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...
Former nurse officer turned Korean–English interpreter, a curious spirit always chasing diverse experiences