Ministry of National Defense Republic of Korea

Expansion of the rank system from four to five classes

The Ministry of National Defense(MND) has newly established “Sergeant Major” as the highest noncom rank and expanded the noncom rank from four to five classes.

On February 3, the MND gave a notice of re-legislation of the legislative bill, the partially revised military personnel management act. According to this notice, the existing four-rank system, Corporal→Sergeant→First Sergeant→Master Sergeant, would be changed to a five-rank system, Corporal→Sergeant→First Sergeant→Master Sergeant→Sergeant Major.

The retirement age of this newly-established Sergeant Major is 57 and only a six-year experienced Master Sergeant can be promoted. Age limits for other ranks are 40 for Corporal, 45 for Sergeant, 53 for First Sergeant and 55 for Master Sergeant.

The MND gave notice of the revised version of the military personnel management act that defines the highest rank of noncom as “Hyeonsa” last year. And defense ministry spokesman Kim Min-Seok explained at a regular briefing, “There is much opposition to this word for use in the military. We agreed to use ‘Sergeant Major.’”

The MND expects this rank system will be introduced next year after the partially revised legislative bill goes through the Legislation and Judiciary Committee around the middle of this year and is approved by the President after passing the Cabinet meeting.

By Chul-Hwan, Kim <droid001@dema.mil.kr>

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