“We have served for more than 30 years. We are over the age of 50 now. We applied to permission to retire but we weren’t allowed to retire. Now, we are facing difficulties. I want the higher officials from the military to assist us,” a soldier from the Tatmadaw said speaking on condition of anonymity.

“We are old and our health is not good anymore. So we want to retire from the military. Many old people in the military have not been allowed to retire. We are from the regiments in Buthidaung, Rathedaung, and Sittwe. We doubt whether we can even retire at the age of 60 if it continues like this,” he added.

The official Tatmadaw retirement age is 60.

The Tatmadaw source asked Narinjara News not to reveal the names and regiments of the soldiers trying to retire as they fear their pension may be revoked in retaliation for speaking out.

The soldiers have contacted Narinjara News about the issue numerous times.

Translated by Thida Linn
Edited by Laignee Barron