Responses to Information Requests

Research Directorate, Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada

1. Overview

The website of the Jordan Armed Forces notes that the Jordanian military has three branches, land, air, and navy (Jordan n.d.a). The US CIA World Factbook states that the Jordanian Armed Forces consist of the Royal Jordanian Army, the Royal Jordanian Air Force, and the Royal Jordanian Coast Guard (US 2023-10-06). The same source indicates that the armed forces provide support for "internal security" and report "administratively" to the Minister of Defence, a role assumed by the Prime Minister as there is "no separate" ministry of defence (US 2023-10-06). According to a Jordanian Government website, Bisher Al-Khasawneh is the current Prime Minister and Minister of Defence of Jordan (Jordan n.d.b).

The US CIA World Factbook reports that there are "approximately" 100,000 active-duty armed forces personnel, including 85,000 soldiers in the Royal Army, 14,000 in the Air Force, and 500 to 1,000 in the Coast Guard, as well as "approximately" 15,000 members of the Gendarmerie Forces (US 2023-10-06).

The US Department of State's Country Reports on Human Rights Practices for 2022 states that in September 2021, the Jordanian Armed Forces launched an initiative to "increase women's participation, including recruitment, retention, and advancement in leadership positions" (US 2023-03-20, 51). The same source notes that under this strategy, the armed forces admitted "more female pilots into the air academy" and deployed "more women in UN peacekeeping missions" (US 2023-03-20, 51).

2. Legislation
2.1 Constitution of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan

Article 32 of the Constitution of Jordan provides that [translation] "The King is Commander-in-Chief of the land, sea and air forces" (Jordan 1952).

2.2 Temporary Jordanian Armed Forces Law of 2007

The law provides the following:

Article (3)

1. The Armed Forces include all land, maritime and air formations and any forces supported by or affiliated with them, directorates, central units, institutes, military university colleges, reserve forces and any other forces necessary to be established.

Article (4)

The King is the Supreme Commander of the Jordanian Armed Forces, who has the authority to order the use of military force, declares a state of war and decides to stop or end it.

Article (5)

1. The Armed Forces shall assume the following duties:
   ...
   2. Defending the kingdom's security against any armed rebellion or internal aggression.
   3. Supporting the security services in maintaining internal security.
   4. Supporting governmental agencies in the face of emergencies and mitigate their effects.
2. The Armed Forces may be ordered by the Supreme Commander upon a recommendation of the Minister to:
   
   1. Participate in UN international forces and any other international forces.
   2. Assist the forces of another country at the request of its legitimate government.
   3. Help war or disaster victims in other countries.
   4. Assume any other duties.
3. The Armed Forces may carry out their duties through their various formations and units based on the nature of the duty and the nature of the formation or unit.

…

Article (9)

Duties and tasks in the Armed Forces are carried out on instructions or orders subject to the rule of chain of command.

…

Article (13)

Recruitment and civilian appointment in the Armed Forces shall be according to their needs of officers, enlisted and civil servants by selecting the best applicants in accordance with the principles and conditions set by the regulations issued to this end. (Jordan 2007)

3. Formations of the Jordanian Armed Forces
3.1 Ground Forces

According to the website of the Jordan Armed Forces, ground forces were established in 1920, forming the "first nucleus of the establishment" of the Arab Army (Jordan n.d.c). The same source indicates that the military units consist of four divisions, as well as "support corps" and "some" independent commands (n.d.b). The CIA World Factbook states that the Royal Jordanian Army includes Special Operations Forces, Border Guards, and the Royal Guard (US 2023-10-06). The US Library of Congress states the following about the land forces:

the army (or ground forces) is organized into four geographic commands: Northern, Southern, Eastern, and Central. The Northern Command consists of one infantry brigade, one artillery brigade, one air defense brigade, and two mechanized brigades. The Southern Command consists of one armored brigade and one infantry brigade. The Eastern Command is made up of one air defense brigade, one artillery brigade, and two mechanized brigades. The Central Command is composed of one air defense brigade, one light infantry brigade, one mechanized brigade, and one artillery brigade. The reserve component of the ground forces is made up of one armored division that includes three armored brigades, one air defense brigade, and one artillery brigade. (US 2006-09, 24)

3.2 Navy Forces

The website of the Jordan Armed Forces notes that the Royal Navy was established in 1951 in Aqaba and is the "complement to the national defense system" (n.d.a). The same source states that its initial members were selected from "public security (police)" (Jordan n.d.a).

