Republic of Korea Armed Forces - Personnel

Personnel

See also: Military ranks of South Korea, Comparative military ranks of Korea, and Conscription in South Korea

Military 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.