CWNU will select the first female Reserve Officers' Training Corps (ROTC) next year. The ROTC selects excellent university students, gives them basic military training, and commissions them to officer rank when the students graduate. At this time, ROTC is in only 109 universities, and only 5 universities in Gyeongsangnam-do. CWNU is one of them.

A Female ROTC had been discussed since 1991, but had not been permitted for various reasons, until it was initiated in 2010. One reason it has been introduced is that the number of male applicants for officer status has gradually decreased. Furthermore, by 2021, people eligible for the military will also have decreased due to the decrease in the birth-rate.

The ROTC test consists of 3 steps. First, applicants have to submit a written examination and personality test. They must also submit their school grades. The second step is a physical check-up, interview, and an examination of physical strength—for example, long-distance running, sit-ups, and push-ups. Finally, after checking the applicants’ identities, they are selected by total score.

If you pass the test for ROTC, you can get a lot of support. You can receive incentives, maintenance expenses and scholarships. You can also be provided with a dormitory room, and opportunities for an Overseas Cultural Tour.

For girls, the written examination and examination of physical strength are difficult. Many female applicants drop out during these tests. Therefore, CWNU has opened an after-school class for Female ROTC applicants.

This class is only for female freshmen students. Only sophomore students can take the test, and the test is in April 2012. The training period will be about 3 months, and the students provide all expenses in this class. They learn not only interview and written examination skills, but also improve their physical strength every day, since the examination of physical strength is the most important part of the ROTC test, as well as of ROTC life.

Currently, there are about ten freshmen girls in this class. They want to pass these three tests, and be good officers. One student said, “I will do my best in study and physical training. I want to achieve my dream. I must be a wonderful soldier.”

The teacher in charge of discipline, who is from 165ROTC at CWNU, said, “I recommend that girls who want to be in the ROTC attend this class. Female ROTC is a start-up program, so there is not much information. So it feels difficult to prepare for it. We can help you. You will meet seniors and classmates. You can stop at any time if you feel tired or ROTC isn’t fit for you. If you have any further questions, please visit http://portal.changwon.ac.kr/home/rotc-165.”

Kim E-seul  seul_09@changwon.ac.kr

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