BTS members RM and V graduate from basic military training in South Korea as ‘elite trainees’
The duo, who enlisted last December, were among a handful of trainees who received the award and they’ve earned the rank of private.
BTS members V (left) and RM in military uniform. (Photo: Instagram/rkive)
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Members of K-pop supergroup BTS RM and V have completed their basic military training in South Korea – and they’ve certainly done so in style, graduating as “elite trainees” under the 27th Recruit Training Regiment.
RM, whose real name is Kim Nam-joon, took to Instagram on Tuesday (Jan 16) to share photos of himself and fellow BTS member V, whose real name is Kim Tae-hyung, in their military uniforms. With the caption “Loyalty”, the post also included a picture the award he received.
The honour was only given to six out of 200 trainees for displaying exemplary skills during the five-week training period. The duo enlisted in the military on Dec 11 last year.
According to news agency Yonhap, RM and V’s training comprised basic combat and defense skills at the Korea Army Training Centre in Nonsan, located south of Seoul.
The two have earned the rank of private – and as elite trainees, they were rewarded vacation days.
During his speech at the award ceremony, the 29-year-old RM shared: “I had postponed my military enlistment for a long time, and entering the military at a relatively older age made me feel anxious and worried about many things,” adding that most of his fellow trainees were about 10 years younger than him.
He concluded his speech, saying: “While it would be ideal for everyone not to need to learn marksmanship, the peace enjoyed by South Korea for over 70 years is built upon the noble sacrifices and dedicated efforts of many. I will carry out my duties with the awareness of this foundation."
While RM is set to be stationed at his new unit this week, V has got three more weeks of training as he chose to join the Special Duty Team (SDT) of the Korean Army’s Capital Defense Command. The SDT is an elite counter-terrorism unit known for its rigorous training. The 28-year-old will have to undergo training at the Army General Administration School from Jan 18 to Feb 8 before transferring to the SDT.
As all seven members of BTS are currently serving South Korea’s mandatory military service, the group is on a temporary break. They are all expected to complete their service and reunite by 2025.
