As the debate over the length of mandatory military service continues, the government may be making an official policy announcement this year.
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The government is expected to announce that compulsory military service will be extended from four months to one year. Defense Minister Chiu Kuo-cheng (邱國正) stated publicly earlier this month that the government will likely make the announcement before the end of the year.
Recent polls have shown that a majority of Taiwanese people support extending the service period. In previous decades, Taiwan’s mandatory military service required nearly all men to serve for two years. This period was shortened over time, resulting in the current required service period of just four months.
In addition to public support, the move has also been applauded by other members of government and civil society groups. Current Minister of the Veterans Affairs Council and former Defense Minister Feng Shih-kuan (馮世寬) stated that four months is too short to train a combat ready soldier. Some experts have stated that the quality of training also needs improvement. They say that aspects of training, such as an emphasis on bayonetting drills, are outdated and do not reflect modern security concerns. Thus, some suggest that training should be more specialized in areas such as cybersecurity.