3.3 Air Forces

According to the website of the Jordan Armed Forces, the "nucleus" of the Royal Air Force was formed in 1948 (n.d.d).

3.4 Ranks

The website of the Jordan Armed Forces presents the ranks of "non-commissioned officers and [p]ersonnel" and describes the insignia for each rank as follows:

• Lance Corporal - a single chevron on both upper arms;
• Corporal - two chevrons on both upper arms;
• Sergeant - three chevrons, on both upper arms;
• Staff Sergeant - three chevrons, topped by a Hashemite Crown, on both upper arms;
• Warrant Officer - one bar on both shoulders after the 'Arabs Army sign';
• Warrant Officer 1st Class - two parallel bars on both shoulders after the 'Arabs Army sign.' (Jordan n.d.e)

The same source indicates the ranks of officers and provides images or descriptions of their insignia:

• Candidate: "الجيش العربي" (The Arab Army) in stylized text below and a shape formed by two parallel and two shorter perpendicular bars above;
• 2nd Lieutenant: "الجيش العربي" (The Arab Army) in stylized text below and one star above;
• 1st Lieutenant: "الجيش العربي" (The Arab Army) in stylized text below and two stars in one row above;
• Captain: "الجيش العربي" (The Arab Army) in stylized text below and three stars in one row above;
• Major: "الجيش العربي" (The Arab Army) in stylized text below and a Crown above;
• Lieutenant Colonel: "الجيش العربي" (The Arab Army) in stylized text below and one star topped by a crown above;
• Colonel: "الجيش العربي" (The Arab Army) in stylized text below and two stars topped by a crown above;
• Brigadier: "الجيش العربي" (The Arab Army) in stylized text below and three stars in a triangle shape, one at top and two at base, topped by a crown above;
• Major General: "الجيش العربي" (The Arab Army) in stylized text below and two crossed swords topped by a star above;
• Lieutenant General: "الجيش العربي" (The Arab Army) in stylized text below and two crossed swords topped by a crown above;
• General: "الجيش العربي" (The Arab Army) in stylized text below and two crossed swords topped with a star and a crown above;
• Field Marshal: "الجيش العربي" (The Arab Army) in stylized text below and two crossed swords surrounded by a wreath of laurels and topped by the Hashemite crown above (Jordan n.d.f).

The Law on the Service of Personnel in the Armed Forces provides the following:

[translation]

Article 25

Chapter Six

…

1. The military ranks of military personnel shall be as follows:
   
   1. Candidate.
   2. First Class Warrant Officer.
   3. Warrant Officer.
   4. Staff Sergeant.
   5. Sergeant.
   6. Corporal.
   7. Lance Corporal.
   8. Private.
   9. Military cadet.
   10. Soldier-in-training.

…

Article 30

Chapter Eight

Promotion - Seniority

Promotion

1. A member of the personnel shall be promoted upon the recommendation of the appropriate commander according to the following conditions:
   
   1. [The individual must] be eligible for promotion by completing the prescribed courses for the higher rank.
   2. The existence of a salary vacancy at the armed forces and [the individual] must be the most senior in his force or service in relation to his rank and profession.
   3. He must have the qualifications as determined by the Director of Personnel Affairs in his profession if he is a tradesman.
   4. He must not have been sentenced to imprisonment for a period exceeding eighteen days or punished with a reduction in pay for a period exceeding thirty days during the last eighteen months of his service, and he must not have been sentenced to imprisonment for a period exceeding thirty days during the last three years of his service.
   5. He must spend at least the period specified for promotion as described below:
      
      1. Two years, from Private to Lance Corporal.
      2. Three years from Lance Corporal to Corporal.
      3. Four years from Corporal to Sergeant.
      4. Four years from Sergeant to Staff Sergeant.
      5. Four years from Staff Sergeant to Warrant Officer.
      6. Three years from Warrant Officer to First Class Warrant Officer.
      7. Five years in his rank, if all the conditions for promotion are met, except the availability of a vacancy.
2. Subject to the provisions of paragraph (A) of this Article, the following periods must pass for the promotion of a member of personnel who has been disciplined by demotion in rank.
   
