military personnel 結果共17筆

Taiwan’s military vows to increase counselors amid rising suicides among personnel, with 16 cases reported in 2023 and 14 fatalities.

Taiwan’s Minister of National Defense, Chiu Kuo-cheng, addresses management issues in the Matsu region’s mental health center during a Foreign and National Defense Committee meeting. The non-operational hotline and recent self-harm incidents among military personnel prompt a comprehensive review and system strengthening. Democratic Progressive Party Legislator Wang Ting-yu highlights concerns over non-working numbers and the need for more certified mental health support staff in the military. The Ministry of National Defense reports progress in certifying mental health support staff since 2018.

Amid a series of self-harm incidents in Taiwan’s military, Minister of National Defense Chiu Kuo-cheng emphasizes ongoing mental health support for personnel. Investigations into these cases consider various factors, including emotional well-being and job stress, without differentiating between incidents inside or outside military bases. Chiu stresses the importance of assessing individuals’ mental state and other contributing factors, while cautioning against hasty conclusions in ongoing investigations.

Taiwan’s Executive Yuan spokesman, Lin Tzu-lun, announced that the Consumer Price Index (CPI) rose by 2.71% in December 2023. Due to the CPI surpassing the legal threshold for two consecutive years, the government supports increasing stipends for retired military, civil, and education personnel by at least 4%. Fixed pension benefits for these individuals will be adjusted to account for inflation. The Executive Yuan has allocated NT$4.4 billion in the 2024 central government budget as a reserve fund for price fluctuations. The necessary adjustment mechanisms have been initiated, with a specialized assessment panel deliberating on the rate adjustment. The government aims to complete the related processes and backtrace the adjustments to January 1, 2024, to ensure the living standards of retired personnel.

The Taiwan Higher Education Union (THEU) has criticized the government for playing a false game with wage increases. While civil servants, including military and education personnel, are set to receive a 4 percent pay increase next year, over 21,000 technical and administrative staff at universities, about 70 percent, remain unsure of their raises. This uncertain group includes employees at private universities. The THEU believes that the government should not leave salaries of non-certified staff to the discretion of universities, as it causes division and lowers morale. Only around 9,000 public employees out of the approximately 31,000 full-time staff members at universities and colleges are certain about their pay rise next year. The THEU is concerned that the hardships of grassroots workers in tertiary education institutions are being overlooked amidst the upcoming presidential elections. They urge that national wage increases should apply to all university staff, with appropriate subsidies provided.

The Ministry of National Defense in Taiwan is preparing for the upcoming presidential and legislative elections on Jan. 13, 2024, by upgrading its security readiness for 40 hours. This will take place from 5 p.m. on Jan. 12 until 8 a.m. on Jan. 14. Around 5,000 military personnel may not be able to cast their votes, similar to the 2020 general elections. However, the number of naval and air force personnel, 24-hour on-call missile units, and air force operations management on standby is expected to exceed that of 2020. The ministry has ordered its forces to compile rosters for Election Day and implement rotation measures for combat readiness to ensure the voting rights of military personnel. Due to tense military situations caused by periodic crossings of the median line of the strait by People’s Liberation Army vessels and aircraft since August last year, there may be more naval and air force personnel on standby compared to the 2020 presidential election. Typically, soldiers stationed far from their registered residences vote in the morning and then return to their camps before noon to switch with standby soldiers who then go out to vote.

Kuomintang’s vice presidential candidate, Jaw Shaw-kong, proposes that AI should be considered Taiwan’s next ＂guardian mountain god＂ in a bid to position Taiwan as a leader in artificial intelligence. He advocates for the creation of an ＂AI Minister＂ position within various ministries, including the Ministry of National Defense and the Executive Yuan. Jaw questions the government’s plans for AI legislation and calls for a foundational AI law to address future challenges. He highlights the rapid advancements in AI technology and their ethical implications, praising the Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company for its contributions. Jaw emphasizes the importance of supporting academic research and corporate AI initiatives, arguing that integrating AI technologies could enhance military efficiency, a crucial consideration given Taiwan’s limited armed forces personnel.

The Ministry of National Defense (MND) announced that three drug-sniffing dogs have completed their service, one continuing under the Customs Administration’s evaluation and the other two retiring in October. The MND deployed 18 additional detection dogs across various regions in December 2022. Major General Chen Heng-wei stated that the detection squads conducted 467 assigned smell duties through educational recalls and base applications. Throughout the year, operational areas designated 211 smell duties, with 145 requests from military bases. The government mandates a service limit of four years for these canines, but dogs in good condition may serve up to seven years. The establishment of drug-sniffing dog units began in 2020 as part of efforts to deter military personnel from bringing drugs into the barracks, showcasing the ministry’s commitment to maintaining zero tolerance for drugs within military facilities.

