ROTC is an abbreviation for the Reserve Officers Training Corps. They are university students who begin preliminary officer training while going to university. The ROTC period is 3-4 years. During this time they learn about the military and about being an officer. The “Gazette” interviewed Jung Jin-hae, a ROTC battalion commander. Let's explore the aspects that seems to differ from us!

1. You became a ROTC member despite high competition. Why did you apply to the ROTC?
When I saw ROTC members in my freshman days, I envied their different and moderate university lifestyle. When I was a sophomore, some seniors who saw my behavior and way of speaking said to me seriously, “Rather than join the army, you had better join the ROTC. It's really suitable for you.” So, I applied to join the ROTC. I also thought that it could be a shortcut to success.

2. As a preliminary officer, your life is different from general university student life. What are the ROTC rules?
When we walk around the campus, we shouldn't look at the ground or bend our bodies. We must always walk with a martial stride. We must always wear an ironed uniform and our shoes must be glossed. Our hair style has to be a crew cut and we must not shake our attaché “007” bag. When we see seniors, we must salute them. And we should sit with our feet together.

3. Are there any difficulties with ROTC life?
It is hard to keep a strict schedule and comply with the military regulations in liberal university life. I want to go backpacking or study abroad in my vacations, but I have to do basic military training. I cannot afford to have my own time. Also, I'm short of sleep.

4. What do you think are the merits of the ROTC?
The term of military service of other officer programs is three to ten years, but an ROTC officer's term of military service is 2 years and 4 months. So, we can complete our duty of national defense faster than other officers. We can go to university while in the military service. We can also make the best use of a tight schedule, because we always live up to our schedule.

5. Would you tell us about your most interesting experience as a ROTC member?
We should walk and look straight ahead. When I was a first year ROTC member, I wasn't used to looking straight ahead. I missed my footing on the stairs. I felt ashamed and I stood up immediately and pretended nothing happened.
In a theater box office, a clerk asked me which seat I wanted, but I didn't hear her exactly. So I said, “I don't know!” with a military man's way of speaking instead of “pardon?” because I'm used to military words. People smiled around me and my face turned red.
One day, when I had an obsession about raising my hand to salute my seniors, Jang-guni, an insane person who sometimes mumbles to himself and acts strange to students, raised his hand to salute me. I raise my hand in a salute too. I thought that he was my senior.

6. Would you say something to the “Keimyung Gazette” as a battalion commander?
ROTC members chose a hard way and we are concerned about our nation. I hope that students treat us equally like other students, and do not look upon us with discrimination. And I hope that students have a good image of us.