Can facial burn scars exempt one from military service?

Based on Appendix 1 Classification of Health According to Physical Condition and Disease (Issued together with Joint Circular 16/2016/TTLT-BYT-BQP), the regulations are as follows:

Burn scars and other types of scars from various causes: Small, healed, affecting aesthetics (on the face, neck):

- Few: Score 3- Many: Score 4

According to the provisions of Clause 4, Article 9 of Joint Circular 16/2016/TTLT-BYT-BQP, the classification of health for citizens participating in military health examination is based on the score for 8 criteria recorded in the military service health form. Specifically:

- Category 1: All 8 criteria achieve score 1;- Category 2: At least 1 criterion scores 2;- Category 3: At least 1 criterion scores 3;- Category 4: At least 1 criterion scores 4;- Category 5: At least 1 criterion scores 5;- Category 6: At least 1 criterion scores 6.

Thus, individuals with burn scars on their face (small, healed, affecting aesthetics) will have health classified as Category 3 to Category 4 depending on whether they have few or many scars.

Clause 3, Article 4, Point a of Circular 148/2018/TT-BQP specifies health standards for military recruitment as follows:

Select citizens with health classified as Category 1, 2, 3 according to the regulations of Joint Circular 16/2016/TTLT-BYT-BQP dated June 30, 2016 by the Minister of Health and the Minister of National Defense, which regulates the health examination for military service.

Thus, based on the above regulations, individuals with burn scars on the face, if classified with health Category 3, are still eligible for military service. However, those with health classified as Category 4 are not eligible to participate.

Respectfully!