Problems Facing Taiwan's Transition to an All-Volunteer Military

The transition to an all-volunteer force is a prominent part of Taiwan's military modernization efforts. The Republic of China's previous policy of conscripting young citizens for 12 months of service does not meet Taiwan's increasing need for highly trained troops. The issue is all the more pressing as Taiwan revises its defense strategy in the face of a widening gap between the militaries of the Republic of China and the People's Republic of China. Although the transition is an integral part of Taiwan's military modernization efforts, it is increasingly proving problematic.