1. During the time of struggle for independence, Burma Independence Army(B.I.A), the first ever standard Army, was formed. It was reformed later as Burma Defence Army (B.D.A) and then Burma Patriotic Force(B.P.F). At the dawn of independence, Myanmar Armed Forces (Tatmadaw) was reorganized as Burma Army, Burma Navy and Burma Air Force. Only limited number of personnel form BPF were enrolled into newly formed MAF in accordance with W.E of MAF and individual preference. The rest of the former combatants went back home and settled down as veterans in various parts of Myanmar. Those veterans formed various associations locally as well as functionally to support each other and to exchange views on current political affairs.
2. In 1973 single united the War Veterans Organization was formed by organizing diverse veteran associations to be able to achieve its objectives of to support each other and to support national defense matters effectively. In 1975, first Central leading Committee meeting approved the charter of the Union of Socialist Republic of Myanmar Veterans Organization. In 1986 First Conference of Myanmar War Veterans Organization endorsed the Charter. To be in line with the changing situation, in 1989, the Government (State Law and Order Restoration Council) endorsed the provision law of the Myanmar War Veterans Organization1989.
3. In 2010, Myanmar War Veterans Organization was composed of Central Organizing Committee, Headquarter, 21 Region/State War Veterans Supervisory Groups, 15 Organizing Groups and 304 Township War Veterans Organizations. It carried out its duties and functions under the guidance of President’s office. The Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services was the Patron of the organization.
4. During its organizational advancement, the following Conferences were held;
(a) First Conference of Myanmar War Veterans Organization (from 30 to 31 of July 1986 at Seya San Hall in Kyaikkasan Grounds, Yangon)
(b) Second Conference of Myanmar War Veterans Organization (from 9 to 11 of April 1990 at Seya San Hall in Kyaikkasan Grounds, Yangon)
(c) Third Conference of Myanmar War Veterans Organization (from 1 to 5 of June 2001 at Defence Services Orthopaedic Hospital-500 Bedded, Yangon)
(d) Fourth Conference of Myanmar War Veterans Organization (from 26 to 30 of June 2005 at Myanmar Convention Centre in Mindama Road, Mayangonetownahip of Yangon)
(e) Fifth Conference of Myanmar War Veterans Organization (from 7 to 9 of October 2009 at the conference hall of Headquarters of Myanmar War Veterans Organization in DekhinaThiri Township Naypyidaw)
(f) Sixth Conference of Myanmar War Veterans Organization (from 11 to 13 of July 2011 at the conference hall of Headquarters of Myanmar War Veterans Organization in DekhinaThiri Township Naypyidaw)
(g) Seventh Conference of Myanmar War Veterans Organization (from 12 to 14 of October 2016 at the conference hall of Headquarters of Myanmar War Veterans Organization in DekhinaThiri Township Naypyidaw)
(h) Special Conference of Myanmar War Veterans Organization (from 29 to 31 October 2018 at the conference hall of Headquarters of Myanmar War Veterans Organization in DekhinaThiri Township Naypyidaw)
(i) Eight Conference of Myanmar War Veterans Organization (from 24 to 26 November 2021 at the Conference hall of Headquarters of Myanmar War Veterans Organization in Dekhina Thiri Township Naypyidaw.
Current Leadership
5. At the Eight Conference, a Central Patron Group was formed and members of Central Executive Committee were elected as follows;
(a) Central Patron Group
(1) Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services
(2) Deputy Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services
(3) Chief of General Staff (Army, Navy and Air)
(4) Commander-in-Chief (Navy)
(5) Commander-in-Chief (Air)
(6) Adjutant General
(7) Quartermaster General
(8) Lieutenant General(retired) AungHtwe
(9) Lieutenant General(retired) Ye Myint
(10) Lieutenant General (retired) Tin Aye
(b) Central Executive Committee
(1) Lieutenant General (retired) Sein Win President
(2) Lieutenant General (retired) Ye Aung Deputy president(1)
(3) Major General (retired) Ngwe Thein Deputy President(2)
(4) Major General(retired) San Myint Secretary General
(5) Brigadier General(retired) Myint Hein Joint Secretary(1)
(6) Brigadier General (retired) Kyaw Zan Myint Joint Secretary(2)
(7) Brigadier General (retired)Ye Naing Myo Treasurer General
(8) Brigadier General (retired) Ko Ko Win Inspector General
6. Myanmar War Veterans Organization is carrying out its duties and functions of veterans’ affairs. Current organization is composed of Central Executive Committee, Headquarters, 21 State/Region Supervisory Groups and 308 Township War Veterans Organizations.
Organization
7. The Objectives of Myanmar War Veterans Organizations;
(a) To take part in the cause of non-disintegration of the Union, Non-disintegration of National Solidarity , Perpetuation of National Sovereignty and to participate in the Social and Economic Development Activities.
(b) To take part as a reserve force of Armed Forces for national defence and security.
