18 years of age for voluntary military service; the armed forces law of 31 December 2004 did not specify a minimum age for enlistment, but the government claimed that no one younger than 18 was being recruited; mandatory retirement age 45 (enlisted), 50 (NCOs), and 55 (officers) (2012)
Military Branches
National Defense Forces (Forces de Defense Nationale, FDN): Army (includes maritime wing, Air Wing), National Gendarmerie (2013)
Manpower available for military service
Males age 16-49: 2,182,327
Females age 16-49: 2,202,125 (2010 est.)
Manpower Fit for Military Service
Males age 16-49: 1,398,769
Females age 16-49: 1,481,417 (2010 est.)
Manpower Reaching Militarily Significant Age Annually