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Military Discharge Calculator 전역일

Calculate your Korean military discharge date with D-day countdown and service progress tracking for all branches.

ResultArmy (육군) · 18 months

Select your enlistment date and branch, then click Calculate Discharge Date.

How it works

1. Enter Enlistment Date

Select the date you enlisted or will enlist into military service. This is the official start date from your enlistment notice (입영통지서).

Start Date

2. Select Your Branch

Choose your branch of service. Each branch has a different service duration: Army 18mo, Navy 20mo, Air Force 21mo, Marines 18mo, Social Service 21mo.

Branch Selection

3. Track Your Progress

See your exact discharge date, D-day countdown, progress bar, and days served vs remaining. Bookmark the page to check back anytime.

Real-Time Tracking

What is the Korean Military Discharge Calculator?

South Korea maintains a mandatory military conscription system under the Military Service Act (병역법). All male citizens are required to fulfill military service, with the specific branch and duration depending on their assignment. As of 2026, the standard service periods are: Army (육군) and Marine Corps (해병대) at 18 months, Navy (해군) at 20 months, Air Force (공군) at 21 months, and Social Service (사회복무요원) at 21 months. The discharge date is calculated by adding the service period in months to the enlistment date and then subtracting one day. Understanding exactly when service ends is important for personal planning, career preparation, and family coordination.

The military discharge date calculator takes your enlistment date and branch of service as inputs and computes the exact discharge date. It also provides a D-day countdown showing the number of days remaining until discharge, a progress bar indicating what percentage of the service period has been completed, and a breakdown of days served versus days remaining. These metrics are commonly used by servicemembers and their families to track the passage of time during the mandatory service period. The calculation follows the standard Korean military date computation method where the discharge date equals the enlistment date plus the service months minus one day.

Military service is a significant life event for Korean men, typically occurring between ages 18 and 28. The service period affects education plans, career timelines, and personal milestones. Universities hold enrollment spots for students who enlist mid-degree, and employers understand the gap in resumes. Knowing the precise discharge date helps with planning the transition back to civilian life — from re-enrollment deadlines at universities to job application timelines. This calculator provides that critical date along with real-time progress tracking to help servicemembers and their families maintain perspective throughout the service period.

Key Features and Benefits

  • Exact Discharge Date Calculation — Computes the precise discharge date by adding the branch-specific service period to your enlistment date and subtracting one day, following the standard Korean military date calculation convention. The result accounts for varying month lengths and leap years.
  • D-Day Countdown — Displays the number of days remaining until discharge as a clear countdown figure. This D-day number is the most commonly referenced metric among Korean servicemembers and updates in real-time based on the current date.
  • Service Progress Bar — A visual progress indicator showing what percentage of the total service period has been completed. Seeing progress as a percentage provides a different psychological perspective than counting days — especially meaningful as the bar approaches the halfway mark and beyond.
  • Days Served and Remaining — Shows both the number of days already served and the number of days remaining as concrete figures. This dual display gives servicemembers and their families a clear sense of how far they have come and how far they still need to go.
  • All Branch Support — Covers all major service branches — Army (육군), Navy (해군), Air Force (공군), Marine Corps (해병대), and Social Service (사회복무요원) — each with their correct 2026 service duration. Select your branch and the calculator automatically applies the correct period.
  • Offline-Ready Calculation — All date computations run locally in your browser with no server dependency. The calculator works even without an internet connection once the page is loaded, making it accessible from any location including areas with limited connectivity.

How to Calculate Your Military Discharge Date

  1. 1

    Select Your Enlistment Date

    Enter the exact date you enlisted or will enlist into military service. This is the official start date recorded on your enlistment documents (입영통지서). For those who have already enlisted, this date should match your military records. For those planning to enlist, use the date specified on your enlistment notice. The accuracy of the discharge date calculation depends entirely on this input, so verify it against official documentation.

