The ROTC at Kyonggi University is consistently high in the overall rankings. Therefore, the Pharos wants to introduce the organization and describe what it dose to freshmen. Also, let’s learn more about the life of ROTC members through a military cadet interview.

The ROTC, which stands for Reserve Officers Training Corps, selects the best candidates among 113 university students nationwide and provides military education for two years to train officers with military knowledge as well as information relevant to college majors. Applicants must be from 20 to 27 years of age and have completed 1 to 2 years of a 4-year college program or 2 to 3 years of a 5-year program. The recruitment period occurs once a year in March, and applications can be submitted at www.armyofficer.mil.kr.

An Interview with the Dean of the ROTC

Hello, I’m Colonel Han Sang-hoon, head of the ROTC at Kyonggi University. Our ROTC district was founded in January 1971, has so far produced 2,371 officers, and is still training about 100 candidates.

At the center of national defense, the Army is focusing all of its capabilities on actively dealing with various types of provocations, including the North’s regional development, and preparing for all-out war. Also, it focuses on fostering elite forces that can win any ground warfare engagement in a short period of time.

Among the elite forces, the platoon leader, who leads a group of soldiers that represents the military’s spear-point combat capability, is the leader in the armed forces that should be made the sharpest and strongest. Therefore, the Korean Academic Corps is focusing its capabilities on fostering platoon leaders with a strong sense of responsibility and consideration for others as a leader, and aiming to foster an elite first-class officer with the right values, knowledge and quality. The members of the 122nd Student Military Education Team will strive to become strong and confident first class officers with sound values, healthy stamina and passion as the young leaders who will protect the future of our country. Thank you.

An interview with a Cadet

Please introduce yourself.

Hello, I’m Noh Seok-ho, the 59th cadet of Kyonggi University’s ROTC

What was your motivation for applying to the ROTC?

When I was young, I admired my uncle, cousin, and others, who were military officers in my family, and I thought that I should apply for the ROTC when I went to college. Also, I applied to serve in the military as an officer because I have always had affection for and been loyal to my country.

What are the merits of our ROTC district?

If I think about the advantages that I feel and experience, first of all, I can definitely develop leadership skills. I’m not afraid to stand in front of a lot of people, and that's how much confidence you develop, so you’re better at leading an organization. Also, as I am always aware that I am a candidate to become an officer, I think I can make a lot of progress in many ways by working harder on self-management and self-improvement.

The selection process of the ROTC consists of various stages, including document submission, writing, physical strength tests, and interviews. We have time to prepare for each step, so we prepared in a step-by-step way. I remember that the ROTC applicants at Kyonggi University were told that unlike at other ROTC districts, this one was very competitive, so I bought a book of questions to prepare for the written tests when I entered the university. I prepared a little bit from the moment I submitted the application document because it’s not easy to get better in as short time. Maintaining a strong view of the value of the state and security was the most important part of the interview.

When I had a military class, I went in an ROTC uniform, and one day an old man approached me. After talking with me about his participation in the Vietnam War, I said, “Thank you. Thanks to you, I’m confident.” After talking to the war veteran, I was more confident about the path I had chosen, and this gave me the momentum to keep my self-esteem, and sense of responsibility and the motivation to do my best in my candidate life.

Future resolutions

Now, as a fourth-year student, I will train myself well in many ways to become a model for juniors at Kyonggi University. In addition, I will prepare well to become a strong platoon leader and a competent officer with more than a year’s worth of self-care and self-improvement.

The Pharos hopes this article will help students who are considering applying to the ROTC. We thank the candidate students who perform the honorable duties of protecting the country and all soldiers who protect the Republic of Korea.

74th Cub Reporter•KIM GANGTAEK• rkdxor753@naver.com

74th Cub Reporter•LEE JOOHAENG• silkyshine@naver.com