Chief of the General Staff Admiral Mei Chia-shu delivered an address today at the National Defense University’s Fu Hsing Kang College campus as part of the 2026 Anti-Communist and Patriotic Education Program for graduates from the Armed Forces’ eight military academies and institutions. He commended the graduates for the perseverance and dedication that had brought them this far and encouraged them to value the responsibilities and honor they were about to assume. He also urged them to continually develop their professional expertise and leadership abilities and face the challenges of military service with unwavering resolve.
Admiral Mei said that although each graduate may have chosen military education for different reasons, what truly mattered was their perseverance in completing the journey. Wearing rank insignia represents not only a responsibility entrusted by the nation, but also a profound honor. Those who wear the uniform must remain fully conscious of their mission to defend the nation and protect their homeland. It is because generations of service members have remained steadfast at their posts that the nation is more secure and the public has greater confidence in the Armed Forces.
Turning to the qualities required of future military leaders, Admiral Mei said that leadership is not merely about issuing demands, but also about trusting and encouraging subordinates and guiding the entire team toward shared growth. He emphasized that competence is developed gradually through consistent effort. Only through daily learning and experience can officers progressively build the professional expertise and leadership abilities needed to fulfill their responsibilities as military leaders.
With the modern battlefield environment evolving rapidly, Admiral Mei encouraged the graduates to continue learning, embrace challenges, and refuse to be discouraged by setbacks. He said that cooperation across military services and occupational specialties would be an essential capability in the future. Only by continually strengthening their abilities and developing the courage to overcome adversity could the graduates remain steady in a rapidly changing environment, while never losing sight of their original aspiration to serve in the military and defend the nation.