Ukraine War Spurs Debate on Military Reforms 立委籲軍事訓練役期延長 徵兵制恢復為一年

The Ukraine conflict has generated discussion on military service reforms. The Kuomintang and Taiwan People's Party support increasing the compulsory service period from four months to one year.

The Ukrainian people have mounted a ferocious resistance to defend their homeland against Russia's invasion. It's obvious that Taiwan needs to be as self-reliant in light of the cross-strait situation. Taiwan's four-month compulsory military service system has been plagued with controversies since it took effect, and many believe that it's impossible for conscripts to become qualified soldiers. The New Power Party attacked the all-volunteer policy as wrong and listed three major issues. They include a shortage of troops resulting from the low birthrate, and the NPP said the solution is to extend the compulsory service period to one year.

Chiu Hsien-chih, Legislator (NPP): “Taiwan went from conscription to a volunteer system from Chen Shui-bian to Ma Ying-jeou to Tsai Ing-wen, and right now only four months of training is required. Is this the right direction to be heading? Is this taking accountability?”

Legislators said the idea that "serving in the military is wasting your life" needs to be overturned, and military training needs to be comprehensively reformed. The Kuomintang and Taiwan People's Party support increasing the compulsory service period, while the Democratic Progressive Party said the issue can be discussed but it should not be limited to national defense and should consider productivity.

Lo Chih-cheng, Legislator (DPP): “It should include Taiwan's entire manpower structure, employment market, etc. If we continue to make the conscription period longer and longer due to the impact of the low birthrate, then will the country's overall productivity be pushed aside? There are of course many aspects. We absolutely can discuss it.”

The national defense system has also been singled out for radical reforms. Lawmakers suggested creating channels for women to participate. They also said military intelligence, combat medics, disaster prevention, and combat strategies should be incorporated into the overall national defense plan along with frontline combat.

Claire Wang, Legislator (NPP): “There aren't only armed soldiers that show physical strength or fighting strength on the battlefield. Military intelligence, first aid, disaster prevention, combat strategies should all be incorporated into the overall national defense plan.”

Yeh Yu-lan, Legislator (KMT): “Each type of military unit needs a different type of talent. I don't think gender should be a consideration.”

Ukraine has called up its reservists, and is training them on weekends. Legislators say Taiwan can learn from this. They add that China won't only use military tactics on Taiwan, and developing defense awareness is only possible through daily and repeated courses.

面對俄羅斯大舉入侵，烏克蘭人民群起反抗，捍衛自身家園的精神示警國人。台海情勢險峻，同樣要自立自強，但我國4個月軍事訓練役制度，從上路以來爭議不斷，被質疑無法成為戰力，時代力量抨擊是錯誤的募兵政策，點出三大問題，少子化導致常備兵力兵源不足，要求延長軍事訓練役期，徵兵制度恢復成1年。

時代力量立委邱顯智表示：「從陳水扁到馬英九到蔡英文總統，台灣從徵兵制走向募兵制，變成現在只有4個月的軍事訓練，這是一個對的方向嗎？這是一個負責任的態度嗎？」

立委不諱言，必須打破「當兵是浪費生命」的刻板觀念，全面改革軍事訓練、教召內容，要求朝野黨團表態。對此，國民黨、民眾黨支持延長役期，民進黨則認為兵役制度可以廣泛討論，不該只限縮國防層面，應考量國家整體生產力。

民進黨立委羅致政表示：「包括整個台灣的人力結構、就業市場等等，如果說因為少子化的影響，又繼續採行所謂更大時間、更長時間徵兵的話，那會不會排擠到整個國家在生產力的部分，所以當然面向很廣，絕對是可以討論的議題。」

不只兵役制度檢討聲浪四起，國防體系也需要大刀闊斧改革，立委建議將女性納入多元參與管道，除了從軍在前線作戰，軍事知識、救護技術、防災訓練、作戰策略都需要納入國家的整體國防規劃。

時代力量立委王婉諭表示：「不是只有拿槍的步兵，然後在戰場上展現狹隘的體力上的，或是戰鬥力，包括說軍事的知識、救護的技術、防災的訓練、作戰的策略等等，都應該納入國家整體的國防規劃。」

國民黨立委葉毓蘭表示：「現在各種的軍種，需要各方面不同的人才，我覺得不分性別。」

烏克蘭實施後備軍人召集令，利用假日進行戰術訓練，立委認為值得作為借鏡。而中國對台作戰不是只有軍事手段，全民國防唯有透過日常、多次數的課程，才能建構人民的防衛意識。