3,739 ROTC Officers Commissioned as Second Lieutenants... Joint Commissioning Ceremony Held

On the 27th, graduates are saluting at the '75th Graduation and Commissioning Ceremony' held at the Korea Military Academy in Nowon-gu, Seoul. Photo by Jinhyung Kang aymsdream@

[Asia Economy Yang Nak-gyu, Military Specialist Reporter]The 2021 ROTC commissioning ceremony was held on the 26th at the Army Cadet Military School in Goesan, Chungbuk, and at 117 ROTC units nationwide.

A total of 3,739 ROTC cadets (including 375 female soldiers) were commissioned as second lieutenants in the Army, Navy, Air Force, and Marine Corps. The joint commissioning ceremony was presided over by Defense Minister Seo Wook, with one representative from each of the 117 ROTC units nationwide in attendance. In the afternoon, each of the 117 ROTC units held their own commissioning ceremonies.

The ceremony was conducted without inviting family members or external guests, strictly adhering to quarantine guidelines in consideration of the COVID-19 situation. It was broadcast live on the Defense News Facebook and YouTube channels.

The newly commissioned second lieutenants were selected as cadets during their first and second years at ROTC units established in 117 universities nationwide, and underwent a rigorous process including major education, military training, and comprehensive commissioning evaluations during their third and fourth years.

The prestigious Presidential Award was presented to Second Lieutenants Park Gwan-yong (Dankook University, ’22) from the Army, Kim Min-jae (Jeju University, ’22) from the Marine Corps, and Bae Seong-woo (Korea National University of Transportation, ’22) from the Air Force.

Second Lieutenant Park said, "Receiving the honorable Presidential Award was possible because of the strong support from my parents and peers over the past two years," adding, "I will not lose my initial resolve and will diligently fulfill my given duties to practice the soldier’s duty of devotion to the country."

There were many cadets with diverse backgrounds among the newly commissioned officers.

Army Second Lieutenant Lee Chung-hwan (Chungnam National University, ’23) and Air Force Second Lieutenant Seo Hyun-jae (Korea Aerospace University, ’22) are descendants of independence activists. Lee’s great-great-grandfather, Lee Geung-ha (Order of Merit for National Foundation), served as chief of staff to Won Yong-pal, a militia leader during the late Joseon period, and was active in militia activities around Yeongwol, Gangwon Province. Seo’s great-grandfather, Seo Hyo-shin (Order of Merit for National Foundation), participated in militia activities to restore national sovereignty and made significant contributions in the Gameun-ri battle.

Army Second Lieutenants Park Beom-jin (Woosong University, ’22), Park Jun-young (Changwon National University, ’22), and Lim Tae-geon (Gyeongnam National University of Science and Technology, ’23), as well as Marine Corps Second Lieutenant Hwang Dae-young (Korea Maritime and Ocean University, ’23), have grandfathers who fought in the Korean War and were each awarded the Hwarang Military Merit Medal.

Army Second Lieutenants Kim Min-gyeom (Hoseo University, ’23), Lim Jae-woo (Chung-Ang University, ’22), and Yoon Jae-jun (Inha University, ’23) are third-generation ROTC officers. Yoon said, "Growing up hearing about ROTC from my grandfather and father, I naturally chose to become an ROTC officer," and expressed his aspiration, "I will inherit the patriotic spirit of my grandfather and father and become a proud Army officer."

Army Second Lieutenant Jo Hyun-woo (Kunsan National University, ’22)’s father, Lieutenant Colonel Jo Jeong-nam (ROTC Class 36), currently serves at the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and Jo’s younger sister is also a cadet in the Kunsan University ROTC Class 61.

Air Force Second Lieutenant Yoon Tae-min (Korea National University of Transportation, ’22)’s father, Warrant Officer Yoon Yoo-jun, works as an aircraft maintenance noncommissioned officer at the 18th Fighter Wing, and his older brother, an Air Force NCO Class 239, is scheduled to be commissioned this May.

There is also an officer with three military service numbers. Army Second Lieutenant Tae Hyeong-jun (Inha University, ’24) served as a rifleman in the 51st Division in June 2016 and later applied to become a professional sergeant. While doing so, he pursued his dream of becoming an officer through ROTC and was commissioned this year, thus holding three military service numbers.

Second Lieutenant Tae said, "I have long admired the life of a soldier devoted to the nation and its people," adding, "Based on my experience as a soldier and NCO, I will become a platoon leader who understands the hearts of my squad members and demonstrates leadership."

Twin brothers were also commissioned simultaneously. Older brother Im Seong-uk (Chungbuk National University, ’22) and younger brother Im Seong-hwan (Hanbat National University, ’22), both Army second lieutenants, are the protagonists. The two brothers said, "As Army officers, we will support each other in military life and fulfill our duties with a brotherly bond that goes beyond sibling love to comradeship."

The newly commissioned second lieutenants will undergo advanced training by branch and will be assigned to frontline units.