168 Air Force Officer Candidates Commissioned... Fourth Military ID Earned in Pursuit of Pilot Dream

The Air Force announced on November 24 that it held the commissioning ceremony for the 155th class of Officer Candidates at the main parade ground of the Air Force Education and Training Command. A total of 168 new Air Force officers were commissioned through this ceremony, including 50 women.

According to the Air Force, these candidates enlisted in the Basic Military Training Group in August and, over the course of three months, received education and training to develop the physical strength, mental fortitude, and leadership required of officers. The Minister of National Defense Award, given to the top graduate, was awarded to Second Lieutenant Kim Kyungrae (Air Defense Artillery). The Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Award went to Second Lieutenant Yoo Eunje (Supply and Transportation), the Chief of Staff of the Air Force Award to Second Lieutenant Park Seunghyun (Personnel and Education), the Commander of the Education and Training Command Award to Second Lieutenant Park Jonghyuk (Personnel and Education), and the Commander of the Basic Military Training Group Award to Second Lieutenant Sun Jaeha (Engineering).

At this commissioning ceremony, several officers with unique backgrounds drew attention. For example, Second Lieutenant Hwang Heeil (Pilot) received his fourth military identification number, having previously served as an Air Force non-commissioned officer, Air Force officer, and Army civilian employee. After graduating from the Aviation Science High School, he was commissioned as an Air Force non-commissioned officer in 2016, then as an Air Force officer in 2020, served with a meteorological specialty, and, after discharge, worked as a Grade 6 Army civilian employee for 11 years and 5 months. Now, he has been commissioned again as a pilot officer.

Second Lieutenant Hwang stated, "I decided to challenge myself again as an officer with the determination to become a fighter pilot and protect the skies," adding, "Although this is my second commissioning as a second lieutenant, I will steel myself as I embark on a new path, dedicate myself to training and duties, and strive to become a fighter pilot who protects the lives and safety of the people from the highest place."

Additionally, Second Lieutenant Kwon Jaewook (Interpreter) gave up his U.S. permanent residency to be commissioned as an Air Force interpreter officer. He spent his adolescence in the United States, studied international law and international politics at Fudan University in China, and later researched Northeast Asian security at the Graduate School of International Studies at Seoul National University. Second Lieutenant Kwon said, "Having been commissioned as an Air Force interpreter officer by leveraging my language skills, I hope to make a significant contribution to the advancement of military diplomacy."

Second Lieutenant Kim Eunji (Aircraft Armament Maintenance) follows in the footsteps of her grandfather, a former Air Force officer, and her father, a former Army officer, while Second Lieutenant Kim Jihwan (Intelligence) continues a family legacy as the third generation of Air Force officers, following both his grandfather and father. Second Lieutenant Kim Eunji stated, "I will do my utmost in the duties entrusted to me so as not to bring shame to my grandfather and father, and I will continue to grow as a talent needed by my country."