President Ma Ying-jeou has praised the military’s success both in increasing its overall level of preparedness and in attracting new recruits.
Ma was speaking at a promotion ceremony for military officers on Friday. He said that he has asked the defense ministry to archive the military’s accomplishments over the past six years to showcase the advanced capabilities of Taiwan’s armed forces.
He also praised the military’s progress in attracting new recruits and retaining seasoned veterans as part of its transition to an all-volunteer force. He said that 59% of experienced soldiers have expressed willingness to remain on base even after they become eligible for honorable discharge.
Among the officers promoted at the ceremony, one, Col. Chen Yu-lin, became the seventh woman in the history of Taiwan’s armed forces to achieve the rank of major general. She has the distinction of being the only woman promoted to the rank of major general while in the field rather than in an office.
Ma said that women now make up 10.51% of Taiwan’s armed forces. He said he hopes to see more female generals in the future.