Poor military fitness test results raise concern
ROC Central News Agency
2010/09/15 19:56:25
By Chou Yung-chieh and Y.L. Kao
Taipei, Sept. 15 (CNA) Abysmal results from a recent physical fitness test suggest Taiwan's armed forces may lack combat capability, ruling Kuomintang Legislator Justin Chou said at a press conference Wednesday.
More than one in four service members failed to complete the required number of sit-ups in two minutes, more than half couldn't meet the push-up requirement and about 60 percent were unable to pass the running test.
Voluntary soldiers were even worse than those enlisted for compulsory military service in the push-up category, Chou added. The pass rate for voluntary soldiers in the sit-up test was 72.3 percent, while only 42.1 percent passed the push-up test and 43.3 percent met the running requirement.
In comparison, among compulsory servicemen, the pass rate for the sit-up category was 69.7 percent, while 47.8 percent passed the push-up test and 39.3 passed the running test.
Huang Kun-tzung, the head of the Ministry of National Defense's Department of Military Training, attributed the results to strict passing requirements. Even among the country's combat troops, about 40 percent of soldiers failed, Huang said.
Chou said that by 2011, soldiers should at least be able to meet the passing requirements.
According to the requirements, male volunteer soldiers aged between 19-22 should complete 43 sit-ups in two minutes, while female volunteer soldiers in the age group have to complete 33 sit-ups.
In terms of push-ups, male volunteers in the age range have to complete 51 in two minutes, while females have to finish 36. Male volunteers are required to complete a 3,000 kilometer-run in 14 minutes and females are allowed to finish in 16 minutes, 50 seconds.
Requirements for conscripts are more relaxed, Chou said.
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