The Law "On Military Service and the Status of Military Personnel" in the Republic of Kazakhstan does not provide for alternative military service.

However, since March 2013, the country's citizens have had the opportunity to study on the military reserve training programme for a fee. The main purpose of this is to give citizens who have not completed military service due to certain circumstances the opportunity to obtain a military occupational specialty.

Upon successful completion of the training programme, graduates are awarded a certificate of training completion from a specialized organization under the Ministry of Defense of the Republic of Kazakhstan. Among conscripts, the military rank of 'Private' is awarded and those liable for military service are registered, exempting them from conscription.

Who is eligible to study for a fee?

Those over the age of 24 who are fit, or only partially fit, for military service for health reasons — including those previously exempt from conscription or with a conscription deferral — can complete military service for a fee.

Note that the deferral is granted:

• for family reasons;
• in the event of ongoing education;
• for health reasons;
• for other reasons.

Who is exempt from conscription:

• those acknowledged unfit for military service for health reasons;
• those, who were lawfully not drafted for military service upon reaching the age of 27;
• those, whose relative (father, mother, brother or sister) died or became a disabled of first or second group upon execution of duties when undergoing military service;
• those, who undergone military (alternative) service in other country;
• those who served in special government agencies;
• those, who have an academic degree;
• clergies of registered religious associations.

In accordance with Article 12 of the Law "On Military Service and the Status of Military Personnel," the training of citizens is carried out on a fee-paying basis in accordance with the Rules of Training in Military-Technical and Other Specialties.

What does the training involve?

The training of citizens in military-technical and other military specialties for a fee is a public service provided by the Ministry of Defense of the Republic of Kazakhstan.

The applications are accepted and the public service delivery results are issued through the "Government for Citizens" State Corporation" (hereinafter - State Corporation).

Public service delivery result is as follows:

1) At the first stage, a notification of enrollment for the training of citizens in military–technical and other military specialties or a reasoned refusal to provide public service, in cases and on the following grounds:

1. Establishment of unreliability of the documents submitted by a service recipient for receiving a public service, and (or) the data (information) contained therein;
2. Non-compliance of a service recipient and (or) submitted materials, objects, data and information necessary for provision of public services with the requirements established by regulatory legal acts of the Republic of Kazakhstan.

If the service recipient submits an incomplete package of documents as listed below, the State Corporation employee refuses to accept the application and issues a receipt for refusal of the documents.

The list of required documents:

1. Application in the form according to Appendix 2 to the public service standard.
2. An identity document (for identification).
3. Personal military registration document (certificate of registration, military ID, temporary ID (instead of a military ID).
4. Copy of document on education (original copy for verification).
5. A medical examination card indicating fitness for military service.

2) at the second stage, a certificate of completion of training under the military reserve training programme is issued.

Training in military-technical specialties is conducted during 35 training days in the following specialties: shooter, bomb thrower and machine gunner.

The beginning and end of the training for conscripts liable for military service in military, technical and other specialities is considered to be the date on which orders are issued by the branch director or acting officer for enrollment and graduation.

The length of the study programme for conscripts liable for military service in military-technical and other specialities depends on the speciality covered in the curriculum.

At the same time, conscripts and those liable for military service undergo training from February 1 to December 20.

It should be noted that it is recommended that the details of the training periods are clarified within the defence affairs divisions or departments.

Final exams are held upon completion of training to check the quality of conscript training. Conscripts (those liable for military service) who have completed a full course of study and received positive grades and credits in all subjects set out in the curriculum are permitted to sit the exams.

During their period of study at the training centres, conscripts and those liable for military service are provided with seasonal field uniforms, 24-hour barracks accommodation with three meals a day, and laundry and bathing facilities.

The military enlistment offices assign the military occupational specialty when issuing a military ID, in accordance with the certificate of completion of the military reserve training programme and the received specialty.

Conscripts who are liable for military service while studying military-technical and other specialities retain their place of work (position). During this period, they cannot be dismissed by the employer except in the event of the legal entity being liquidated, nor can they be expelled from the educational organization by the head of the organization.