"Today's Navy Begins Here"... Naval Education Command Holds 80th Anniversary Ceremony

Starting Out as the Recruit Training Center on February 15, 1946

Starting out as the Recruit Training Center on February 15, 1946, the Naval Education Command (hereinafter referred to as the "Naval Education Command"), which for the past 80 years has served as the starting point of the Navy and the cradle of elite personnel development, held a ceremony on the 11th at the Comprehensive Education Hall to commemorate the founding of the unit. The event was presided over by Commander Kang Jungho (Vice Admiral), ahead of the 80th anniversary of its establishment on the upcoming 15th.

Commemorating the 80th anniversary of the founding of the Naval Education and Training Command.

Attending the event were former commanders of the Naval Education Command, including Park Kwangyong, Han Sangki, Kim Jeongdu, Kim Pangyu, Lee Beomrim, and Lee Seongryeol, as well as former heads of the Basic Military Training Group, including Lee Byeongnok and Lee Mingu. Representatives from more than 10 institutions and organizations, including the Agency for Defense Development and the Gyeongnam Regional Military Manpower Administration, were also present to celebrate the 80th anniversary of the establishment of the Naval Education Command.

Admiral Park Kwangyong, the 6th commander of the Naval Education Command, said in his congratulatory address, "I extend my deepest respect to all the instructors and service members who have served, are serving, and will serve at the Naval Education Command in the past, present, and future for their dedicated service," adding, "I ask that you set educational goals and directions that meet the demands of this rapidly changing era and make this place a central hub of naval education that looks ahead to the next 100 years."

The subsequent 80th-anniversary promotional video of the Naval Education Command showcased its development from the establishment of the Liberation Corps on November 11, 1945, through the pioneering phase of naval personnel development, the phase of building the foundation for personnel training, the leap phase in elite personnel development, the innovation phase in elite personnel development, and the smart leap phase in elite personnel development up to the present day.

In his congratulatory message, President Lee Jaemyung said, "Established in 1946, the Naval Education Command is where the great traditions of the ever-victorious Navy began and a cradle that laid the cornerstone for a blue-water navy," adding, "Today, the Naval Education Command is doing its utmost to cultivate warriors who are not only physically strong but also mentally resilient by creating an education environment centered on future science and technology and through initiatives such as the RESPECT campaign. I ask you to faithfully carry out your mission of fostering elite service members with the mindset that every drop of sweat shed by the Education Command enhances the Navy's combat power."

The congratulatory video messages sent from various sectors at home and abroad deeply moved the audience and received enthusiastic applause. Congratulatory messages were delivered by university presidents who have exchange agreements with the Naval Education Command, including Hanyang University, Chungnam National University, Seoul Cyber University, Changwon National University, and Sejong University; Lee Gukjong, Director of the Armed Forces Daejeon Hospital; mountaineer Um Honggil; Choo Gayul, Chairman of the Korea Music Copyright Association; magician Lee Eungyeol; singers Kim Heejae and Nam Seungmin, who all served in the Navy; as well as Air Force Education and Training Command Commander Kwon Youngmin; U.S. Naval Education Command Commander Greg Huffman; U.S. Navy Recruiting Command Commander Jim Waters; and girl groups Latency and Lessen.

In particular, singer Kim Heejae, who previously served in the Navy Band, said, "I hope you will come to the Navy, which protects the Republic of Korea at sea and where you can realize your dreams," as he congratulated the Naval Education Command on its 80th anniversary.

Commander of the Naval Education Command Kang Jungho (Vice Admiral) said in his address, "Over the past 80 years, countless service members trained here have taken part in battles such as the Battle of Korea Strait, the Tongyeong Landing Operation, the Battle of Yeonpyeong, and the Battle of Daecheong, steadfastly defending our seas. Eighty years of education have made today's Navy," adding, "Let us use the educational traditions built over the past 80 years as our compass and work together to prepare the future of our ever-victorious Navy so that the Republic of Korea Navy can continue to sail forward vigorously for the next 100 years."

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