Personnel
See also: Military ranks of South Korea, Comparative military ranks of Korea, and Conscription in South KoreaMilitary service is mentioned as one of the Four Constitutional Duties (along with taxes, education, and labor) for all citizens. The current effective Conscription Law, however, applies only to males although women can volunteer as officers or non-commissioned officers. Military service varies according to branch: 21 months for the Army and Marine Corps, 23 months for the Navy, 24 months for the Air Force and civil service. The other professional civil service is from 26 months to 36 months.
Recently, however, there has been significant pressure from the public demanding either a shortening of the term or a switch to voluntary military service.
In the Republic of Korea Armed Forces, ranks fall into one of four categories: commissioned officer, warrant officer, non-commissioned officer, and enlisted, in decreasing order of authority. Commissioned officer ranks are further subdivided into "Janggwan" or general officers, "Yeonggwan" or field grade officers, and "Wigwan" or company officers. The "Wonsu" is appointed from the "Daejang" who has distinguished achievements. However, there has been no one holding the rank of "Wonsu" in the history of the ROK Armed Forces. All branches share a common rank-system, with different colors used to denote the different branches (Army: Green & Black, Navy: White & Black, Marine Corps: Red & Yellow, Air Force: Green & Blue).
| Commissioned Officers (장교; 將校; Janggyo) | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| 장관 (將官; Janggwan) | |||
| 원수 | 元帥 | Wonsu | General of the Army |
| 대장 | 大將 | Daejang | General |
| 중장 | 中將 | Jungjang | Lieutenant General |
| 소장 | 少將 | Sojang | Major General |
| 준장 | 准將 | Junjang | Brigadier General |
| 영관 (領官; Yeonggwan) | |||
| 대령 | 大領 | Daeryeong | Colonel |
| 중령 | 中領 | Jungnyeong | Lieutenant Colonel |
| 소령 | 少領 | Soryeong | Major |
| 위관 (尉官; Wigwan) | |||
| 대위 | 大尉 | Daewi | Captain |
| 중위 | 中尉 | Jungwi | First Lieutenant |
| 소위 | 少尉 | Sowi | Second Lieutenant |
| Warrant Officers (준사관; 准士官; Junsagwan) | |||
| 준위 | 准尉 | Junwi | Warrant Officer |
| Non-Commissioned Officers (부사관; 副士官; Busagwan) | |||
| 원사 | 元士 | Wonsa | Sergeant Major |
| 상사 | 上士 | Sangsa | Master Sergeant |
| 중사 | 中士 | Jungsa | Sergeant First Class |
| 하사 | 下士 | Hasa | Staff Sergeant |
| Enlisted (병; 兵; Byeong) | |||
| 병장 | 兵長 | Byeongjang | Sergeant |
| 상병 | 上兵 | Sangbyeong | Corporal |
| 일병 | 一兵 | Ilbyeong | Private First Class |
| 이병 | 二兵 | Ibyeong | Private |
Note: The English titles are given as comparative examples with the US Army ranks.
Read more about this topic: Republic Of Korea Armed Forces
Famous quotes containing the word personnel:
“This woman is headstrong, obstinate and dangerously self- opinionated.”
—Report by Personnel Officer at I.C.I., rejecting Mrs. Thatcher for a job in 1948.