TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — The Ministry of National Defense announced Wednesday it is implementing management measures to stabilize manpower within the armed forces.
Four initiatives are being implemented. These include allowing leisure travel abroad, canceling leave reporting requirements, adjusting return-to-base schedules for volunteers, and restoring regular on-duty policies, per CNA.
A proposal has also been submitted to the Cabinet for salary and benefit adjustments, including volunteer service and combat unit allowance increases. Details will be announced after approval.
To boost recruitment, the ministry is considering easing some enlistment restrictions. Proposed changes include allowing tattooed individuals to apply for non-commissioned officer or officer programs, lowering the height requirement for volunteers, and relaxing re-enlistment rules for those previously discharged as unfit.
As of 2024, individuals with tattoos are ineligible to apply for non-commissioned officer or officer training programs, according to Tatung University.
Salary and benefit adjustment plans are under review, with a focus on raising allowances for personnel in non-combat units. The proposed changes aim to account for the difficulty of specialized and technical duties performed by these individuals.
The MND reported a year-on-year decline in volunteer soldiers last year. Nineteen main combat units were manned at less than 80% of their authorized strength, per UDN.
The highest recorded number of volunteer soldiers was 164,884 at the end of 2021. By June 2024, the number had dropped to 152,885, the lowest since the end of 2018.
Regarding the possibility of foreign nationals serving in the military, the ministry said current laws require those holding public office, including military personnel, to be Taiwanese nationals.
The ministry has allocated over NT$170.1 billion out of its annual budget of over NT$476 billion this year for military equipment and facilities. It covers acquisitions including new tanks, Harpoon missiles, and the MQ-9B SeaGuardian drones.