While the Ministry of National Defense (MND) is promoting a career military-service system, the Cabinet's Veterans Affairs Commission (VAC) is mooting stricter measures to qualify "veterans."
Currently, Taiwanese military personnel are divided into career servicemen and conscripted soldiers. Conscripted soldiers are dismissed after 16 months of military service.
According to VAC Minister Kao Hua-chu (高華柱), it was common practice up to now for career military personnel who have served for more than three years to qualify as veterans and enjoy a variety of benefits provided by the government. However, since Aug. 9, only military personnel who have served for at least 10 years are regarded as veterans.
"The whole idea is basically a mechanism related to the MND's plans to reform the military-service system and gradually replace conscripted soldiers with career and professionally-trained personnel," said Kao, a former three-star army general.
By law, a veteran does not have to pay for medical treatment, while the public have to pay certain premiums under the health insurance system when they see a doctor. The government is also responsible for arranging home services for veterans if they do not have family who can take care of them. Also, veterans do not have to pay tuition fees if they pursue studies at a university.
Veterans furthermore enjoy all kinds of discounts at movie theaters, when using public transportation or attend certain arts performances or presentations.
"We have to make some changes since there will be more and more career military personnel who may qualify as veterans. If we do not make these changes, veterans will become a serious burden on our financial and health-related government offices," Kao said.
According to the MND's statistics, a total of 3,000 career soldiers were "hired" while a total of 6,000 vacancies was available to the public last year.
However, it is the MND's goal to fill all vacancies with career military personnel in the future.
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