Female Military Veterinary Officer Born After 5 Years

[Asia Economy Yang Nak-gyu, Military Specialist Reporter] A female military veterinary officer has been commissioned for the first time in five years. The protagonist is Lieutenant Kim Ji-hye of the Army, commissioned as the 19th class veterinary officer (photo).

According to the Armed Forces Medical School on the 22nd, the commissioning ceremony for the 52nd class medical officers and the 19th class veterinary officers was held at the Student Military School in Goesan, Chungbuk. At the ceremony, a total of 733 new medical officers were commissioned, including 696 medical officers and 37 veterinary officers, including Lieutenant Kim. Medical officers, known as military doctors, treat soldiers at frontline units and military hospitals, while veterinary officers perform duties such as managing military dogs and other military animals, food inspection, and quarantine.

Lieutenant Kim began nurturing her dream of becoming a veterinary officer by participating in the veterinary branch camp hosted by the Armed Forces Medical School in 2018. She stated, "As a woman, a veterinarian, and a military officer, I will harmoniously cultivate the strengths of each identity and serve the country and the people with my utmost dedication."

Among the commissioned medical officers, 205 participated in the "COVID-19 Pan-government Medical Support" from March 12 for about a month, performing duties at nationwide intensive care hospitals and the Central Accident Response Headquarters. Among the new officers, Captain Jeon Se-bin (medical) and Lieutenant Kim Ji-hye (veterinary) of the Army received the Minister of National Defense Award, while Captain Choi Seong-su (medical) and Lieutenant Lee Jeong-mo (veterinary) received the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Award.

Commissioned officers with diverse backgrounds also stood out. Lieutenant Kim Dong-jun of the Army became part of a "three-generation military medical officer" family, as his maternal grandfather and father served as military doctors specializing in surgery and neurology, respectively.

Captain Lee Jeong-hwan was initially disqualified for active duty during last year's physical examination but lost 20 kg to enlist and eventually served as an officer.

Captain Ahn Hyun-jun of the Navy is from a family of national veterans, with his grandfather having participated in the Korean War and received the Hwarang Military Merit Medal. He was selected after applying to the 38th Cheonghae Unit, a dispatch unit to the Gulf of Aden.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.