Border Guard Day is observed in Turkmenistan on August 11 every year, commemorating the establishment of the country’s Border Service in 1992. This date was chosen to mark the official formation of the Border Troops of Turkmenistan by the first President, Saparmurat Niyazov, following the collapse of the USSR. In 1997, these troops were transformed into the State Border Service of Turkmenistan, which is part of the Armed Forces. The main responsibilities of the Turkmen Border Service include safeguarding the state border, combating international terrorism, illegal migration, human trafficking, smuggling, and drug trafficking, as well as protecting oil and gas platforms in the Caspian Sea. Established by President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedow in 2009, Border Guard Day is a professional holiday where border guards receive congratulations from government officials and military command.