Bahrain Defense Force (BDF) Commander-in-Chief Field Marshal Shaikh Khalifa bin Ahmed Al Khalifa inspected a BDF unit Thursday and was briefed on the latest systems and advanced military equipment and preparations.

Shaikh Khalifa stressed BDF’s high-level military structure and the efficiency and capacity of its affiliates, Bahrain News Agency (BNA) reported.

The Commander-in-Chief said that BDF bears a great national role, in line with the vision of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa.

He affirmed Bahrain’s distinguished national military force, joint exercises, and expertise that enable it to face military challenges with determination.

Meanwhile, the General Command of Bahrain Defense Force (BDF) has invited civilians to volunteer to join the Reserve Force, as part of the first phase.

Relatives of the military and civilian staff and retirees of the BDF and the National Guard are eligible to register, the BDF General Command said in its statement.

In its statement on Saturday 17 September, the BDF General Command also asserted that contributing to defending the homeland and maintaining its security, stability and territorial integrity are a sacred national duty and an honor for citizens. The Reserve Force Law, promulgated by Decree-Law (5) of 1987 and the regulations and instructions issued pursuant thereto, regulate all rights and duties of the Reserve Force as an auxiliary force for BDF and guarantees the benefits and entitlements that result from that.

The General Command asserted that during the first stage, volunteering shall be limited to male citizens of the relatives of the affiliates of BDF and the National Guard, military, civilians and retirees. Meanwhile, in the second stage, an announcement will be made to open the door to volunteering for the rest of the social groups - males and females.