Kazakhstan MP champions military service as a national honour, not duty

Natalya Dementyeva, a member of Kazakhstan’s Mazhilis, is pushing for stronger military-patriotic education across the country. She argues that military service should be viewed as an honour, not just an obligation, and has made it a key focus of her work. Her efforts include modernising training programmes and fostering closer ties between families, schools, and the state. Dementyeva’s approach centres on a unified system that begins in schools and extends into youth organisations. The framework combines basic military training, military-patriotic clubs, sports events, and history lessons. Its goal is to ensure young people understand defending their homeland as a personal responsibility.

Her involvement goes beyond policy discussions. She regularly takes part in conscription campaigns and visits military units to engage directly with recruits. Dementyeva’s perspective is also shaped by personal experience—her son, Adikhan, completed his mandatory service in December 2021. She describes military service as a vital school for young men, teaching discipline, independence, and responsibility. Alongside practical training, she stresses the need for ideological support to reinforce patriotism and counter harmful narratives. Trust in the army, she argues, must be built through transparency and cooperation at every level.

The proposed system aims to create a culture where military service is respected and valued. By integrating education, family support, and public engagement, Dementyeva seeks to strengthen national defence from the ground up. Her work reflects a broader effort to prepare young Kazakhs for their roles in safeguarding the country.