Army announces details of ‘Brothers in Arms’ programme

AMMAN — Assistant Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff  for Operations and Training Brig. Gen. Abdullah Shdeifat on Tuesday announced the details of the “Brothers in Arms” programme launched by His Majesty King Abdullah on Veterans Day to support retired service personnel.

In a joint press briefing at the King Abdullah II Special Operations Training Centre (KASOTC), Shdeifat noted that the programme shall accelerate the process of obtaining military housing loans, help benefit from the banking services provided by the Military Credit Fund and the Benefits and Discounts Programme.

It will also target post-retirement career paths in various government departments as well as offer training orientation courses.

Shdeifat added that these initiatives benefit workers and retirees at the armed forces and security agencies, in a way that stimulates the national economy, despite the economic and health repercussions caused by the spread of the coronavirus pandemic.

Minister of State for Prime Ministry Affairs Ibrahim Jazi said that special areas were designated for retirees at the Civil Status and Passports Department, in addition to allocating posts in the 22 centres of the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Department.

Other career paths would be at the Income and Sales Tax Department Centre, the Department of Land and Surveys distributed in all governorates, in addition to the departures and arrivals building at Queen Alia International Airport, he added.

For his part, Brig. Gen. Ali Madani explained that the value of the support provided to the Military Housing Fund amounted to JD438 million, noting that  direct cash loans will be provided without interest to 27,000 beneficiaries including non-commissioned officers and individuals and 1,100 beneficiaries, including officers of the armed forces and the Public Security  Directorate in 2021.

Compared to the previous year, the increase in the percentage of loans reaches 400 per cent, he noted.

He also said that the first batch of housing will be available within a month for about 21,000 affiliates at a value of JD 317.5 million, while continuing to disburse loans on a monthly basis for a  total of 550 non-commissioned officers and individuals, and 40 officers from the armed forces and security services.

Pertaining to training programmes,  Brig. Gen. Kayed Dhaisat indicated that they shall target issues related to building a banking culture for retirees that enables them to manage their own projects and qualify them for vocational training.

General Director of the Military Credit Fund Amjad Hijazi said that the programme will provide loans supported by a ceiling of JD6,000 in the initial stage for purposes of personal finance and productive projects with returns and profits equal to what is granted to personnel in service, taking into account the level of income from salaries and the size of  monthly financial obligations.

It will also provide all other services from savings accounts and deposits and the service of paying salaries at nominal commissions according to Islamic banking principles.

In regard to discounts, Hijazi pointed that it includes the discounts currently available at the Military Consumer Corporation, in addition to the offers on cash installments for purchases and reward points for paying debit cards, credit cards or digital wallets.