Taiwan's Control Yuan Urges Defense Ministry to Reform Military Education

Taiwan's Control Yuan has called on the Ministry of National Defense to undertake significant reforms in military education and training. The oversight body's joint report, compiled by Control Yuan members Lai Ting-ming, Hsiao Tzu-yu, and Pu Chung-cheng, identifies several key areas needing improvement amidst global geopolitical shifts and rapid technological advancements.

The report points to a critical lack of legally defined standards and objective criteria for military education budgets, hindering stable funding. It also notes the comparatively short tenure of military university principals, averaging only two to three years, which raises concerns about the continuity of institutional vision and stable development. The Control Yuan recommends that the Ministry of National Defense actively seek competitive funding from the Ministry of Education and explore solutions for longer leadership terms in military academies.

Furthermore, the investigation highlighted the importance of addressing the needs of indigenous students within the military. While indigenous individuals represent a notable percentage of both active military personnel and students in military schools, only the Naval Academy currently has a dedicated resource center. The Control Yuan urges the Ministry of National Defense to assess other military institutions and establish similar centers in accordance with the law.

In response to evolving threats, particularly from China's hybrid warfare tactics, the report stresses the need for enhanced cognitive warfare training. It advocates for integrating relevant courses into military curricula to strengthen the resolve and beliefs of both active personnel and cadets. The report also critiques the lack of concrete research projects within defense technology research centers, despite their establishment, urging closer collaboration between military universities and the National Science and Technology Council to bolster national defense research capabilities.