TAIPEI (Taiwan News) -- Taiwan's Ministry of National Defense (MND) on Tuesday (April 9) announced that it is open to discussion on recruiting female ceremonial honor guards.
At a press conference on Tuesday, Major General and MND official Lou Wei-jie (樓偉傑) said that in order to spread education to all, the MND held the third annual National High School Honor Guard Competition that day. A total of 44 schools took part in the tournament and were divided into preliminary and final rounds.
Three rounds of preliminary competitions were first held in northern, central, and southern Taiwan, with the final to be held on July 6. Lou said that in order to lead young students in supporting national defense, the MND and the Ministry of Education have cosponsored the honor guard competition since 2016.
High school ceremonial honor guard team demonstrates skills. (CNA photo)
The competition not only enables students to show their youthful vigor and team spirit, but also establishes a sense of patriotism and honor, and enables the Army to "step out of the barracks and stand with the people," said Lou. This serves to effectively shorten the distance between the Army and the people, and enhance the effectiveness of the national defense for all, added Lou.
As the Army's honor guard currently consists of only men, MND spokesman Chen Chung-chi (陳中吉) announced that the military is open to recruiting female candidates.
Han I-ting (韓宜婷), a member of the ceremonial honor guard at the Hengchun High School of Industry and Commerce, said that she participates in the team for honor, as well as to demonstrate strength and beauty. Han says the training has enabled herself to understand the nation's military and enhanced her willingness to join the Army.
High school ceremonial honor guard team demonstrates skills. (CNA photo)
Han has already registered to enroll in the Marin Corps all-volunteer unit and hopes to fulfill her dream of becoming the first female honor guard to enlist the Marine Corps in the future.
High school ceremonial honor guard team demonstrates skills. (CNA photo)
