Third-Generation Air Force Officers Commissioned as Second Lieutenants

[Asia Economy Yang Nak-gyu Reporter] A bachelor's degree officer candidate who was commissioned as an Air Force officer for the third generation has been born. The protagonists, Second Lieutenants Kim Hyun-tak (22, Flight Training) and Jang Soon-il (24, Intelligence), received their second lieutenant rank insignia on the 28th.

On this day, the Air Force held the commissioning ceremony for the 144th class of bachelor's degree officer candidates at the Education Command's grand parade ground in Jinju, Gyeongnam. A total of 409 candidates were commissioned, including Second Lieutenant Choi Su-ji (29, Supply and Transportation), who re-enlisted after being discharged as an Army officer, and Second Lieutenant Lee Se-yeon (23, Supply and Transportation), who was commissioned after serving as a non-commissioned officer.

Second Lieutenant Kim Hyun-tak, commissioned as an Air Force officer for the third generation, became the third-generation Air Force officer following his grandfather, a former Air Force officer, and his father, who is currently serving as an active-duty Air Force colonel. His late grandfather, Kim Jung-seop, was commissioned in 1959 as the 7th class of the Air Force Academy and served as the Air Force Headquarters Organization Director before retiring as a colonel in 1983. His father, Colonel Kim Jae-wook (51), was commissioned in 1992 as the 40th class of the Air Force Academy, served as a fighter pilot, and held positions such as Commander of the 20th Fighter Wing's Air Operations Squadron. He is currently serving as the Deputy Director of Flight Management at the Air Force Headquarters Information Planning Staff.

From a young age, Second Lieutenant Kim naturally decided to become an Air Force officer while listening to stories about the roles and missions of Air Force officers from his grandfather and father. He said, "The pride and honor of being an Air Force officer for three generations following my grandfather and father were the driving forces that helped me overcome the tough training," adding, "I will emulate my father, who even gave up his leave to complete his mission, and become an excellent pilot who protects the airspace of the Republic of Korea."

Second Lieutenant Choi Su-ji re-commissioned as an Air Force officer after being discharged as an Army officer. She was commissioned in 2013 as the 58th class of Army bachelor's degree officers, served as a platoon leader in the 7th Division in Hwacheon, Gangwon Province, and as a personnel officer at the 36th Division's recruit training battalion in Wonju, before being discharged as an Army first lieutenant in 2016. After discharge, she dreamed of becoming an officer after witnessing the Air Force's collaborative efforts across various departments to launch a single fighter jet. Despite her parents' opposition to her re-enlistment, she confidently gained their approval by maintaining a disciplined lifestyle after discharge.

Second Lieutenant Lee Se-yeon changed her status from an Air Force non-commissioned officer to an officer. She was commissioned as an Air Force sergeant in 2016 as the 45th class of the Aviation Science High School and worked at the Air Force Meteorological Unit, responsible for mobile meteorological equipment maintenance and meteorological equipment software development. After being promoted to staff sergeant, she applied to become a bachelor's degree officer candidate and became an officer.

At the commissioning ceremony, Second Lieutenant Kim Hyung-rae (27, Finance) received the Minister of National Defense Award, while Second Lieutenants Shim Jun-seop (24, Meteorology) and Choi Ji-hoon (27, Personnel Education) received the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Award and the Air Force Chief of Staff Award, respectively.