The first batch of 670 conscripts for Taiwan's extended one-year compulsory military service will enlist on January 25. The Defense Ministry announced on Tuesday that the preparations are already complete.
Army Command Headquarters Chief of Staff Chen Chien-yi (陳建義) says recruits will undergo eight weeks of enlistment training conducted in four stages. The training includes rifle shooting, simulated battlefield scenes, night shooting, and combat training. Recruits will take a test in the final week and those who fail will undergo additional training.
Starting this year, hand grenade training will also be included in basic training. Chen says that a step-by-step approach will be adopted to train recruits in live hand grenade throwing. Recruits will first learn basic postures and explosion principles. They will then handle simulated grenades. He says recruits will then be assessed to select those suitable for throwing live grenades.