Army Increases Volunteer Rate to 50 Percent.

The system to choose special talented soldiers, who have received specialization from society and let them work in their favorite field after joining army, will be united in Military Manpower Office (MMO) from 2004.

Thereby, the number of volunteers, which is currently only 14 percent of recruits, will increase rapidly from 2004 and the rate will be expanded to half of total recruits in 2005.

According to MMO on the 19th, MMO agreed on unification of the army and selecting jobs for the volunteers as it increases satisfaction of public service in soldiers and it can reduce the budget expenditure as well as manpower following execution for double job selection.

MMO official said, "scattered job selection for volunteers in each army will be united step by step so that rate of volunteer can be 50 percent." and, "if the rate of volunteers rises obligators in military service can choose the field of army and the time for public service themselves and can utilize their skill professionally which they received in society."

He added, " first of all, selecting jobs for talented soldiers in army should be settled and we plan to expand this to navy and air force."

MMO decided to use e-mails, mobile or SMS for announcing selection plan for volunteers and constructed management database of military register that contains e-mail address and mobile no of 200,000~300,000 of subjects for enrolment.

On the other hand, army is selecting currently talented soldiers in 105 fields, such as repairing firearms and driving heavy equipment among total of 237 main talents.

esprit@donga.com