Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD)

MND CONTINUES PUSHING FOR VOLUNTARY MILITARY SERVICE SYSTEM

ROC Central News Agency

2005-03-29 19:44:25

    Taipei, March 29 (CNA) In efforts to promote a volunteer-based military, the Ministry of National Defense (MND) is planning to enlist a total of 6,561 volunteers this year, a MND official said Tuesday.

    Deputy Defense Minister Michael Tsai said that the 2005 enlistment program will be completed in four phrases and that more than 3,000 have already volunteered.

    Tsai made the remarks at the MND recruitment center, where the ministry carried out a publicity drive for the system. Some lawmakers wearing military uniform and camouflage helped tout the military's efforts to gradually replace conscripts with a volunteer force.

    Until this year, no recruiting drive has been launched and no tests have been held to screen applicants for military service.

    Under the new recruiting system, an average monthly wage of NT$27,750 will be paid to each volunteer, Tsai said, adding that besides the salary, there is other compensation that is expected to boost the monthly earnings to over NT$30,000.

    A wide range of vocational training courses are also available to assist soldiers to apply for professional certification during their military service term, the official said.

(By Elizabeth Hsu)

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