Santiago Matías Proposes Mandatory Military Service For Students

Santiago Matías has proposed a bill that would establish mandatory military service for Dominican students during the final two years of secondary school, presenting the initiative as a broader program for civic development rather than military training alone.

The proposal, promoted through the Dominicanos Primero movement, would combine discipline and civic education with vocational guidance, psychological support and assessments designed to identify students’ abilities. The stated goal is to help young people prepare for university and their eventual professional careers.

Proposal Would Combine Military And Civic Training

Matías has argued that the program should focus on developing discipline, values, character, a sense of belonging and civic responsibility. Under the proposal, students would receive guidance intended to help them better understand their academic and professional options before completing secondary education.

The initiative is therefore presented as a broader educational and civic program rather than solely as preparation for military service. Its proposed components include aptitude assessments, vocational orientation and psychological accompaniment alongside the military element.

Matías has called on citizens to support the initiative, arguing that a structured program could help young people develop greater discipline and a clearer sense of direction as they transition from secondary school to higher education and employment.

Article 75 Cited As Constitutional Basis

The proposal invokes Article 75 of the Dominican Constitution, which establishes fundamental duties of citizens. One of its provisions requires Dominicans to provide the civil and military services that the country requires for its defense and preservation, in accordance with the law.

The Constitutional Court has also described the provision as a constitutional duty, noting that Article 75.3 refers to providing civil and military services required by the nation for its defense and preservation. :contentReference[oaicite:0]{index=0}

However, the constitutional reference does not itself establish the specific secondary-school program proposed by Matías. Reports on the initiative indicate that its implementation would require legislation defining the program’s scope and operating conditions. :contentReference[oaicite:1]{index=1}

Proposal Would Need Legislative Development

The initiative remains a proposal rather than an existing nationwide requirement for secondary-school students. A law would be needed to establish the details of any mandatory program, including its duration, eligibility requirements, institutional responsibilities and implementation framework.

For now, the proposal places mandatory military service among the issues being presented for public and political discussion in the Dominican Republic. Its emphasis on education, vocational preparation and civic formation also broadens the debate beyond the traditional question of military training and toward how the country prepares young people for adulthood.