Chiu: 82 Women Have Completed Reserve Training; Hopes to Include All Women in Future

Taipei, Jun. 24 (CNA) Minister of National Defense Chiu Kuo-cheng said on Tuesday that currently, only voluntary reserve training is conducted for women. From 2023 to 2025, 79 women completed this training. This year, 10 female reservists were approved to participate, and 3 have already completed it. He hopes to amend the law in the future to include all female reservists in mandatory reserve training.

The Legislative Yuan's Foreign and National Defense Committee invited Chiu to report on "Fairness of the Reserve Training System, Effectiveness of Practical Training for Reservists, and Supporting Measures for Female Training" and to answer questions.

DPP Legislator Lo Mei-ling questioned whether female volunteer soldiers are legally included in the reserve force after retirement, while female officers and non-commissioned officers (NCOs) are only included in the reserve force based on their personal willingness. She asked if reserve training is conducted for women and if it only began in 2023 for female reservists on a voluntary basis.

Chiu stated that the Ministry of National Defense (MND) currently only conducts voluntary reserve training for female reservists, unlike male reservists who are all included in the training.

Regarding the effectiveness of the voluntary reserve training for female reservists, Chiu frankly admitted, "It's not many." From 2023 to 2025, 79 individuals completed the training. This year, 10 female reservists were approved for voluntary reserve training, and 3 have completed it so far.

Lo Mei-ling inquired about future legislative amendments, specifically whether all female reservists will be included in reserve training. Chiu explained that women do not currently have compulsory military service, so women who served as volunteers are included in the reserve force. The current legislative amendment aims to allow the MND to conduct reserve training for retired female officers, NCOs, and soldiers who served as volunteers.

Chiu emphasized that women have performed very well in the military. With the current policy of "returning soldiers to their original positions" for reserve training, retired female service members can still contribute. Therefore, promoting voluntary reserve training for female officers, NCOs, and soldiers is being pursued, and he hopes for public support for this policy.

Lo Mei-ling mentioned that the MND had previously announced a legislative amendment in 2023, stipulating that all female officers and NCOs would be subject to reserve service and included in reserve management after retirement. However, based on the principle of legitimate expectations, women who joined the military before and after the amendment are still distinguished between voluntary inclusion and mandatory inclusion in the reserve force. She asked if the direction is towards this approach.

Chiu stated that this is an issue currently under review by the MND. The point in time at which female service members will be included in reserve management is being considered, and due to the principle of legitimate expectations raised by Lo Mei-ling, the MND will discuss it further with the Executive Yuan. (Edited by Hsieh Chia-chen) 0624