While defense spending has increased to record highs in recent years, there is a worrying trend of a declining number of volunteer soldiers, the Legislative Yuan’s Budget Center said in its most recent report.
This year’s number of enlisted personnel is the lowest since 2018, with category one combat troops about 20 percent understrength as of June.
About 11 separate military equipment purchases are coming to a close over the next few years, and the lack of personnel to operate that equipment is worrying, the report said.
The military is moving toward the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) into its operations and is looking to procure large numbers of drones. However, AI would be nowhere near capable of replacing human troops in the short term. Many drones used by the military also require drone pilots to operate.
Most category one troops needed at present would be those working with mortars, artillery and anti-air missile systems. These are defense roles that would be crucial during a conflict in the Taiwan Strait.
It is of paramount importance that the military find ways to improve enlistment numbers, which must be done urgently to ensure recruits have sufficient training and experience if a conflict breaks out.
To do this, the defense ministry needs to focus on three main areas of improvement: financial incentives for enrollment, military training reform, and promotion of military service as a respectable pursuit.
Monthly salaries for volunteer recruits vary according to a number of factors including education level, skill set and where the recruit is stationed, but a rough average is NT$43,000. That salary is slightly above the average for university graduates in Taiwan, but not nearly enough to lure young people away from prospective office jobs in the city.
Military service is even less appealing when training seems to be pointless, with recruits being required to perform menial tasks and outdated, scripted training exercises. Recruits must be given the opportunity to train in more meaningful ways such as with live rounds, anti-air missile systems, virtual and augmented reality tools and drone systems. Those with backgrounds in computer engineering could be provided additional training in cybersecurity, or tasked with developing secure systems for the military.
Offering financial incentives alongside attractive work and training opportunities could draw in young recruits. Examples could include paid tuition for those graduating with student loan debt, signing bonuses, assistance with vehicle purchases, and the option of living off-base in subsidized housing.
In Canada, recruits are eligible to receive paid tuition, a salary while studying, second-language training, and paid textbooks and school supplies. In the US, new recruits can receive signing bonuses of up to US$45,000 (NT$1.4 million), depending on education, skill set and their prospective role in the military.
Similar benefits could be made available to skilled recruits in Taiwan. The military could also attract married recruits with benefits such as free childcare and flexible schedules for mothers.
Another issue that could deter some from military service is the stigma surrounding a military career in Taiwanese society, where becoming a soldier is often seen as lowly work. An op-ed published by Asia Times on Dec. 2, 2022, says the prevailing sentiment could be summed up by the proverb “A good man does not become a soldier, and a good piece of metal does not hit a nail” (好男不當兵，好鐵不打釘).
In the US, military personnel are often portrayed as heroes and glorified in popular media. Military enlistment is advertised everywhere and presented as an opportunity for adventure, travel and useful training.
If it hopes to attract young recruits, Taiwan’s military must make sweeping reforms and launch an aggressive public relations campaign.
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