Military Service Identification booklet

Object/Artifact

-

Archive of Cuban Socialism

Name/Title

Military Service Identification booklet

Entry/Object ID

2025.1.4

Description

Cuban military service booklet issued by the Ministerio de las Fuerzas Armadas Revolucionarias in Havana on August 31, 1977. A small, soft-covered booklet with a deep red cover, sized for a pocket or wallet. The front cover carries text and imagery in a centered, hierarchical layout. From top to bottom: "REPÚBLICA DE CUBA" in small capitals; the Cuban national coat of arms (shield with royal palm, key, rising sun, and flanking branches, surmounted by the Phrygian liberty cap); the principal title "CERTIFICADO MILITAR" in large letter-spaced capitals; and at the bottom, in two centered lines, "MINISTERIO DE LAS FUERZAS / ARMADAS REVOLUCIONARIAS".

Collection

The Cabrera Arús family collection, José A. Cabrera Pérez collection

Acquisition

Accession

2025.1

Made/Created

Date made

7/31/1977

Time Period

1970s

Place

City

Havana

Country

Cuba

Region

Caribbean, Central America

Notes

Issued by the Ministerio de las Fuerzas Armadas Revolucionarias (MINFAR), Republic of Cuba

Inscription/Signature/Marks

Location

front cover

Transcription

- "REPÚBLICA DE CUBA" (top, small caps) - Cuban national coat of arms (centered, blind-stamped or printed) - "CERTIFICADO MILITAR" (center, large letter-spaced caps) - "MINISTERIO DE LAS FUERZAS / ARMADAS REVOLUCIONARIAS" (bottom, two lines)

Language

Spanish

Material

Paper

Condition

Overall Condition

Very Good

Relationships

Related Person or Organization

Person or Organization

José A. Cabrera Pérez

Notes

owner

Related Places

Place

City

Havana

Country

Cuba

Region

Caribbean, Central America

Notes

issuance

Related Events

Event

Ley 1129 of 1963

Related Publications

Publication

The life of others

Research Notes

Notes

The Certificado Militar is the personal military service booklet issued by the Ministerio de las Fuerzas Armadas Revolucionarias (MINFAR) to Cuban citizens to record their military status. Depending on the moment in the holder's service life, it documents some combination of: registration in the military rolls; assignment and unit; period of Servicio Militar Activo (SMA / active service); rank attained; licenciamiento (discharge from active service); and status as a reservista (reservist) afterward. It was historically required for various civilian procedures (employment, university registration, travel) as proof that the holder had met or was meeting military service obligations. Compulsory military service for Cuban males was instituted by Ley 1129 of 1963 (the Servicio Militar Obligatorio, SMO), then restructured over the following decades. Under this law, all male Cuban citizens were obligated to perform military service; on completion of active duty, the soldier received a certificate documenting their service and must register with the local military registry within fifteen days.

Created By

María A. Cabrera Arús

Create Date

August 20, 2025

Updated By

María A. Cabrera Arús

Update Date

June 18, 2026