Military Manpower Administration to Recruit 7,600 Army Technical and Administrative Soldiers for Next Year's Enlistment

The Military Manpower Administration announced on the 16th that it will recruit approximately 7,600 individuals for six specialized positions, including Army technical and administrative soldiers scheduled for enlistment in 2026, from July 7 to 17. The six recruitment specialties are armored vehicle driving, K-55 self-propelled howitzer driving, K-9 self-propelled howitzer driving, chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear (CBRN) decontamination, wheeled armored vehicle driving, and general medical service.

On the morning of the 17th, when the first military service physical examination of 2021 was conducted, a examinee received a "fit for active duty" result at the Seoul Regional Military Manpower Administration in Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul. Photo by Kim Hyunmin kimhyun81@

Previously, Army technical and administrative soldiers submitted applications every month and enlisted three months later. However, there have been difficulties in maintaining a balanced manpower operation throughout the year, as more applicants preferred to enlist in the first half of the year, leading to a concentration of applications during that period and lower application rates in the second half.

In response, the Military Manpower Administration has decided to select annual enlistment candidates at once for the above six pilot specialties, aiming to establish a more predictable and systematic recruitment system. This is intended to support both stable military manpower management and the applicants' future planning.

Those wishing to enlist in one of these six specialties next year can apply by selecting their specialty and preferred enlistment months (first to third choices). For preferred enlistment months, the first and second choices must each select one month from either the first or second half of the year, and the third choice will be randomly assigned to any month with insufficient applicants, only if the applicant agrees.

Eligibility is limited to those aged 18 to 28 (born between January 1, 1997, and December 31, 2007) who are classified as fit for active duty with physical grades 1 to 4, and who meet the specific qualifications for each specialty, such as relevant certificates, licenses, academic majors, or physical requirements. Those who have not yet undergone the military service physical examination may also apply; however, if selected in the first round without having taken the examination, they must undergo a physical examination at the date and location designated by the local Military Manpower Administration.