Cram schools for would-be military cadets booming
Tight job market makes soldiers a popular job
By Kim Hyo-jin
Min Chae-won, 25, has studied at a cram school for the past three months in preparation to take an exam to become a Navy officer.
She has paid about 1 million won ($856) for various courses.
“It would be difficult to prepare for the test on my own,” Min told The Korea Times. “The cram school provides tips on how to get the job and useful background information about serving in the military. It even helps me check all questions from the previous tests, which are not accessible outside this school.”
Min is just one of thousands of would-be military cadets relying on cram schools to help them make their dreams a reality. And these schools are already sprawling businesses as more young people are seeking to become soldiers amid a tight job market.
“I believe my choice is worthwhile because I can avoid trial and error in preparing for the exam,” she said.
The competition to become interpretation officers and information security officers is especially high, according to sources.
The odds of getting into the Officer Candidate School (OCS) of the Navy and Air Force, especially for females, are long.
The entrance exam for the OCS is comprised of Korean history, English and a Military Aptitude Test (MAT). A physical fitness assessment and interview await applicants who pass the first round of multiple-choice tests.
It is said among applicants that getting a high score in the situational judgment section of the MAT is critical. Private academies ease their students into learning patterns of questions, touting it guarantees a competitive edge.
According to an expert, the number of academies specializing in the military officer test doubled from five to 10 within a year in Noryangjin, a district known for streets filled with private institutions.
“The industry is responding to the demand,” said Yang Min-soon, head of the Noryangjin Military Officer Academy and ex-director of the military affairs department at Sunlin University.
Large institutions specializing in public servant exams are also rushing to open military-relevant classes this year, he said.
“Having a career of military officer gives you extra points when you apply for major companies,” Yang said, adding he has many students of prestigious universities who seek the post for that reason.
“If you choose to remain in the military after serving three years, then you will have a secure job with public official status.”
Also, about 10 academies for interpretation officer and information security officer have emerged throughout Seoul this year. Rising concern of the hopefuls in the face of a high competition rate drives them to enroll in the class, officer hopefuls say.
“Me and my friends without hesitation decided to prepare for the exam by taking a specialized class,” said a student, 22, of Yonsei University who is preparing to take the officer exam.
“Due to harsh competition, I saw many of those who even studied in overseas countries didn’t make it to the final. I certainly wouldn’t want to risk failing the exam, not doing things I could.”