Taiwan will send 84 soldiers to the United States next year for military training. Taiwan’s military made the announcement on Thursday, saying that the US and Taiwanese defense forces have a long history of working together.
The military mentioned the plan in response to media interest in a photo on Facebook showing a US army training program with a Taiwanese soldier taking part.
The training program is called the US Army Armor Basic Officer Leader Course, and the unnamed soldier is wearing a Taiwanese army camouflage uniform, with a Republic of China Army badge on his chest.
The Facebook post says that the students are preparing for future assignments as Armor Platoon Leaders. During the current phase of the course, students need to spend 20 days in the field, overcoming challenges that demonstrate their mental and physical agility.
In response to the post, Taiwan’s military said that it is sending 84 troops to the United States in 2022 for six to nine months of intensive training. In addition, it says that the US has already sent instructors to Taiwan to help run military exercises. Taiwanese military officials say the American instructors have also started building a specialized training ground in Hsinchu, which should be finished next year.