The Ministry of National Defense in Taipei showcased its drug prevention program’s accomplishments, emphasizing the effectiveness of its narcotics detection dog teams. Since December last year, 18 additional dogs have been added to these teams, allowing regions across Taiwan to request their services for drug-sniffing operations within military camps. According to government regulations, these service dogs typically serve for four years, with the possibility of an extension to seven years. Since 2020, three narcotics-detection canines have completed their service term, with replacements already trained and deployed. The defense ministry conducted 467 drug-sniffing missions within military bases this year through mobilization, camp applications, and operational zone assignments. Additionally, over 1.13 million urine screenings have been conducted among military personnel, with positive results leading to prosecutions and the removal of implicated individuals from service.

President Tsai Ing-wen attended the inauguration ceremony for the National Defense Medical Center’s new Tactical Combat Casualty Care and Disaster Medical Assistance Training Building, highlighting the government’s commitment to improving military capabilities. The state-of-the-art facility integrates virtual and augmented reality technologies for realistic battlefield medical scenarios and has trained nearly 3,800 medical personnel this year. The building also aims to enhance medical skills and advance national defense education through collaborations with various institutions.

Taiwanese companies have raised fixed monthly salaries in an attempt to address labor shortages, but the annual salary increase rate has declined to 2.5% from last year’s 3.1%. Despite this, the average annual salary in Taiwan reached a new eight-year high at NT$694,000 in 2023. The semiconductor industry remains the highest-paying sector for the eighth consecutive year, surpassing NT$1 million in average salary. Following the semiconductor industry, the computer and consumer electronics manufacturing, electronic components manufacturing, telecommunications and communication services, and software and internet industries are the next highest-paying sectors. In terms of engineering roles, IC design engineers earn the highest yearly earnings, while auditors, computer systems analysts, and network security analysts lead non-engineering jobs. Year-end bonuses in 2023 decreased to an average of 1.08 months’ worth of salary, the lowest in a decade. Financial institutions are expected to provide the highest average year-end bonuses, followed by the semiconductor and construction industries. Looking ahead to 2024, civil servants, educators, and military personnel will receive a 4% pay increase, while private companies anticipate an average increase of 3.2% in salaries, with the accommodation and food services industry having the highest proportion of enterprises raising pay.

The Navy’s 2023 National Defense Intellectual Tour began at Xinbin Camp in Gushan District, Kaohsiung City. Visitors had the opportunity to view naval ships, including the Yushan class, the ROCS Ta Chiang, and the Min Jiang-class minelayer, showcasing Taiwan’s maritime defense capabilities. The event featured a captivating performance by the R.O.C. Naval Academy Band and the 256th Battle Division Drum Team, receiving enthusiastic applause from the crowd. Attendees also had the chance to take photos with naval personnel. The annual tour aims to increase public understanding of the nation’s military capabilities and foster national pride and community support for the military.

Taiwan’s Minister of Defense, Chiu Kuo-cheng, has taken action in response to reports of leaked military equipment from Taiwan’s Marine Corps. He held high-ranking military officers accountable and emphasized that lower-ranking personnel should not bear the brunt of the fallout. Chiu was summoned to report to the Legislative Yuan’s Foreign and National Defense Committee, where he admitted problems within troop management but also pointed out that blame should not solely rest on lower-ranking officers. The Ministry of National Defense has traced the problems to the brigade and command levels, indicating a weakness in senior management. Chiu stressed that senior officials should accept responsibility for training and not pass off their problems to subordinates. Commanding officers are also being held accountable in these cases.

Taiwan’s Ministry of National Defense (MND) plans to increase the monthly food allowance for Republic of China Armed Forces personnel. The goal is to set a minimum of NT＄3,388 by 2025, with higher allowances for those serving in high-cost regions like Nansha Taiping Island. The adjustment will require an additional NT＄1.3 billion annually and will take effect in 2025.

Taiwan’s Ministry of National Defense (MND) has revived the ROTC program to enhance its military capabilities amid growing cross-strait tensions. Students receive full government subsidies, with five years of army service upon graduation. This development aims to address the pressing need for more military personnel.

The Ministry of National Defense in Taiwan has announced a decrease in the planned 2024 voluntary service ＂personnel quota＂ by 5,187 from the previous year.

In Taiwan, recruitment issues have been plaguing the military for some time now, and the recent incursions of Chinese aircraft into Taiwan’s air defense identification zone (ADIZ) have only underscored the urgent need for more personnel, especially pilots.