   1. Six months from Lance Corporal to Private
   2. Six months from Corporal to Lance Corporal
   3. Six months from Sergeant to Corporal
   4. One year from Staff Sergeant to Sergeant
   5. Eighteen months from Warrant Officer to Staff Sergeant
   6. Two years from First Class Warrant Officer to Warrant Officer

...

Article 35

The transfer of a member of personnel from a force or service to another force or service does not affect his seniority.

...

Article 37

The seniority of individuals is considered according to their seniority, rank, and professions in the arms and services they follow.

…

Article 87

Chapter Fourteen

Termination of Service

The service of a member of personnel shall be considered terminated for any of the following reasons:

Resignation

Retirement

Lay-off

Dismissal

Being physically unfit

Loss of Jordanian citizenship

Death or martyrdom. (Jordan 1972)

Information on the roles and responsibilities of the Jordan Armed Forces ranks could not be found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate within the time constraints of this Response.

4. Military Service

According to the US Department of State's Reciprocity Schedule, at the age of 16, Jordanian males "must register with the Office of Moral Guidance" in person to obtain a military service book (US n.d.). The same source notes that the Jordanian armed forces are the issuing authority of the military service book and that certified copies are not available (US n.d.).

US CIA World Factbook provides the information in the following paragraph:

Seventeen-year-old men are allowed to volunteer for military service in Jordan. Women can also volunteer to serve in "noncombat military positions" in the Royal Jordanian Arab Army Women's Corps and Royal Jordanian Air Force. The "initial" service term is 24 months, with an option to "reenlist" for up to 18 years. "[C]onscription" was abolished in 1991; however, in 2020, Jordan announced the "reinstatement of compulsory" military service for "jobless" men aged between 25 and 29. In this program, men serve for 12 months, consisting of 3 months of "military training" and 9 months of "professional and technical training" (US 2023).

The country profile for Jordan on the Smartraveller website by the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) indicates that the government has stopped "compulsory" military service (Australia 2023-11-01). The same source notes that "all males aged 18 to 40, including dual nationals," are required to register for military service; however, they can "postpone" their service each year (Australia 2023-11-01). The Smartraveller website adds that authorities "may" stop "eligible" individuals from leaving Jordan if they do not register (Australia 2023-11-01).

4.1 Exceptions

According to US Reciprocity Schedule, men over the age of forty are exempted from military service (US n.d.). The same source notes that if a family has only one male child, that child is "exempt" from "mandatory" military service (US n.d.).

5. Recruitment in the Armed Forces

The information in the following paragraphs was listed on the website of the Jordan Armed Forces.

The Jordanian Armed Forces conduct recruitment in accordance with the "Law on the Service of Personnel." Individuals can visit the military recruitment center "voluntarily" and express their interest when the Armed Forces "announce the need for manpower" through various media channels. When selecting a recruit, the authorities consider the following:

• Height.
• Weight.
• The general appearance.
• The soundness of the limbs (including movement and balance while walking).
• The soundness of pronunciation (the sound of 'R' and 'S').
• Literacy (reading and dictation).
• The initial fitness check.

...

General conditions of recruitment

• To be a Jordanian national.
• He/she must have completed 18 years of age if he/she is a soldier or non-commissioned officer and to prove it with the certificate of his/her birth duly certified.
• To be not less than 160 cm tall for males and 155 cm for females if it is a non-commissioned officer or soldier; the director of personnel affairs is entitled to exceed this requirement in cases of necessity.
• To be fit to serve in the armed forces in terms of health, which enables him/her to carry out the duties required of them and endure their burdens according to the prescribed degree and this should be supported by the decision of the Military Medical Committee and under the regulation of military medical committees issued by the competent authorities.
• Be of good conduct and not sentenced to a felony or misdemeanor that violates honor such as theft, fraud, embezzlement, forgery, bribery, fidelity abuse and false testimony.
• To be non-affiliated with any political party.
• Not to have been dismissed from military service for any reason.
• To have the scientific qualification decided by the director of personnel affairs at the time.
• Not to be a member of the National Employment and Training Company.

