Taiwan’s armed forces have yet to show meaningful cultural shifts a year after analysts warned that systemic reforms were needed to compete with China. In 2025, Michael Hunzeker and Yuster Yu argued that Taiwan’s military and society required deep changes to prepare for a potential conflict. Their follow-up finds no major transformation in the officer corps or broader defense culture despite the urgency.
The pair notes that organizational culture changes slowly, but they express concern over the Lai administration’s lack of action. They highlight Taiwan’s high general-to-trooper ratio—roughly one for every 500 servicemembers—as evidence of entrenched inefficiencies. Their 2025 proposal to reduce the number of generals and admirals remains unaddressed, underscoring persistent structural issues.
Hunzeker and Yu emphasize that their goal was to spark discussion, not declare failure. They caution against premature declarations of reform, pointing to past instances where Taiwan’s Ministry of National Defense claimed sudden cultural shifts in response to U.S. pressure. The analysts now urge the Lai administration to prioritize practical steps before assuming readiness.
