Unable to renew ROC Passport

I just got back from the San Francisco TECO and they said I can’t renew my ROC passport due to the fact I haven’t been to the army. I renewed twice before and never had any issues. I’m 33 years old now and I don’t know if that has anything to do with it. If I need to go to the army then I don’t understand how I can fly back to Taiwan to join the army if I don’t even have a valid passport to fly!

I was wondering if anyone has heard of this and what can be done (maybe they would allow me to renew for just one year)? I did a search and didn’t come up with any thing in this forum. I apologize if it has already been covered before!

Thanks for any response.