TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Defense Minister Wellington Koo (顧立雄) said Wednesday that conscripts who voluntarily serve in combat units may receive an additional monthly allowance as part of plans to boost incentives for military service.
Koo said the defense ministry is discussing the proposal with the Directorate-General of Personnel Administration, per CNA. He said the measure aims to encourage one-year conscripts to join combat units, develop specialized skills, and maintain those skills for future reserve mobilization.
The minister made the remarks during a legislative hearing on military personnel policies amid Taiwan’s declining birthrate. He said the number of one-year conscripts is expected to rise significantly next year as more university graduates enter service.
He said combat unit staffing levels are critical to military readiness, and conscripts willing to serve in such units could receive additional incentives, CNA reported. The policy could help attract personnel with specialized skills and retain those skills for future reserve mobilization.
Koo also said recent military training programs have included many conscripts, but they cannot become noncommissioned officers (NCOs) or junior officers without further qualifications, per Liberty Times. With shortages in those ranks, the military may resume reserve officer and reserve NCO examinations next year.
He said one-year conscripts receive comprehensive training and could help fill lower-level command positions through those programs. After discharge, they would continue receiving call-ups based on their specialties, allowing the military to maintain those skills within the reserve system.
