Military needs talent retention program By Yao Chung-yuan 姚中原 For many years, the Ministry of National Defense has encouraged and selected outstanding military personnel to study at foreign military academies. However, most students, on returning to Taiwan, simply serve out the minimum term of service and then leave the military. This damaging retention problem must be properly addressed by each branch of the military, and measures must be implemented to improve the situation. A report by the ministry said that since 2016, seven graduates from foreign military colleges have resigned immediately on completion of their statutory 10-year basic service, and another two graduates left the military before completing their term.