Sergeant Assignment Rates on Navy Vessels Hit Rock Bottom... New Recruitment Also Faces Major Hurdles

Assemblyman Yoo Yongwon of the People Power Party

The Navy is reportedly facing difficulties in recruiting new sergeants. In particular, the assignment rate of sergeants to key naval vessels remains extremely low, raising concerns that the Navy may struggle to secure a sufficient number of experienced non-commissioned officers in the future.

According to data on the "Assignment Rates of Key Naval Vessel Officers" submitted by the Navy Headquarters to Assemblyman Yoo Yongwon of the National Defense Committee on October 23, as of this year, the sergeant assignment rate for the Jangbogo-class submarines Park Wi and Lee Jongmu is currently 0%, while the Ahn Changho’s sergeant assignment rate stands at only 34%. In contrast, the assignment rates for master sergeants are 216% for Park Wi, 228% for Lee Jongmu, and 137% for Ahn Changho.

The assignment rate of sergeants is also low for destroyers, which are multi-purpose warships used for anti-ship attacks, anti-submarine warfare, and fleet air defense. Among the Navy’s main destroyers, Daejoyeong has a sergeant assignment rate of 28.6%, Yulgok Yi I 39.1%, and Gwanggaeto 53.5%. The rates for Yulgok Yi I and Gwanggaeto are 39.1% and 53.5%, respectively.

Regarding the low sergeant assignment rates on key naval vessels, Assemblyman Yoo Yongwon stated, "Currently, staff sergeants and master sergeants are filling the gap left by sergeants, but before long, the Navy will face significant challenges in maintaining an appropriate number of skilled non-commissioned officers." He added, "It is urgent to improve working conditions, such as introducing innovative boarding incentive programs, to address the issue of sergeants avoiding shipboard duty due to harsh conditions like long voyages and limited living space."

Amid these extremely low assignment rates for non-commissioned officers on key naval vessels, the Navy is reportedly experiencing significant difficulties in recruiting new sergeants. Over the past five years, the selection rates for new sergeants have continuously declined: 89.7% in 2020, 88.9% in 2021, 86.5% in 2022, 62.4% in 2023, and 54.7% in 2024. Notably, as of September this year, the selection rate stands at only 43.3%, which is expected to set a record low.

Assemblyman Yoo stated, "The difficulty in securing new officers is a structural issue faced by all branches of the military, and the Navy can no longer address it through its own efforts alone." He emphasized, "It is urgent for the Ministry of National Defense and the government to implement extraordinary measures to boost morale and improve the treatment of officers."