Taiwan’s MND sets strict criteria for military service bonus

TAIPEI (TVBS News) — The Ministry of National Defense (MND) on Tuesday (Jan. 16) emphasized that recruits who fail the new training assessment would not receive an additional allowance of NT$10,800.

As Taiwan extends mandatory military service to one year, the MND is set to welcome the first batch of recruits next Thursday (Jan. 25). The ministry has organized a briefing to provide insights into the current state of preparations and training. Training activities have increased, reinstating many courses from the past, including night shooting and other realistic military drills.

Army Chief of Staff Lieutenant General Chen Chien-yi indicated that recruits who fail the evaluation would be required to undergo an extra week of training. If they still do not meet the mark, they will not receive their professional certificates and bonuses; only their basic pay until discharge.

An estimated 9,127 draftees serving one-year terms will be trained in 2024 with the training period set at eight weeks.

The MND also disclosed plans to improve the national alarm system. Future alerts will be issued for any "aerial physical attacks," with messages reminding the public to take shelter immediately.

Additionally, the ministry decided to postpone the regular spring combat readiness drill, coinciding with local elections, to the end of January to prevent misunderstandings amid tension across the Taiwan Strait.