Cuba

摘要

President Raul Castro is commander in chief of the Revolutionary Armed Forces. Gen. Julio Casas Regueiro serves as Minister of the Revolutionary Armed Forces and is responsible for the day-to-day administration of the military, including direction of the Joint General Staff. Each of the three services has its own staff, but the Joint General Staff controls all three. The Fuerzas Armadas Revolucionarias experienced a major reduction in manpower during the 1990s from the previous highs of 200,000-235,000 to about 50,000, where it has remained since. In 2016, there were 49,000 total active members of the military. Cuba has universal conscription for males, while females serve on a voluntary basis. The term of service is two years, beginning at age 17. Males who are already enrolled in college serve 12 months. Of 2,998,201 males age 17-49, 2,446,131 are classified as fit for military service; of 2,919,107 females age 17-49, 2,375,590 are classified as fit for military service. An average of 72,823 males and 69,108 females reach military age annually.