TAIPEI (TVBS News) — The Ministry of National Defense announced their planned 2024 voluntary service "personnel quota" will decrease by 5,187 from 2023.
The ministry admitted to encountering difficulties in recruitment due to some key factors, coupled with the increased instances of voluntary applicants requesting early dismissal. These factors have made it challenging to maintain the original workforce.
In an interview with TVBS News, deputy researcher of the National Policy Foundation Chieh Chung warned that this decrease will put the country's military capabilities at a significant disadvantage.
Chieh highlighted that 99% of the reduced personnel are non-commissioned officers and soldiers at the grassroots level responsible for major tasks.
The defense ministry predicts more than 9,100 recruits in 2024. While the number may seem to offset the personnel gap, Chieh expresses concerns about the recruits' proficiency and fundamental combat abilities. He notes that experienced soldiers take around 18 to 24 months of training, while new recruits only receive a year.
In the next five years, the army must familiarize itself with at least 15 new equipment types - usually taking over a year. Both the training duration and continual service after completion are generally longer for voluntary soldiers, which may pose challenges if premature retirements continue.