Azerbaijan has mandatory military service in the Azerbaijani Armed Forces for all able-bodied male civilians. Conscription is at the age of 18. According to Article 76.2 of the Constitution of Azerbaijan, if a citizen's conscience prevents them from serving, alternative service other than military service is not available. Women between the ages of 19 and 40 are also accepted into the armed forces on a voluntary basis.[1] There are four call-up periods per year. The length of military service is 18 months, the compulsory service period is reduced from 18 to 12 months for university graduates.
Military registration commissions consisting of the chairman of the commission (head of relevant executive authority) and commission members (medical specialists) are established every year. From January to March, male citizens who have reached the age of the 16 must be registered in the relevant military authority and undergo medical examinations. Citizens with a short-term health problem must send to medical institutions for treatment at the expense of the state budget.[2]
Pre-conscription training in Azerbaijan is held in educational institutions. Basic military knowledge is also taught to citizens in parallel with their school lessons.
The citizens who have reached the age of 17 can get training on military occupational specialty in educational institutions. The citizens who want to receive this training must leave their jobs, but they get a salary every month without working during the period of training. And at the end of the training they may return their workplace.
The following categories of citizens are not required to serve in the armed forces of Azerbaijan:
Temporary deferment can be given for the following reasons:
Military ranks are given to military personnel according to their military position, military education, military service duration, and some other features.
The following military ranks are defined:
| Military personnel and Military service | Military ranks | ||
| Land Force | Military Navy | ||
| Soldiers and Seamans | Private | Seaman Seaman 1st Class | |
| The sergeants | Corporal | Petty Officer 3rd Class Petty Officer 2nd Class Pettyofficer, 1st class | |
| Warrant officers | Master sergeant | Chief petty officer | |
| Lieutenants | Junior Lieutenant | Junior Lieutenant | |
| Senior Officers | Major | Captain 3rd Class Captain 2nd Class Captain 1st Class | |
| High Officers | Major General
Army General | Rear Admiral | |