TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Taiwan's Executive Yuan (行政院) announced on Thursday (Feb. 6) plans to enhance the military capabilities of new recruits starting this year. The recruits will undergo an 8-week training program that includes live-fire exercises with pistols and machine guns, as well as courses on operating drones, anti-tank rockets, and man-portable Stinger missiles.
The Executive Yuan's report to the Legislative Yuan (立法院) for the third session of this year revealed that 6,956 recruits were enlisted in the first year. These recruits completed training with field uniforms and 14 other clothing items, as well as 27 general equipment items like chemical protective masks. By the end of last year, 5,996 recruits had completed 23 rounds of training.
After evaluating last year's outcomes, the Executive Yuan reiterated plans to enhance the training program for one-year recruits. The army explained that last year's training comprised four phases. The first phase focused on instilling core military values, basic physical fitness, and combat skills to enhance recruits' law-abiding and patriotic awareness while building muscle and endurance for realistic training.
The second phase emphasized rifle shooting, pistol and machine gun mechanical training, and basic combat coaching. The third phase involved advanced rifle shooting and combined combat coaching, using simulated battlefield scenarios to boost weapon confidence. The final phase consisted of a five-day final assessment.
