TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen inspected the newly implemented military conscription training program at Taichung's military center, Cheng Kung Ling, on Thursday (Nov. 23) in her role as the commander-in-chief of the armed forces.
The Ministry of National Defense (MND) announced that the first batch of mandatory one-year conscripts will commence their service on Jan. 25 next year. The initial training period for new recruits has been extended from five to eight weeks, emphasizing battlefield-like conditions.
The updated training includes battlefield medical aid and requires recruits to advance under simulated enemy fire, featuring the sounds of TNT explosions and machine-gun fire.
Conscripts of the reinstated one-year mandatory service will undergo a rigorous final evaluation over three days and two nights before completing their training. New elements of the program include shooting with night vision goggles and a 12-hour live grenade-throwing exercise.
During her visit, President Tsai observed the machine gun training, which has been extended from 47 to 100 hours for conscripts, and noted an increase in the number of rounds fired.
Following the eight-week basic training, new soldiers will be assigned to units based on their skills and interests. Next year, about 9,127 individuals are expected to be conscripted, averaging roughly 750 conscripts monthly.
Notably, the first group of conscripts can report for duty before the Lunar New Year and will have the opportunity to return home for the holidays, spending time with their families.
