000 members, with approximately 65,000 active members. The ground forces of the Gulf state are equipped with 9255 armored vehicles, 354 tanks, 76 field guns, and 183 self-propelled guns. They have a total of 554 aircraft, including 100 interceptor and attack aircraft, 39 transport aircraft, 146 training aircraft, 23 special purpose aircraft, 3 refueling aircraft, and 223 helicopters and 30 assault helicopters, giving them the 20th greatest air power in the world. The United Arab Emirates Navy is comprised of 79 different units, some of which include nine cruisers, thirty-eight patrol boats, and two minesweepers. The study will include fifty military personnel in the junior ranks of the military service, those in senior military capacities will have limited slots for the study as they will be interviewed directly by the interviewer. A total of one hundred respondents will be available to answer the various questions that would be brought forth for the interviews and questionnaires. Relevance of the Conscription Program

Calculation of the sample size 

The sample size will be thirty-five respondents, twenty students and ten teaching staff members, and five drawn from the non-teaching staff fraternity. Out of the ten teaching staff members, three will be heads of various departments, while the rest will be lecturers. The method employed in selecting the respondents is ideal since it consists of respondents with managerial experience and students who directly feel the impact of the particular leadership style used.

The Krejcie and Morgan (1970) formula will be used to determine the sample size of the population (Chuan & Penyelidikan, 2006).

Sample (n) = X2 NP (1-2) + D2 (N-1) + X2P (1-P)

Where n is the required sample size, X2 is the table value of the chi-square for one degree of freedom at the desired confidence level (4.2), N is the population size, P is the population proportion, and D is the degree of accuracy that is expressed as a proportion (0.05)

Sampling technique and procedure 

 A simple random sampling technique is to be picked for those who are to participate in the study, while the questionnaires will be filled at the convenience of each respondent. Simple random sampling is the ideal method to avoid bias in a population sample where the respondents are similar. The sampled population will then be subdivided into different groups. On the material date of data collection, a questionnaire will be distributed among students with a range of questions, and there are a set of questions that a group of students will answer while the staff will attend to others. Random sampling would mean that anyone within the premises of the selected learning institution will be given the questionnaire to fill, provided there is proof that they are students or part of the staff. The selection should be made through the institution’s various departments to have a range of responses that will help in the data analysis section of the proposal. Relevance of the Conscription Program

Methods of data collection

The researcher will use but not be limited to four data collection methods to find the required data. Questionnaires, surveys, interviews, and observations are used to obtain data. The questionnaire provided to the students will be vital for data collection. Questions that require elaborative answers will make up the qualitative data, while those that require specific responses for an answer will constitute the quantitative data and will implore quantitative methods of data collection.

Questionnaire 

A questionnaire will be used since the research involves a large sample size; it is easy to obtain information through questionnaires. The respondents will be given the questionnaires to go and fill out at their time of convenience (Grassini, S., & Laumann, 2020). After a week, the questionnaires were collected to kick off the data analysis stage.

Surveys 

The surveys will mainly get the respondents’ feedback after participating in the study. It is relatively shorter than the questionnaire since it needs a quick response to ascertain whether the questionnaires were tiring or okay with the respondent.

Interviews 

The researcher will interview a sample of the preferred members of the military service. Those who will be considered first will include the senior military personnel who have served in the army for quite some time and have the deserving experience. The idea is that senior military members would have limited time to go over the surveys. As a result, the interview will be sufficient to elicit information from them. Despite this, they have held leadership positions and are qualified to provide detailed answers to the interviewer’s inquiries. This tool is highly suggested for a small sample size because it is versatile and requires verbal dialogue to collect the required data. When the interviewer is excellent enough, they can learn more about the information during the study that a questionnaire could not provide. Questionnaires limit people’s responses, but interviews allow people to say more about the topic at hand. It also provides a thorough explanation of various topics in a short amount of time.

Observation 

Data will be collected using an observation checklist. If the researcher does not make many assumptions, observation is an essential technique in data collecting; with observation, the researcher can learn about some things that the administration may be concealing. The researcher must meticulously record all they see regarding how the institution is run and the employed leadership style. Because all the activities were seen, the researcher did not need to consult.