Individuals are recruited into the Armed Forces from the following sources:

• Cadets of Mut'ah University /Military Wing
• University graduates (male and female) field officers (Royal Military College)
• Cadets of Princess Muna College of Nursing and Supporting Medical Professions
• Technical officers (doctors, engineers, pharmacists, nurses)
• Students of scholarships at internal or external universities

Those selected as officers must meet the following conditions:

• To be a Jordanian national.
• To be healthy and to pass the set medical examination.
• Be of good conduct and not sentenced to a felony or misdemeanor of honor such as theft, embezzlement, forgery, bribery, breach of trust or any crime that violates good conduct.
• To be at least 165 cm tall for males and (155) cm for females and height should match weight.

Recruits must go through the following selection and recruitment procedures:

• Applying
• Recruitment events
• Medical examination
• IQ test
• Fitness test
• Security Screening check and fingerprinting
• Interview
• English language test
• Recruitment according to the requirement and the highest scores in Tawjihi (High School Diploma) (Jordan n.d.g).

The Law on the Service of Personnel in the Armed Forces provides the following:

Article 28

Chapter Seven

Classification

Personnel shall be classified after joining the units and passing the tests prescribed for their profession as determined by the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. (Jordan 1972)

This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the Research Directorate within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim for refugee protection. Please find below the list of sources consulted in researching this Information Request.

References

Australia. 2023-11-01. Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT), Smartraveller. "Jordan." [Accessed 2023-11-07]

Jordan. 2007. Temporary Jordanian Armed Forces Law of 2007. [Accessed 2023-10-23]

Jordan. 1972 (Amended 2020). قانون خدمة الأفراد فى القوات المسلحة. Excerpts translated by the Translation Bureau, Public Services and Procurement Canada. [Accessed 2023-11-01]

Jordan. 1952 (amended 2022). دستور المملكة الأردنية الهاشمية. Excerpts translated by the Research Directorate. [Accessed 2023-10-18]

Jordan. N.d.a. Jordan Armed Forces – Arab Army. "Navy Forces." [Accessed 2023-10-23]

Jordan. N.d.b. "The Prime Ministry." [Accessed 2023-11-01]

Jordan. N.d.c. Jordan Armed Forces – Arab Army. "Ground Forces." [Accessed 2023-10-23]

Jordan. N.d.d. Jordan Armed Forces – Arab Army. "Air Forces." [Accessed 2023-10-23]

Jordan. N.d.e. Jordan Armed Forces – Arab Army. "Ranks of Non-Commissioned Officers and Personnel." [Accessed 2023-10-23]

Jordan. N.d.f. Jordan Armed Forces – Arab Army. "Ranks of Officers." [Accessed 2023-10-23]

Jordan. N.d.g. Jordan Armed Forces – Arab Army. "Affilation with the Armed Forces." [Accessed 2023-10-23]

United States (US). 2023-10-06. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA). "Jordan." The World Factbook. [Accessed 2023-10-16]

United States (US). 2023-03-20. "Jordan." Country Reports on Human Rights Practices for 2022. [Accessed 2023-10-16]

United States (US). 2023. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA). "Field Listing — Military Service Age and Obligation." The World Factbook. [Accessed 2023-11-07]

United States (US). 2006-09. Library of Congress, Federal Research Division. Country Profile: Jordan. [Accessed 2023-10-30]

United States (US). N.d. Department of State, Bureau of Consular Affairs. "Jordan Reciprocity Schedule." [Accessed 2023-11-02]

Additional Sources Consulted

Oral sources: Jordan-based economist and politician; Jordan University of Science and Technology; lawyer, human rights activist, and professor at Mutah University in Jordan; president of a Jordanian university; professor at the University of Jordan whose research focuses on conflict resolution and international negotiation; professor at Al al-Bayt University whose research focuses on international politics; Royal Jordanian National Defense College.

Internet sites, including: Al Jazeera; Amnesty International; Austrian Red Cross – ecoi.net; Ceasefire Centre for Civilian Rights; Council on Foreign Relations; Defense Security Cooperation University; EU – European Council; Factiva; Germany – Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit, Federal Foreign Office; International Institute for Strategic Studies; International Committee of the Red Cross; International Crisis Group; Janes; Jordan – Office of the Prime Minister; Landmine and Cluster Munition Monitor; Middle East Eye; NATO; Reuters; UN – Human Rights Council, International Organization for Migration, Refworld; US – Army Center of Military History, Congressional Research Service, Department of Defense, Embassy in Jordan, First Army; World Bank; Washington Institute for Near East Policy.