Book list

In the military service, the daily routine is strictly regulated, including waking up at 6:30 AM, going to bed at 10:00 PM, and designated meal times. Among them, the designated free time is from 5:30 PM to 9:00 PM. 

'I pondered a lot on how to make the most of the scheduled time and free time.'

I established a habit of exercising. The military service provides suitable facilities and an environment for physical activities. I exercised every morning and afternoon. Dividing my workouts into different muscle groups such as chest, back, and legs, with one day of rest each week for autonomous workouts. I also paid attention to proper nutrition, enjoying good meals (thanks to the grateful cooks) and consuming protein supplements. As a result, I achieved a skeletal muscle mass of around 40% and reduced my weight from 89 to 83, while accomplishing a personal record of completing a 3km run in 12 minutes. It feels like my greatest achievement!

Fortunately, when I became a corporal, I was appointed as the squad commander of my unit and served in that role for six months. It was quite different from the relationships I had as a superior, peer, or inferior. 

As a squad commander, I managed my team and focused on achieving our mission objectives. I had many episodes and experiences, such as understanding how to accomplish goals, and also checking on the well-being of my team members outside of duty hours. It was a valuable and rewarding experience.

Here's an episode I'd like to share:

Situation: Due to heavy snowfall in February, we encountered problems in carrying out our mission. It was a project involving the management and maintenance of our K-9 Thunder. We needed to find new solutions.

In any team, things don't always go smoothly. As a squad commander in my second month, I had a significant difference of opinion with one of my immediate subordinates on a critical matter. It was a matter of importance, and I found it difficult to trust my team member, even though they had their own expertise.

During this time, I learned what it truly means to be a team leader and realized the importance of trusting the abilities of my team members. Ultimately, by blending my own perspective with the opinions of my team, I successfully led the project to a fruitful outcome.