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[Global Network Report] According to Taiwan's China Times News Network on August 12, the Taiwan Defense Department recently revised the threshold for "early discharge" for conscripted men, canceling the two clauses that allow early discharge due to "the death of the family member who originally supported the family's livelihood, and there are no other family members to support the family's livelihood" or "the family is listed as a low-income household or a low-middle-income household." The outside world questioned whether the Taiwan military is facing a "tight supply of soldiers." Democratic Progressive Party legislator Lai Ruilong claimed that the shortage of soldiers was not true, but was "slapped in the face" by netizens on the island: "No one wants to serve in the army, so do we need to spread rumors?"

According to Taiwanese media reports, Lai Ruilong said on the 11th that some media speculated that due to Taiwan's tight military strength, the Taiwan Defense Department intends to adjust the regulations on early discharge of economically disadvantaged compulsory service. He said that the Taiwan Interior Department has made relevant adjustments to the fairness of military service, including the same regulations for regular and alternative service, and the Taiwan Defense Department followed suit to make adjustments for the fairness of military service. Lai Ruilong claimed that we should not deliberately bring up the so-called lack of ability and resources in everything, as these are all fake news intended to undermine the morale of the military.

China Times News noted that Lai Ruilong's remarks sparked discussions among netizens on the island's online forum PTT. Some said, "That's because the troops are tight," "But a lot of people want to leave early," "Isn't it true that Taiwan lacks troops?" "Four months turned into one year, and even two years are being considered, that's because there are not enough troops."

Others said, "Why spread rumors that no one wants to join the army?" "We are not short of soldiers, but I won't give you any way to retire early."

Some people even sarcastically said, "The Washington Post's news release nine days ago clearly stated that it was "suspicious of the United States."

According to Taiwan TVBS News, The Washington Post recently said that the Taiwan Defense Department confirmed at the end of April that the original plan for 9,127 people to join the army this year was reduced to 6,936. The Washington Post calculated that this is 6% of those who meet the requirements. How did the number come from? It should be based on the number of men born in Taiwan in 2005, which is about 100,000. More than 6,000 people joining the army is indeed about 6% to 7%. Most students will choose to continue their studies after completing their university studies. If they are not admitted to the master's program, they will join the army. This means that men of military age born in 2005 will not receive full training until 2027.

The United Daily News previously reported that compared with the lack of training of the Taiwan military's reserve forces, what is more serious is that the volunteer personnel who are the core of the Taiwan military's regular forces are also rapidly decreasing. The report said that relevant statistics show that from 2022 to the first half of 2023, the Taiwan military's volunteer forces have lost more than 9,600 people, a proportion of up to 6%. One of the reasons is that "the grassroots troops of the Taiwan military are overworked, and strengthening training has become a harsh policy that has caused a large number of volunteer personnel to leave." A retired general of the Taiwan military said that the field troops have a fixed training cycle, which used to be a round every one and a half to two years. Now the Taiwan military has decided to change it to once a year. "The whole process often takes more than half a year, the troops are constantly in a tense state, and the grassroots cadres are under great pressure. Many people have decided to retire for this reason, but exercises and combat readiness cannot be stopped due to lack of personnel. The responsibility must be shared by the remaining cadres, and the pressure becomes heavier, making more people not want to stay, forming a vicious circle."