CNI News

April 23, 2026

The Commander-in-Chief of Defense Services, General Ye Win Oo, stated that military administration requires the "spirit of a good commander" and a "fatherly spirit" rooted in empathy, emphasizing the need for unity and fairness in leadership.

He made these remarks during a meeting with officers, soldiers, and their families at the Magway Cantonment on April 22, 2026.

General Ye Win Oo highlighted that administrative capability plays a vital role within the Tatmadaw. He noted that if administration is poor, both military and organizational capabilities will suffer. Therefore, among the "three capabilities," administrative prowess is critical, as weaknesses in this area can lead to a breakdown in internal unity.

"In administration, there must be empathy, guided by the spirit of a good commander and a fatherly spirit. Administration must be harmonious and fair. Weak administration leads to weak unity. Discipline, essentially, consists of encouragements and prohibitions. A good leader must possess a sense of accountability and responsibility; they must be able to forgive what should be forgiven, while taking legal action in matters where forgiveness is not an option," the Commander-in-Chief said.

General Ye Win Oo further explained that the Tatmadaw cannot operate outside its established disciplinary framework, and thus, a breach of discipline is considered a crime. While it is necessary to consistently maintain a disciplined and high-quality military, he cautioned that leaders must be careful to avoid extreme or excessive restrictiveness.

Furthermore, he remarked that the public and the Tatmadaw are inseparable and must work to remain united and affectionate. He stated that the military is responsible for national defense 24 hours a day and must actively promote the interests of the people.

General Ye Win Oo rose to the position of Commander-in-Chief from his previous role as Chief of Military Security Affairs (C-MSA).

The current President, U Min Aung Hlaing, officially transferred the duties of the Commander-in-Chief of Defense Services to him on March 30, 2026.