(c) To support each other in unity among the war veterans.
(d) To take part in nation building endeavors heartily.(19-6-2018)
8. The following basic Courses of Action are laid down in realizing the objectives;
(a) Implementing the objectives as per section 3, sub-section(a).
(b) Coordinating with respective Ministries in National Defence and Security matters, National Interest Enterprise and related matters of War Veterans Organization members.
(c) Assisting in welfare and social affairs of members.
(d) Striving for amicable relations, mutual support and unity among members.
(e) Implementing economic function of the Organization.
(f) Striving for maintaining noble tradition of Veterans, proliferation it and handing over to future generation.
(g) Striving for enhancement of intelligence and ability of members.
9. The following 7 Tasks are implementing to achieve the objectives;
(a) To co-ordinate with the concerned Ministries in matters related to National Defense and Security, National-Interest Enterprise and war veterans affairs.
(b) To provide welfare and social needs to the members of war veterans.
(c) To carry out measures to promote friendship, mutual assistance and solidarity among members.
(d) To manage the economic activities of Myanmar War veterans’ Organizations.
(e) To maintain good practices and traditions of war veterans to show good examples to the next generation.
(f) To carry out the education awareness and capacity building of the members of the war veterans.
(g) To help newly retired war veterans who are facing settlement difficulties.
10. In National Defence and Security Sector, organization is collectively taking actions as follows;
(a) Data collection.
(b) Organizing.
(c) Training.
(d) Supervision.
(e) Internal organizing.
(f) Public organizing.
(g) Practicing People’s Militia Strategy.
11. MWVO is rendering social welfare provision as follows;
(a) The provision for 75 years old members.
(b) The provision for families of deceased members.
(c) The provision for the disable members.
(d) Providing artificial limbs for the imputed members.
(e) Educational provision for auxiliary members.
(f) Scholarship for the auxiliary members from Military Educational Institutions.
(g) The provision for excellent students of families member of members.(3-7-2018)
12. Hand in hand with the people, Members of MWVO are actively participating in community works and state building endeavors. The followings are the some of the actions taken;
(a) Social activities.
(b) Religious activities.
(c) Educational promotion activities.
(d) Participating in National development projects.
(e) Activities of towns and villages’ clean and beautifying actions.
(f) Activities of towns and villages’ green and lush actions.
(g) Active participation in rural area road network construction.
(h) Active participation in rural area water supply projects.
(i) Activities in community health movements.
(j) Activities in preserving national heritage.
Financial profile
13. As of Sep 2021, a total asset of MWVO is above 32 billion kyats. Some are investing in agriculture sector, livestock breeding sector, trade and industry sector. Profits gained are spent on the welfare of the members and ancillary members.
Membership profile
14. As of Sep 2021, MWVO has 91677 members and 161372 auxiliary members. The strength is going to increase as more and more veterans have convinced that MWVO is a unique one in assisting veterans and bolstering the National Security matters as reserve force.
Participation in ASEAN
15. In 2012, MWVO attended the 14th General Assembly of Veterans Confederation of ASEAN countries (VECONAC) and became the 9th member representing Myanmar. Since then MWVO attends the relevant meetings and participates in activities together with other members. MWVO hosted 15th General Assembly and 27th Executive Board Meeting in 2014. It also hosted 28th Executive Board Meeting in 2015.
16. From 2014 to 2016 MWVO undertook the Chairmanship of VECONAC in accordance with VECONAC’s constitution and by-laws. In 2016 MWVO handed over the Chairmanship to Ex-Soldiers Association of Brunei Darussalam at 16th General Assembly of VECONAC.
Kachin, Kayah, Kayin, Chin, Mon, Rakhine and Shan (East/Centre east/North/ South) States supervising Groups, Naypyidaw, Yangon(City Limit/Out of City Limit), Mandalay(City Limit/Out of City Limit), Bago East/West), Magwe, Saging, Tanintharyi and Ayeyarwady Regions Supervising Groups.
Republic of the Union of Myanmar Constitution founded 330 Townships, MWVO organizing 308 Townships.
a. Non – disintegration of the Union, Non-disintegration of National Solidarity, Perpetuation of National Sovereignty and to participate in the social and economic development activities.
b. To take part as a reserved force of Armed Forces for national defence and security.
c. Helping each other in unity among the war veterans.
d. To take part in nation building endeavors whole-heartedly.
- To coordinate and carry out tasks related to National Defence and Security, Nation-Buildings , and war veterans with the concerned Ministries.
- To provide welfare and social needs to the members of war veterans.
- To carry out measures to promote friendship, mutual assistance and solidarity among members.
- To engage economic activities of Myanmar War Veterans Organizations.
- To maintain the good practices and traditions of war veterans to set and disseminate good example to the next generation.
- To carry out awareness raising and the capacity building of the members of the war veterans.
- To help the newly retired war veterans who are facing difficulties.