Until the end of November, a little more than 30 percent of target voluntary enlistments for last year were met, according to the Ministry of National Defense’s report submitted before the Legislative Yuan on Dec. 11. The ministry remarked on Dec. 23 that the decision to continue or terminate the implementation of an all-volunteer military model for Taiwan is a “highly political issue” and should be decided by the senior authorities in government. The following day, members of the Control Yuan voiced their concern that enlisting a sufficient number of recruits is a grave issue affecting national survival that requires strategic formulation and oversight.
According to the Republic of China Constitution, it is the responsibility of the president to safeguard national security and ensure peace. However, based on current sluggish figures, President Ma Ying-jeou’s (馬英九) 2008 campaign platform to repeal conscription to implement an all-volunteer force by this year – revised to 2017 – is proving structurally not viable to implement. The opposition Democratic Progressive Party which used to oppose conscription, has now abandoned that position. Most Taiwanese men, rather than viewing it as an honorable duty, see military service as an obstacle to establishing themselves in society. The failure to assume responsibility in security policy threatens national defense and to reduce Taiwan’s confidence in pursuing more meaningful dialogue and exchanges across the Taiwan Strait.
When executed competently, an all-volunteer force can advance the level of professionalism and modernization in the armed forces. Economically, it would reduce unnecessary public expenditure in human resources and add to a nation’s competitive advantage. When compulsory military service no longer disrupts adolescents’ career planning, it enhances a society’s human capital, nurturing innovation and economic growth. Furthermore, the profession of military service would also achieve greater equity in compensation in the labor market with more attractive pay incentives. In rebuilding a culture of discipline and trust, the military can increase its retention rate and garner greater respect and recognition.
Yet, the vast majority of political observers and military experts are pessimistic about the government-planned transition and the long-term outlook of enlisting sufficient volunteers. The transition to an all-volunteer force should reflect objective circumstances and be executed in a way that is both financially feasible and adaptive. The process should be guided with objective of defending national sovereignty and homeland security.
Regardless of improved cross-strait ties, Beijing has not ceased its campaign of aggressive military buildup for the past six decades. Taiwan’s young men have long taken an apathetic view of military service because they see it as an interference to their lives.
In addition, public frustration over the death of conscript army corporal Hung Chung-chiu (洪仲丘) in July last year serves as an alarming indication of the necessity to combat elitism and corruption in the military establishment. The current reduction in the service term to four months of basic training for male citizens born after 1994 also presents a serious impediment to combat readiness in the event of invasion.
Finally, the high costs associated with creating incentives to attract voluntary recruits can only be reconciled by a drastic reduction in force size. These challenges must be met decisively and responsibly in order to maintain the soundness of the armed forces. The government should work to gain public consensus on the next phase of defense development. The wages and benefits offered to entry-level volunteers, for example, should take into consideration risks, discomfort, and distance from family, however, it could involve heavier taxation.
There should be a genuine public debate over the government’s future percent-of-GDP defense spending, the right size of the military and the necessity of renewing conscription in the event that enlisted recruits dwindle below a certain threshold.
Moreover, objective scholars and experts could be consulted to devise a more comprehensive program of military training to ensure readiness in emergency situations, such as extending the duration of training to a six month period that could be completed over multiple periods.
Finally, there should be a fair and honest evaluation of whether a longer period of transition is necessary or whether we should return to the previous combination of voluntary enlistment and conscription systems.
If Taiwanese people remain committed to the security of their homeland and way of life, then people must think beyond self-concern to stabilize the long-term foundation and direction of our national defense. The nation’s future lies in our hands.
Alfred Tsai attends Columbia University, where he is studying economics and political science.
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