Data collection instruments 

Some instruments will be used during the data collection stage of the study. The instruments used included;

Questionnaire 

Most respondents will be given questionnaires to complete and return one week later. As a result, questionnaires have become the primary data collection tools. The respondents are to be polled using both structured and semi-structured questions. The questionnaires were divided into two categories: qualitative and quantitative, and each respondent received one of each.

Observation checklist 

A list of questions is structured in the way it pleases the respondent such that they would tick on the appropriate practice observed that they expected to see in the institution.

Interview guide 

An interview guide will be prepared to be used among the senior members of the military. The significance of the guide is that it helps the interviewer obtain sequential information from the interviewee. When not prepared, the interview could quickly end without the researcher asking about the critical areas that the research was centered on.

Reliability and validity

This study requires a self-written and thoroughly revised questionnaire and interview guide, then provided to the supervisor for revisions and reliability approval. Before being employed in higher learning institutions, the interview guide and questions will be piloted with a group of similar senior managers in any particular learning institution to confirm that they are reliable. The validity index was computed using the formula below;

CVI = NUMBER OF ITEMS REGARDED RELEVANT BY JUDGES/TOTAL NUMBER OF ITEMS

If the CVI is above 0.7, which is considered the bare minimum of the instrument, then the questionnaire is considered for the study.

Procedure for collecting data 

The researcher received a letter from the International Leadership University introducing them to potential responders about what they were doing. The study’s goal was communicated in detail to the respondents, and the anonymity of their responses will be guaranteed.

References

Alterman, J. B., & Balboni, M. (2017). Citizens in Training: Conscription and Nation-building in the United Arab Emirates. Rowman & Littlefield

Barany, Z. (2017). Why have indeed states introduced the draft? Bucking the trend on conscription in Arabia. The RUSI Journal, 162(6), 16–26.

Barany, Z. (2018). Soldiers of Arabia: Explaining Compulsory Military Service in the Gulf. Journal of Arabian Studies, 8(1), 118–140.

Choulis, I., Bakaki, Z., & Böhmelt, T. (2021). Public support for the armed forces: the role of conscription. Defence and Peace Economics, 32(2), 240-251.

Foley, S. (1999). The UAE: political issues and security dilemmas. Middle East, 3(1), 26.

Haque, M. I. (2019). Growth accounting for Saudi Arabia. Asian Economic and Financial Review, 9(6), 691-701.

Hertog, S. (2011). Rentier militaries in the Gulf states The price of coup-proofing. International Journal of Middle East studies, 43(3), 400–402.

KHAN, M. U. H. (2014). UAE National Service and Security. Defense Journal, 17(12).

Krieg, A. (2022). The UAE’s ‘dogs of war’: boosting a small state’s regional power projection. Small Wars & Insurgencies, 33(1-2), 152-172.

Lori, N. (2011). National security and the management of migrant labor: A case study of the United Arab Emirates. Asian and Pacific Migration Journal, 20(3-4), 315-337.

Marshall, S., Albrecht, H., Croissant, A., & Lawson, F. H. (2016). Military Prestige, Defense-Industrial Production, and the Rise of Gulf Military Activism. Armies and Insurgencies in the Arab Spring, 241.

Roberts, D. B. (2020). Bucking the trend: The UAE and the development of military capabilities in the Arab world. Security Studies, 29(2), 301–334.

Rossiter, A. Strength in Unity: The Road to the Integrated UAE Armed Forces. Liwa, 41.

Yates, A. (2016). Western expatriates in the UAE armed forces, 1964–2015. Journal of Arabian Studies, 6(2), 182–200.

Zayed, A. O. (2018). Defying the prohibited arena: Women in the UAE military. Women in the Military and Armed Conflict (pp. 129–160). VS Verlag für Sozialwissenschaften.

APPENDIX 

QUANTITATIVE QUESTIONNAIRE

Questionnaire (you are requested to tick on the appropriate option in the questions below)

What is your gender?

• MALE
• FEMALE

What age bracket do you belong to?

• 18- 23
• 24-29
• 30-35
• Above 35

Have you had any member of your family serve in the army other than you?

• YES
• NO

What is the feeling of serving in the military in whichever capacity you have been to?

• HAPPINNESS
• SADNESS
• NORMAL
• PREFER NOT TO SAY

To what extent do you think you will notice a change after the national service program?

