Earlier this week, I received a bit of news that finally puts an end to the rumors and speculation: I will be taking my talents to The Research, Development and Evaluation Commission, as part of a Substitute Military Service program that will allow me to complete my required service.
To give a little bit of background, I, being a Taiwanese-born male, am subject to the conscription laws of this country. Being an American citizen does not exempt me from having to serve. There is a loophole some overseas Taiwanese use to avoid service that allows them to simply leave the country for a day and come back every four months. This works for people born before 1985. I was a year too late. Also, I believe there is a height minimum that would free me from doing service. I checked myself and I was half a centimeter over.
Another option was to relinquish my Taiwan citizenship. Not happening.
The thing is, I like this place too much to be restricted to staying only 183 days out of a year, until I’m 35. I would much rather just get the service over with and be free to stay as long as I choose. Luckily there exists the Substitute Military Service that, instead of having me stand guard in a camp in the countryside (or worse, getting sent to some forsaken island like Kinmen), I could work at a government agency or teach English somewhere. The hassle I went through to apply for this is a story for another time.
So, I’ll be starting the end of August, and it lasts for 14 months. The veil is off.
To the ones that mockingly told me “I hope you get drafted”- you got what you wished for. And I guess I did too.
Cheers to the Next Episode.
(P.S. I might be allowed to visit home before I start, we’ll see)
