TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — The defense ministry provided updates on the implementation of its one-year conscription program at a press conference on Wednesday.

Colonel Cheng Chia-Chi (成家麒), director of the ministry’s human resources division, said the first batch of recruits reported for duty on Jan. 25, 2023, CNA reported. They underwent basic training and were discharged beginning last year.

Among the 6,956 conscripts in 2024, Cheng said 2,047 had already been discharged and placed in the reserve system. Meanwhile, 1,871 voluntarily joined frontline combat units, and 3,761 were assigned to garrison units, he said.

Additionally, 993 were transferred to voluntary military service.

The defense ministry estimates approximately 9,839 conscripts next year, Cheng said. Basic training will follow an eight-week, four-phase curriculum. Aside from rifle shooting and combat training, new training courses will be introduced for handguns, machine guns, drones, Stinger missiles, and anti-armor weapons, the human resources director said.

Garrison units will undergo annual base training lasting 13 weeks, according to Cheng. Four units, including the 137th Infantry Brigade's 1st Battalion, are scheduled for training verification starting September, he said.