Defense Minister: Conscripts serving in combat units may receive combat pay

(CNA) Defense Minister Chiu Kuo-cheng said today that discussions will be held with the Directorate-General of Personnel Administration to offer combat pay to conscripts who voluntarily serve in combat units, as an incentive. Additionally, to address the shortage of junior officers and non-commissioned officers, the military will relaunch the examination for reserve officers and reserve non-commissioned officers next year.

The Legislative Yuan's Foreign and National Defense Committee invited Defense Minister Chiu Kuo-cheng to deliver a special report on "The Impact of Declining Birthrate on the Military's Human Resources Policy and Responses" on Tuesday morning, followed by a question-and-answer session.

In response to a question from Taiwan People's Party legislator Wang An-hsiang, Chiu Kuo-cheng stated that the number of one-year conscripts will significantly increase next year with the university graduation wave. As the manning level of combat units is crucial, discussions are underway with the Directorate-General of Personnel Administration regarding combat pay for conscripts who are willing to serve in combat units.

Chiu Kuo-cheng pointed out that with the increase in conscript numbers, the proportion of those willing to serve in combat units will also rise. The aim is to increase incentives to attract highly capable individuals, who can then be incorporated into the reserve force management in the future to maintain professional capabilities.

In its special report, the Ministry of National Defense stated that facing a gradual decrease in the recruitable population, the military's operational model must transform from a traditional labor-intensive force-building approach to a modernized, technologically advanced, and automated force. To optimize overall human resource utilization efficiency and enhance willingness to serve, the Ministry of National Defense plans to provide monthly combat pay to conscripted officers and soldiers serving in combat units.

Chiu Kuo-cheng also informed Democratic Progressive Party legislator Chen Chun-yu during the Q&A session that to address the shortage of junior officers and non-commissioned officers, the examination for reserve officers and reserve non-commissioned officers will be relaunched next year.

Chen Chun-yu inquired about the effectiveness of re-enlistment. Chiu Kuo-cheng explained that the number of re-enlistments in 2025 was 538, an increase of 156 compared to 2024. As of July 1, 2026, there have been 344 individuals, and the number is expected to grow steadily this year. (Edited by Yang Kai-hsiang) 07082026

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