Daegu Science University Establishes Marine Corps NCO ROTC... Commander Kim Gyehwan Urges Pride and Responsibility

The Marine Corps held the inauguration ceremony for the Marine Corps Non-Commissioned Officer Reserve Officers' Training Corps (ROTC) at Yeongsong Hall, Daegu Science University, at 2 p.m. on the 3rd.

Presided over by Marine Corps Commandant Lieutenant General Kim Gyehwan, the ceremony was attended by the first class of 11 cadets (6 men and 5 women) and their families and relatives, as well as key figures such as Brigadier General Kim Heon, Commander of the Marine Corps Education and Training Group, Park Jieun, President of Daegu Science University, and other Marine Corps and university officials, who gathered to celebrate the establishment of the Marine Corps ROTC at Daegu Science University.

The Marine Corps Non-Commissioned Officer ROTC unit inauguration ceremony is being held at Daegu Science College.

The Marine Corps first established its ROTC at Yeoju University in 2015 with the goal of expanding and nurturing elite non-commissioned officers, who serve as the backbone of command and management within the Marine Corps. This year, the second ROTC was inaugurated at Daegu Science University.

After the inauguration, the ROTC cadets will take military science courses as electives for a total of three semesters, from the second semester of their first year to the second semester of their second year.

In addition, during the winter and summer vacations of their first and second years, the cadets will undergo a total of nine weeks of "enlistment training" at the Marine Corps Education and Training Group. During this period, they will receive training in land navigation, squad combat, marksmanship, mental strength, and more. In the final enlistment training at the end of their second year, they will take the "commissioning comprehensive evaluation," which assesses their qualifications to become Marine Corps NCOs.

Cadets who pass the commissioning comprehensive evaluation will graduate and be commissioned in 2026, after which they will be assigned to operational units to fulfill their duties as Marine Corps NCOs in defense of the nation.

In his commemorative address, Marine Corps Commandant Kim Gyehwan stated, "The proud traditions and history of the Marine Corps were made possible by the senior NCOs who fought bravely on the front lines, unafraid of death in the most urgent moments of battle," and added, "As ROTC NCOs, I hope you will take pride and a strong sense of responsibility in upholding and advancing the tradition and honor of the 'Patriotic and Loyal Marine Corps.'"

Oh Heonseok, Commander of the ROTC at Daegu Science University (retired Marine Corps Lieutenant Colonel), said, "We will do our utmost to foster elite Marine Corps NCOs who are upright, strong, and competent soldiers." Cadet Lee Jiwon shared, "I will cultivate the Marine Corps spirit and physical strength to continue the proud tradition and honor of Marine Corps NCOs."