Taiwan Army Academy Celebrates 102nd Anniversary, Commander Urges Cadets to Embrace Modernization

Taiwan's Army Academy celebrated its 102nd anniversary, with Army Commander Lu Kun-hsiu urging cadets to become "high-quality, modernized, and technologically adept officers." Addressing the students, Lu outlined three key areas for development: steadfast commitment to military service, continuous innovation in thinking, and the cultivation of self-management and excellent leadership abilities.

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The military man is not just a profession, but a mission, not just to achieve oneself, but to achieve the survival and development of the entire nation.

Lu shared his personal journey into military service, initially driven by financial necessity but evolving into a profound sense of duty and national responsibility. He emphasized that military service is not merely a profession but a "vocation" that contributes to the nation's survival and development. Citing President Lai Ching-te, Lu stressed the irreplaceable value and status of soldiers in national security.

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For national security, only the military has irreplaceable value and an irreplaceable position.

The anniversary ceremony featured displays of new military hardware, including the M1A2T tank, HIMARS rocket systems, and various drones. Lu highlighted the critical synergy between advanced equipment and skilled personnel, stating that "new equipment, new technology, new training, and new thinking" are essential concepts. He encouraged cadets to leverage their youthful advantages in innovation and knowledge acquisition, urging them to be pioneers in defensive operations rather than followers of enemy tactics.

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New equipment, new technology, new training, new thinking are very important concepts.

Furthermore, Lu underscored the importance of discipline and self-reflection for future officers. He stated that self-discipline is crucial to prevent the abuse of command authority, while "慎獨" (shèn dú), or being cautious and self-aware when alone, is fundamental to avoiding moral lapses and becoming an outstanding leader. The academy's four-year officer training program aims to equip students with both professional knowledge and superior command capabilities.

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We must become pioneers in defensive operations, not followers of the enemy's tactics and strategies.