As an alternative form of military service held in high regard by Taiwan’s student population, interest in joining the Taiwan Youth Overseas Service hit record highs in 2014, with 862 applications. Unlike other alternative forms military service, the Taiwan Youth Overseas Service focuses on professional specialties, so applicants are screened for professional qualifications before lots are drawn as part of the program’s rigorous selection process.

This year the process ultimately saw the selection of 86 candidates, now due to attend a training camp organized in cooperation with the Ministry of the Interior’s National Conscription Agency from September 15. After this six-week induction, the draftees will be dispatched to 18 countries across Asia and the Pacific, Central and South America, the Caribbean and Africa, among them providing services at 12 of Taiwan’s technical and medical missions, and on 20 special projects.

For the agriculture, forestry and fishing sector, this year’s group of servicemen includes draftees specializing in agriculture and horticulture, aquaculture, livestock, entomology and farming machinery; meanwhile, in the field of public health and medicine, specialties will include medicine, dentistry, medical examination and public health. Elsewhere, Spanish and French will be represented, as will specialties in economics, business management, information management and tourism within the field of management, while other draftees will specialize in hydraulic engineering and industrial design. A wide range of specialties including nutrition, soil science, life sciences and plant conservation are also new for 2014.

The Taiwan Youth Overseas Service was established in 2001. A total of 1,005 servicemen had previously served with the program prior to the recruitment of this year’s 14th group.

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• Update: 2018/03/01
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