| RoK Marines are voluntary. No one can force you into the Marine Corps service. This CAN happen with the other branches if they decide one branch is short of people and not enough people signed up for it, though you get to pick.
So yes it seems a bit strange to call them "volunteer" when everyone has to go someplace and picks where to go.
RoK Army standards are pretty decent. RoK Marine standards are very high. I hear that initial selection standards aren't as high, but once you're in, then the "fun" really begins. Basically it's the belief that they can grab a dude who's volunteered and turn him into a fighting machine even if he first enters with not so good standards.
Not so good standards means at least 60 pushups and situps (in 2 minutes), a decent education background (high school or higher), good discipline record (no criminal stuff) etc.
The Marines being voluntary also means that you can get cut for not being good enough." The other services have to take you unless you are so unfit that you cannot serve in the military at all.
And no, I'm not going officer. I missed out on that ages ago due to having rarely lived in Korea. |