TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — The Ministry of National Defense announced changes to the military reservist training system on Monday, standardizing the program into a single 14-day session instead of splitting training into two one-week periods.
The changes were outlined in a report submitted to the legislature's Foreign Affairs and National Defense Committee ahead of Defense Minister Wellington Koo's (顧立雄) scheduled appearance later this week. Koo is expected to face questions on reservist training, conscription policies, and support measures for women's military training, per CNA.
The ministry said that under Article 27 of the Military Service Act Enforcement Act, reservist training is generally limited to four sessions within eight years of discharge, with each session not exceeding 20 days. However, the ministry retains the authority to adjust the duration, frequency, and training period based on military requirements.
In 2021, the ministry extended the training eligibility period for officers and noncommissioned officers to 12 years after discharge, while maintaining the eight-year limit for enlisted personnel. Reservists who remain within the designated training period and have not completed four training sessions are included in annual training programs.
Reservists who have exceeded their designated training period are no longer required to attend peacetime training but remain subject to wartime mobilization and must report for duty if called up.
The ministry said the 14-day reservist training program was first introduced on a trial basis in 2022 and operated alongside the existing five- to seven-day training system. During the transition period, participation in a 14-day session was counted as the equivalent of two training sessions and was accompanied by additional incentives.
The change in reserve training includes an updated curriculum that places greater emphasis on modern battlefield conditions and branch-specific combat skills. This includes rapid-response rifle marksmanship, machine-gun operations, mortar firing, and exercises tailored to existing unit structures and weapons systems, per CNA.
The ministry also reported that its policy of returning reservists to original posts, implemented this year, has achieved a 93% personnel matching rate. Officials said the approach allows reservists to train in fixed groups and maintain proficiency in their assigned roles, enabling units to restore combat readiness more rapidly during mobilization.
Currently, only male veterans are required to participate in regular reservist training. Women veterans may join reservist training programs on a voluntary basis.
