In Taiwan, young soldiers calling themselves “cannon fodder” is a deep-seated problem that the government cannot ignore crisis of confidenceDespite the government extending the duration of compulsory military service from four months to one year starting in 2024, a year after the reform, the Ministry of Defense has admitted that military service is lagging behind. Meanwhile, soldiers are increasingly discontented with the current system. Taiwan needs to seek a better and more efficient system based on the current ROTC program, drawing inspiration from the US Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) and Switzerland’s compulsory military service systems.
Disruptions in Military Reform and Personnel Shortage
A year after implementing military reform, Taiwan’s military has faced several setbacks in putting its plan into effect. According to a Washington Post report, Defense Minister Wellington Koo said equipment and trainer shortages acknowledged that it had delayed plans to improve training for reservists. By 2024, only 6% of soldiers eligible for one year of military service had chosen to enlist, with many choosing to defer service to attend university. With one year of recruitment low, training for this cohort in key military skills, such as drones, surface-to-air Stinger missiles, and anti-tank rocket training, has been delayed.
These disappointing results suggest that without properly addressing systemic flaws in the military and the military system in general, reform efforts are likely to fail. The military reform has made it clear that systemic problems have a negative impact on the military service system. Taiwan’s military personnel have experienced a significant decline in personnel, falling from 2022 in 165.000 to 2024 in 153.000. This is one of the main reasons for the decline in military training. insufficient staff and lack of trainers The military’s personnel and instructor shortages could be addressed either by hiring veterans as instructors or by creating a way for veterans in the final stages of their military service to teach basic training skills to new service members.
Psychological Health Problems and Lack of Confidence
The alarmingly high suicide rate in Taiwan’s military has seriously shaken public trust in the military. According to a special report by the Reporter, from 2016 to 2024 134 military personnel died by suicideThe report said overwhelming workloads and understaffing have had a huge psychological impact on soldiers. Legislator Wu Szu-Yao noted that the ratio of “full-time psychological counselors with professional certifications” to all personnel is 1:2318. This raises a critical question: If soldiers cannot wage psychological warfare, how can they fight an external enemy? Therefore, to build trust and resilience, Taiwan should seek inspiration from its democratic partners for a more effective military system.
The U.S. ROTC Model and Potential Application for Taiwan
The Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) in the US and compulsory military service in Switzerland provide excellent models for Taiwan to draw inspiration from. Taiwan already has an ROTC program promoted by the Ministry of National Defense (MND), but its scope is quite limited compared to the US model. According to TVBS, the MND has signed agreements with 18 training centers and 26 schools targeting recruits between the ages of 11 and 129. The program requires participants to commit to serving in the military for five years after graduation in exchange for three years of financial aid and a scholarship during their training. Under the current ROTC program, students can attend civilian universities and attend regular classes while also receiving military training, such as weekly military courses and military training during winter and summer vacations. Graduates from the program are granted the rank of second lieutenant and receive special military training after graduation.
Taiwan’s MND should leverage this program by expanding it and making it more flexible. For example, conscripts could be given the option to choose whether or not they want to remain in the force after graduating from college. For those who wish to enlist in the military, the MND could continue to provide scholarships and financial aid for their education, while those who do not wish to enlist in the military after graduation would be limited to the regular scholarship paid during military service.
Some may criticize the lack of military discipline that the ROTC program would impose on recruits. One solution to this problem is a five-week camp similar to the one regular soldiers attend. a boot camp After graduating from basic training, soldiers can attend college while enrolled in ROTC.
Flexible Military Service Paths and Strengthening Reserve Forces
Taiwan offers an alternative to one year of military service for those who want to study at both domestic and overseas universities. Two paths for Taiwanese male students This reform will be crucial to reduce the personal, academic and professional burden that one year of military service will create on those who join the military service and to accommodate those who have academic goals at home and abroad.
For the first path, Taiwan could adopt the current U.S.-based ROTC model to replace the one-year military service. Students would attend academic classes, regular physical training, summer camps, and field training exercises, as well as weekly lectures on ethics, tactics, leadership, and military science. After graduation, students may commit to serving in the military for a certain period of time or joining the reserves.
Meanwhile, students who choose to continue their education abroad can participate in online military training programs that mirror the local ROTC route. a digital curriculum In order to complete their online learning and maintain physical conditions, intensive compulsory training sessions will be required during academic breaks. After graduation, these students may potentially choose to join active duty service or join a reserve program.
It is equally important to strengthen the training of the reserve forces. Similar to Taiwan, the Swiss army is mostly made up of conscripts, with men joining the reserves immediately after military service, but the Swiss reserve forces are regularly periodic retraining courses Taiwan's military personnel are currently supported by a large reserve force of 1,66 million, who can benefit from periodic retraining courses similar to the Swiss model.
According to Article 58 of the Swiss Constitution, every citizen must undertake public duties to serve their society. The duty to serve is deeply ingrained in Switzerland and is an important part of its society. In contrast, Taiwanese society lacks consensus on the effectiveness of the military system and lacks confidence in the military. Making compulsory military service more flexible would improve public perception of the military.
Approach to the Future: Military Service as an Opportunity
Combining the US and Swiss models could provide long-term benefits for young Taiwanese men in terms of their personal, academic and professional development, as it allows them to balance their personal goals with their duty to their country. Taiwan has a long way to go to effectively reshape its military system. This comprehensive reform should allay the concerns of conscripts and improve the structure of conscription, drawing inspiration from the US and Switzerland. To ensure that young citizens are willing and ready to serve, Taiwan is developing conscripts sees it as an opportunity A smart military service system is not just about defense, but also about strengthening Taiwan's future.
