All 83 Specialties Now Open for Employment-Customized Technical Soldiers
Evaluation Criteria for Enlisted Applicants Streamlined
New Measures Introduced to Prevent Draft Evasion and Support Alternative Service Personnel
Starting in October, the evaluation criteria for applicants to each branch of the military will be streamlined to reduce the burden on those applying for enlisted positions. In addition, the number of eligible specialties for the Employment-Customized Technical Soldier program, available to graduates (or soon-to-be graduates) of vocational high schools, will be significantly expanded.
The Military Manpower Administration announced these changes to the military service system, which will take effect in the second half of 2025, on July 1.
On the 17th, when the first military service physical examination of 2021 was conducted, candidates were undergoing physical examinations at the Seoul Regional Military Manpower Administration in Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul. Photo by Kim Hyunmin kimhyun81@
First, beginning this month, the pre-enlistment physical examination conducted at the Military Manpower Administration will fully replace the physical examination that was previously administered at military units after enlistment. Furthermore, the number of eligible specialties for the Employment-Customized Technical Soldier program for vocational high school graduates (or soon-to-be graduates) will be expanded from the previous 38 to all 83 specialties starting with applications in July.
Additionally, for those whose Army enlistment unit was previously designated as a front-line division, the enlistment unit would remain fixed as a front-line division even if the enlistment date was rescheduled due to reasons such as a postponement. However, starting this month, the fixed enlistment unit system will be abolished, allowing enlistees to be assigned to any enlistment unit.
Also beginning this month, it will become mandatory for local government officials to complete wartime duty training to enhance their ability to perform duties during wartime. Under the revised Military Service Act, officials responsible for military affairs in local governments must complete at least three hours of wartime duty training each year starting this month.
The tracking and management system for individuals under separate military records management due to illness will also be implemented starting in September. Previously, if individuals under separate management were transferred to wartime labor service or exempted from military service due to illness or mental and physical disabilities, they were removed from the management list. However, to prevent draft evasion disguised as illness or treatment, beginning September 19, if it is necessary to continuously verify the treatment status of the illness that led to the military disposition, follow-up management will be conducted, including checking medical records for up to three years after the disposition.
In addition, the "Alternative Service Personnel Split Service System" will be introduced in September to support stable medical treatment for alternative service personnel. Under this system, if long-term hospitalization or similar treatment is required during service, the individual may suspend service for up to two years and resume service after treatment is completed.
Improvements to evaluation criteria, such as bonus points, aimed at reducing the burden on applicants for enlisted positions will also be implemented in October. Starting with applications in October, qualifications and licenses that are not closely related to military duties will be eliminated, and the evaluation criteria for bonus points will also be simplified.
The Military Manpower Administration stated, "Through the simplification of evaluation criteria for enlisted recruitment and seven other system improvements, we expect to enhance convenience for the public and increase fairness in the fulfillment of military service obligations."
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