Korean Military Service: 2025 Discharge Date Guide
South Korea requires all male citizens to serve in the military. Here's a summary of service periods by branch:
Service Periods by Branch (2025)
| Branch | Duration | Notes |
|---|
| Army | 18 months | Most common |
|---|---|---|
| Navy | 20 months | Includes ship duty |
| Air Force | 21 months | Includes technical training |
| Marines | 18 months | Same as Army |
| Social Service | 21 months | Alternative service |
How to Calculate Discharge Date
The discharge date is the day before the date obtained by adding the service period to the enlistment date.
Example: Enlisted March 10, 2025 (Army, 18 months)Pre-enlistment Checklist
Use our military discharge calculator for your exact date.