Reserve command defends expenses

"These activities had nothing to do with combat training. They were purely recreational."

Reserve command spokesman

In response to criticism from a lawmaker, the reserve command yesterday acknowledged that it has spent NT$4.35 million over the past year on holding entertainment activities for cadre members of newly established reserve brigades. However, a spokesman for the command defended the expense, saying that the activities were intended to prepare the cadre members for better teamwork in military operations.

The spokesman stressed that the entertainment activities have been found to contribute greatly to the successful recall of troops by the reserve brigades that were activated last year.

"The activities were held mainly for the purpose of making cadre members of the reserves brigades familiar with each other. The cadre members would thus have better team work in operations, such as the recalls of reserve troops," the spokesman said.

The command issued the statement in response to accusations by PFP lawmaker Pang Chien-kuo (龐建國) that it has misused NT$4.35 million over the past year by treating members of reserve brigades to trips to famous tourist spots around the island.

Pang, speaking at a press conference he called at the legislature, demanded that the reserve command stop holding these kinds of entertainment activities, since they have no connection with combat training.

"It is incredible that the reserve command conducts training in places like children's playgrounds, hotels and theme parks," Pang said.

"In each eight-hour tour arranged by the reserve command, the participants spent only three hours on serious matters such as briefings on tactical positions and combat missions. The rest of the time was spent on sightseeing and eating," Pang said.

"What is worse is participants in these entertainment activities brought their families with them. Participating cadre members were 1,099 in total, but the family members they brought with were as many as 1,530," Pang complained.

Responding to the criticism, the reserve command spokesman said Pang must have misunderstood the nature of the entertainment activities the command held.

"These activities had nothing to do with combat training. They were purely recreational. They were held for a reason," the spokesman said.

"It must be known that cadre members of the reserve brigades are all retired career officers or non-commissioned officers. They volunteer to serve as leaders of the reserve brigades during recalls of reserve troops for these brigades," he said.

"They have their jobs to do for the rest of the year. They need to get together prior to the recalls to better understand each other so as to have better teamwork at the recalls," he said.

"The reserve brigades, 21 in total, were activated only last year. Their cadre members are selected mainly from retired servicemen," the spokesman said.

"It is indeed necessary for these cadre members to become familiar with each other prior to the start of missions," the spokesman said.