  2. 2

    Choose Your Branch of Service

    Select the military branch you are serving or will serve in. Each branch has a different service duration: Army (육군) serves 18 months, Navy (해군) serves 20 months, Air Force (공군) serves 21 months, Marine Corps (해병대) serves 18 months, and Social Service (사회복무요원) serves 21 months. If you have received your assignment notice (배치통보서), it will specify your branch. Choose the correct branch to ensure an accurate discharge date.

  3. 3

    Review Your Discharge Date

    The calculator displays your computed discharge date, which is your enlistment date plus the service period in months minus one day. For example, if you enlisted in the Army on March 15, 2025, your discharge date would be September 14, 2026 (18 months later minus one day). Note that the actual discharge process may begin a day or two before the official date depending on administrative procedures at your unit.

  4. 4

    Track Your Progress

    If you are currently serving, the calculator shows your D-day countdown, the number of days you have already served, and a visual progress bar. These figures update based on today's date. Bookmark the page to check your progress periodically. The progress percentage provides motivation as it increases, and the days-remaining countdown gives you a concrete number to reference. Share the discharge date with family members so they can plan accordingly.

  5. 5

    Plan Your Post-Service Transition

    Use the discharge date to plan your transition back to civilian life. If you are a university student, check your re-enrollment deadline and ensure your discharge date allows sufficient time for the application process. If you are entering the job market, begin preparing your resume and researching opportunities 2-3 months before discharge. Some companies run recruitment cycles specifically targeting soon-to-be-discharged servicemembers. Knowing your exact date makes it possible to align with these timelines.

Expert Tips for Military Service Planning

The discharge date calculated here follows the standard formula, but there are circumstances that can modify the actual date. Early discharge (조기전역) may be granted in exceptional cases, such as the sole surviving son provision or family hardship situations. Conversely, disciplinary actions or AWOL periods can extend the service requirement. Extended leave (휴가) days, including regular leave, reward leave, and compassionate leave, generally do not affect the discharge date as they are built into the service period. However, unauthorized absences are typically added to the end of service. The calculator assumes a standard service period without modifications.

Choosing your branch wisely can affect your total service time and experience significantly. Army and Marine Corps have the shortest service periods at 18 months but are generally considered the most physically demanding. Navy (20 months) and Air Force (21 months) are longer but offer different training environments and skill development opportunities. Social Service (21 months) is an alternative for those who qualify based on health conditions or other criteria. The three-month difference between the shortest and longest service periods may seem small, but it represents about 90 additional days — a consideration worth weighing against the other factors of each branch.

Many Korean universities have specific deadlines for re-enrollment after military service, typically requiring students to apply for the semester following their discharge. If you are discharged in September, you would generally re-enroll for the second semester (September start). If discharged in February, you would target the first semester (March start). Missing the re-enrollment window by even a few days can force you to wait an additional semester. Calculate your discharge date early in your service and work backward from the university's administrative deadlines to ensure a seamless transition back to your studies.

During military service, take advantage of the self-development programs (자기개발) available at most units. Many bases provide access to online education platforms, language study resources, and certification preparation materials. Using this time to study for professional certifications, improve language skills, or complete distance learning courses means you hit the ground running after discharge rather than starting from zero. Some servicemembers obtain TOEIC scores, computer certifications, or even partial university credits during their service period. The discharge date calculator gives you a clear timeline to structure these self-improvement goals around.

Related Tools

Pension Calculator

Military service periods can be credited toward your national pension calculation under certain conditions

Salary After Tax Calculator

Plan your post-discharge finances by estimating net pay from your first civilian job

BMI Calculator

Track your physical fitness metrics during and after military service

Military service is a defined chapter with a clear beginning and end. The Military Discharge Calculator gives you the exact end date and tracks your progress through the service period. Once you know when you will be discharged, use the Salary After Tax Calculator to plan your post-discharge finances based on expected civilian income. The Pension Calculator helps you understand how your military service period may count toward national pension credits. And the BMI Calculator lets you monitor the physical changes that come with the intensive physical regimen of military training. Each tool addresses a different aspect of the life transition that military service represents.

Frequently Asked Questions

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