A new recruit at Taiwan's Douhuanping training base has been sentenced to 40 days' detention for beating a bunkmate during a fight over a missing camouflage uniform, a small but telling case of discipline problems inside basic training.

• Two recruits argued at the Miaoli base after laundry got mixed up and one uniform went missing.
• After a sergeant broke up the dispute and left, one recruit climbed to the other's top bunk and punched him in the head.
• The victim suffered head and hand bruises and reported the attack only during a later bunk check.
• The court called the attacker an adult who should have talked it out, and faulted his self-control.
• The 40-day detention can be converted to a fine; the victim refused to settle.

Outlook: The case is closed at the district court level, but it adds to scrutiny of how Taiwan's military handles bullying and violence among conscripts.