President Ma Ying-jeou has praised the results of the military’s drive to recruit and retain volunteer soldiers.
Ma was speaking at a defense ministry banquet on Wednesday. He said the military exceeded its recruitment target by almost 50% last year, adding 15,024 new soldiers to its ranks. He also said retention rates have risen to an all-time high, hitting 61%.
The president said that recruiting and retaining combat troops is especially difficult, and called on the Cabinet to give combat troops additional rewards for their service.
He gave special praise to the growing proportion of women in Taiwan’s military. The military has recruited more than 16,000 female soldiers and officers since the government began allowing female volunteers to serve.
Women now account for nearly 10% of Taiwan’s military personnel. Ma said he is impressed with the quality of Taiwan’s female soldiers and officers, and said the military’s move towards greater gender equality is showing results.