Discharged After 7 Months and Completed Return-to-Work Report
Unit Members Send Supportive Voice Messages and More
A story has been shared about a son who became a soldier following his father, a retired Army Warrant Officer, collapsing during night training and being given a hopeless prognosis, but surviving through a '1% miracle.' On the 15th, a post titled "Our second son survived by a 1% miracle" was uploaded on the Facebook page "Delivering Messages from the Army Training Center (Yukdaejeon)."
The story has been shared of a son who became a soldier following his father, an Army Reserve Warrant Officer, collapsing during night training and being given a prognosis of no hope, but surviving by a "1% miracle." [Photo source=Facebook page 'We Deliver Army Training Center News']
A retired Warrant Officer A, who has two sons, said, "My second son wanted to become a soldier like me, so he enlisted in the Special Forces and was serving as a sergeant in the 1st Airborne Special Forces Brigade." However, the accident came without warning. In the early dawn of last August, A received an urgent call from the battalion commander of the unit where his second son B was serving. He was informed that B had collapsed during night training in the mountains and was transported to the Armed Forces Capital Hospital. Then came the devastating news: despite emergency treatment, B was unconscious.
After being transferred to Bundang Seoul National University Hospital for re-examination, the medical staff told A, "B is in a state without spontaneous breathing or consciousness, with brain damage and multiple organ failure," adding, "The survival probability is less than 1%." A was devastated by the medical team's words. However, acquaintances of A extended their helping hands. A representative from the Medical Command's entrusted patient management team persuaded the medical staff, saying, "Since B is still young and has a soldier's spirit, let's continue treatment a bit longer." Furthermore, whenever there was confusion about the treatment process, the Medical Command's entrusted patient management team and the Army Headquarters patient support team helped make the process easier to understand.
Miraculously Regained Consciousness Amid Support and Efforts
The support from B's comrades in the Special Warfare Command's 1st Airborne Special Forces Brigade, who wished for his recovery, also played a part. A expressed gratitude, saying, "When my son was fighting for his life, I am very thankful to the former brigade commander, the current brigade commander, the brigade senior warrant officer, and all former unit members," adding, "Although visits were limited to 30 minutes, they were always by our side." In addition, unit members sent voice messages and showed great care.
A said, "I served in the military for 35 years, but I had never seen anything like this," moved by the experience. B, whose survival chance was 1%, miraculously regained consciousness thanks to everyone's support and efforts. His brain and organs returned to normal, and after seven months, he was discharged and completed his reinstatement report. A said, "Some ask if I am worried about sending my child to the military again," but added, "I feel reassured because of the sincerity shown by the Medical Command, Army Headquarters, and the Special Warfare Command's 1st Airborne Special Forces Brigade while Sergeant Choi was hospitalized." He concluded his post by expressing gratitude to everyone who helped his son survive the 1% miracle, be discharged, and return to duty.
Netizens who saw the post responded with comments such as, "Your father is amazing, but your son, the Ministry of National Defense, and the unit members are truly remarkable and admirable," "Wow, a truly miraculous event happened," and "As a citizen, I support you."
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