Richard Sanders
The government is contemplating proposed changes to the regulations surrounding alternative civilian service aimed at enhancing the nation’s civil defense capabilities. This initiative was revealed as part of a strategy to address the increasing frequency of natural disasters and geopolitical tensions.
Earlier in December 2022, the Executive Yuan integrated demobilized civilian service members into the civil defense framework, allowing the recall of individuals who have been discharged within the past eight years for annual training sessions.
According to a statement from the Ministry of the Interior, the latest amendments would enable the government to summon former civilian service members more frequently and for extended periods than previously permitted. This measure is intended to bolster preparedness for extreme weather events, natural disasters, and military support if necessary.
The proposed regulations would permit recalls of personnel who were discharged between one and nine years ago for training related to civil defense tasks. Moreover, local and central government agencies would be required to notify former civilian service members of any recalls at least 10 days prior, reduced from the previous 20 days.
In addition, the government seeks to increase the recall capacity to 50 percent of available civilian service reservists, up from the current 20 percent. The existing five-day limit on training service will be eliminated, and members will receive summonses two days prior to the scheduled events.
Exemptions are planned for those who are injured, ill, in bereavement, or facing significant personal emergencies, according to the ministry.
This year, the government has set a goal to draft 13,650 men into civilian alternative service. Applications for military conscription for those wishing to pursue alternative service are expected to begin next month.
Initially aiming to recall 72,000 former civilian service personnel for national emergency response training, the target has now been adjusted to 50,000 due to budget constraints. Last year, the government successfully recalled 50,052 demobilized members to prepare them for such situations.
Furthermore, an official confirmed that 120 active and reserve civilian service members would be participating in the nation’s inaugural Whole-of-Society Defense Resilience Field Exercise scheduled in Tainan this Thursday.