Captain J: Navigating the Language Seas

 They call us “military nurses.” I call it a dual identity. Most people know what a soldier is. Most people know what a nurse does. But when I say I’m a military nurse—a commissioned officer who’s also a licensed nurse—it’s often easier to say I’m both. And I mean fully both. That duality is baked into the job. And perhaps, it’s that very duality that sparked my own desire to explore life beyond the traditional paths. So, how do you become a military nurse? There are two main routes: 1. Officer Training Program (OTS) You graduate from a civilian nursing college, complete military training, and receive a commission. 2. Korea Armed Forces Nursing Academy (KAFNA) You apply during your final year of high school, pass a series of exams (including a rigorous physical and mental screening), complete four intense years of education—including boot camp—and pass the national nursing exam to be commissioned. On paper, Route 1 is shorter. But that doesn’t mean it’s easier. Promotio...

 In the End, Language is Always About People I once read an article about the issue of addressing ranks between officers and non-commissioned officers (NCOs). The core argument was this: During a video conference with NCOs, the Army Chief of Staff made a statement that led to a petition being filed with the Human Rights Commission. His remark was: "If a young officer gives an order to an older NCO in informal speech and is questioned about it, that should not happen in military culture. NCOs should be grateful that officers use honorifics when speaking to them." The context in which this statement was made is unclear, but it sparked controversy. Many, including politicians, defended the Chief of Staff, arguing that in the military, rank takes precedence above all else. Reflecting on my own military experience, most officers I worked with over my six years of service used honorifics when addressing older NCOs. For newly commissioned officers, speaking informally to someone...