On January 27, Turkmenistan celebrates Defender of the Fatherland Day, established by a special decree of the President of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov in 2009. The date of the holiday is timed to coincide with the founding of the country's Ministry of Defense and the creation of the armed forces of independent Turkmenistan in 1992.
Despite the fact that Turkmenistan is a neutral state, it has armed forces to ensure its own security and guarantee sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity.
Service in the armed forces of Turkmenistan is honorable and respected among citizens, and the state pays due attention to it. The annual celebration of Defender of the Fatherland Day in Turkmenistan is accompanied by traditional military parades, shows, competitions and sports competitions, in which military personnel of the armed forces and army sports clubs take part.
The ceremonial removal of the banner of part – is a sacred tradition preserved in the armed forces of Turkmenistan. On January 27, the President of the country invariably addresses congratulations to the rank and file and officers, who in his speech notes the merits of the defenders of the Fatherland, expresses gratitude and appreciation to them, emphasizing the importance of the sacred task that they perform.
Traditionally, the holiday is celebrated with festive concerts, meetings with veterans in military units, as well as the conferment of regular military ranks and awards.
The state power of the Republic strives to maintain the state of the armed forces and training of personnel at a high level, takes care of the training of officers, and the modernization of the material and technical base of the army, aviation and navy. One of the tasks remains the creation of decent conditions of service for defenders of the Fatherland, providing their families with housing, creating decent living conditions for military families, from living conditions to high-quality medical services, obtaining a good education for children, and helping to organize their leisure time. For the same purpose, the regulation of issues of social protection of military personnel was defined in the relevant Law of Turkmenistan, which was adopted in 2009.
As expected, some military personnel receive the opportunity on January 27 to celebrate their professional holiday with family and friends, while others meet him in the service while on duty and fulfilling their duty to defend the Motherland.