Ministry of National Defense Republic of Korea

High expectations in terms of job stability…first recruitment ended in a great success

Of the total group of applicants, women accounted for 26%…40 to 1 competition ratio in female infantry for special missions

NCO personnel structure changes from ‘pyramid' to 'jar’ shape

Positive effects on job creation for youth and defense reform

The Army's first recruitment of 'long-term service non-commissioned officers (NCOs)' – a program to recruit long-term service NCOs with three core specialties for five game changers and elite special forces – received an enthusiastic response, with a competition ratio of 8.5 to 1.

“After receiving applications for long-term service NCOs with three specialties – drone·UAV operation, cyber·information system operation, and special mission infantry – from July through August 23rd, 2155 persons applied for the recruitment of total 255 NCOs, a high competition ratio of 8.5 to 1,” the Army said on August 27th.

Of the three specialties, ‘drone·UAV operation’ was the hottest. 548 persons applied for the recruitment of 19 NCOs with the specialty, a competition ratio of 28.8 to 1. Cyber·information system operation and special mission infantry also showed a sharply increased competition ratio, rising to 6.6 to 1 to 6.9 to 1, respectively.

There was a notable leap in the ratio of female applicants. Of the total applicant group, women accounted for 26%(563 persons). The 'female infantry for special missions,' which only recruits about 10 persons, had a competition ratio of 40 to 1 with 404 female applicants.

Successful candidates will be announced this December. They are commissioned next May after passing through beginner-level education. ‘NCOs for Drong·UAV operation’ will operate dronebots and UAVs in the units higher than battalions required for the dronebot combat system, ‘NCOs for cyber·information system operation’ will operate cyber operations and manage information systems serving in information and communication units. ‘NCOs for special mission infantry’ will take charge of special missions serving in commandos and search forces units.

Our analysis of the reason why the Army's long-term service NCO recruitment program gained such huge popularity in the first recruitment found that it can be attributed to the fact that long-term job stability is ensured from the stage of commission. Until last year, the Army's NCO recruitment program made it a rule to recruit all applicants as short-term service NCOs. Long-term service NCOs or service-extended NCOs were recruited only from NCOs who had served in the army over a certain period.

The Army expects that the long-term service NCO recruitment program, which reached a high ratio of application even in its first implementation, will greatly contribute to government job creation for youth and bring positive effects in terms of securing skilled officials, improving combat efficiency, and building the future forces that defense reform requires. Accordingly, the Army will change the current NCO personnel structure from its current 'pyramid' shape, with many sergeants first class and staff sergeants – to a 'jar' shape that revolves around sergeants first class and master sergeants, while pushing forward the recruitment of long-term service NCOs with a total of 51 specialties in stages.

“This year, we have recruited long-term service NCOs with specialties restricted to drone·UAV operation, cyber·information system operation, and special mission infantry. However, we will expand the applicable specialties after further discussions with the relevant authorities. We will develop skilled combat specialists through a phased personnel structure change that aims to foster the army forces as a community of unbeatable warriors,” said Colonel Jang Hyeong-gap, a manager of the Army Manpower Planning Department. 

By Sang-Yun, Kim < ksy0609@dema.mil.kr >

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