• Little has changed.
• Simple normal alterations
• Variable variation

Have you been in any way affected by the national service program?

• YES
• NO
• MAYBE

In what ways did the national service program affect you?

• I GOT EQUIPED WITH MILITARY SKILLS
• NO HELP
• PREFER NOT TO SAY

Do you think the national service program has improved the country’s levels of accountability in major sectors of the economy and governance?

• YES
• NO
• TO SOME EXTENT

Having served in the military, would you accept a new offer to serve the country in the same capacity after going to retirement?

• YES
• NOT AT ALL
• MAYBE

What do people notice about you that was not there before you joined the military?

• BODY PHYSIQUE
• NOTHING
• PREFER NOT TO SAY

QUALITATIVE QUESTIONNAIRE (INTERVIEW QUESTIONS)

1. Can you tell me about yourself and the experience you have had in the military camp, Zayed Military City?
2. What could be the main reason as to why the government was compelled to come up with the national service despite having an astute military force in place?
3. How has the service been of help to you at personal level thus far? Do you feel it should continue or improvements should be made? Why or why not?
4. How is the society benefiting from the conscription program since its inception?
5. What is your take on the political and military strength of the UAE with the input of the national service program? Why should the program remain to be in place?
6. How has the relationship between the state and society been with the national service program in place? What does the stakeholders in the society have to say with regards to the program?
7. Is the conscription program viable and of help to the government?
8. What steps is the government keen to undertake to ensure the conscription program benefits all the citizens?
9. Is the recruitment process by the government into the program accepted by all? If not what are your suggestions on the same so that everyone would be accommodated and appreciative of the process?
10. Between the conscripts and those serving in the army, who do you feel should be allocated more resources and attention in training? Why?
11. What reasons can you give to support or be against a conscription program for female citizens of the UAE?
12. How does the dominant religion of UAE affect the programs in place for the conscripts?
13. In your view, do you think the conscription program should be inclusive for all and not limited to some group based on their gender? Do you think the conscription program is derailing the need to have a society that is gender inclusive?
14. Give your views why the government needs to maintain the status quo of only having male citizens under the mandatory military training?
15. Suppose the government was to redesign the program to have all female citizens also joining the military upon reaching age 18 is it in order to have them trained in a rigorous and physically oriented exercise? If not why would they be given a fair training as compared to the male conscripts?
16. What should be the role of the parents and guardians in the recruitment process for the female conscripts? Should they be allowed to make personal decisions on joining the program? Why?
17. As a member of the army, what sort of training should you recommend for the conscripts bearing in mind that not all of them joined voluntarily?
18. Do you think the institution concerned with imposing fines on citizens who fail to join the program should review their terms and modes of operation? Why or why not?
19. Do you think that Zayed Military City should be exclusively for conscripts? Why or why not?
20. In your opinion, can conscripts and serving military personnel coexist in one military camp? What would be the benefits of having the two groups in one camp?
21. During the entire training period for conscripts, should they have the freedom to associate with the rest of the citizens? What is the reason for your answer?
22. Are you for the idea that conscripts be trained and made aware of some of the silks and information considered to be delicate in the military ranks? What would be the effect of letting them aware of the secrets?
23. Should it be automatic for a conscript to join the army after the period of training elapses? If so, how would the country deal with the huge number of military personnel that would be encountered?
24. Could the security of the nation be at stake with a good number of conscripts with military knowledge left out to go on their usual business? How can the country come with strategies to curb the menace suppose it was to threaten the security of the country?
25. What role do you think should be played by retired military personnel in ensuring the country is safe and no external aggression is witnessed?
26. With the conscription program in place, do you think the UAE is finally liberated from any form of attack that might occur? How can the graduate conscripts be of help in case of attack from terror and militia groups?
27. Should the conscripts be equipped and authorized to possess military equipment in preparation for any form of attack? What would be the implication of arming the conscripts?
28. What is the remedy for fighting the terror groups who makes new advances each day and seem to be financed by well-coordinated organizations?
29. The physical trainings given to the conscripts and the rest of the military personnel, can it be improved and through what ways to make the response service be prompt and able to fight any gang or militia group?
30. Do you feel the program is sustainable and can run for as long as the UAE is in existence? If not, what are some of the strategies that should be in place to ensure that the program will remain?