The Ministry of National Defense hosted the “2019 Armed Forces Reserve Counseling Committee” yesterday at Zhong Zheng Tang. President Tsai Ing-wen was present at the event to commend senior reserve officers and committee leaders as well as 364 senior counselors from centers across the nation. The president commended MND volunteers for their selfless, nameless, and quiet dedication in protecting our nation and society.

 Commending Senior Counselors in Advancement of National Defense

 The counseling association of the Armed Forces Reserve Command was established in 1966 for the purpose of fulfilling the 4 major roles of organization, promotion, security, and service for the reserve command; the “Armed Forces Reserve Counseling Committee” is held annually to commend senior counselors with exceptional contributions, their support in advancing the MND, and their silent contributions in the face of disaster to act as exemplary models in the value and meaning of improving our all-out defense. During her speech, President Tsai Ing-wen stated that the armed forces is the frontline of our national defense while the reserve command plays a key role in joint warfare with the armed forces; the counseling committee of the Armed Forces Reserve is responsible for supporting the armed forces by shouldering the mission of all-out defense. The president issued memorial plaques to reserve leader Mr. Ko Shui-yuan, 9 senior reserve command counselors, and 34 committee leaders to show the nation’s recognition of their dedication. President Tsai Ing-wen pointed out that the members of the counseling committee in the Armed Forces Reserve stationed across the nation not only assist with regular training, servicing the Armed Forces Reserve, and promoting national defense across the nation, but they act as an important bridge between the armed forces and society. When disasters strike, senior members of the counseling committee of the Armed Forces Reserve are often seen wearing “All-Out Defense” vests in disaster areas to assist the armed forces with rescue and relief efforts.

 Ever Present in Disaster Relief and Rescue

 President Tsai Ing-wen further stated that during the “Hualien 0206 Earthquake”, Hualien City counseling center director Wu Shi-hong led a team into the disaster region and setup service stations to provide hot meals to civilians and members of rescue teams; during the “0823 Floods”, Chiayi Puzi City counseling center director Hung Wen-hsien led a team to deliver supplies to flooded regions; during the “Puyuma Express Derailment Incident”, Yilan Su’ao Township counseling center director Weng Zheng-cheng immediately led a team to the crash site to assist rescue teams and provide hot meals. President Tsai Ing-wen emphasized that these 3 examples are merely a fraction of the contributions by the Armed Forces Reserve. The joint efforts have given warmth to disaster victims and greatly boosted morale in the armed forces. These examples go to show that the counseling committee of the Armed Forces Reserve plays a key role in the military’s rescue efforts and that in the event of war, the committee will absolutely play a key role in supporting the armed forces.

 Promoting Facilities to Care for Armed Forces Reserves

 President Tsai Ing-wen noted that current members and reserves of the armed forces are naturally members of the same family and as Commander-in-Chief, it is her duty to care for reserves and implement reforms which are in the process of diligent planning. President Tsai Ing-wen stated the contributions of the counseling committee in supporting their nation should make them eligible to receive legally mandated “labor insurance”, “disability claims”, and veteran-level treatment at “all military hospitals” in addition to 2 facilities that are currently being studied by the MND. First, is educating the public on the contributions of the Armed Forces Reserve towards the military and society; these nameless heroes should receive the same level of respect and affirmation from the public as the military during Armed Forces Day. Second, the principle of all-out defense must be realized when implementing organization reforms in the Armed Forces Reserve by expanding social services and power to support the armed forces during wartime, increasing budgets, deepening the quality of services, and expanding service regions by establishing offices in all counties, townships, cities, and regions. Finally, President Tsai Ing-wen emphasized that while the members of the Armed Forces Reserve have achieved success in various industries, they are identical to members of the armed forces in their love and dedication to their homeland. The president called for the audience to remember the spirit of loyalty in their dedication to country and that she will work even harder to let the nation’s citizens understand, acknowledge, and support the Armed Forces Reserve. (Youth Daily News)