Who Was The First BTS Member To Join South Korea’s Mandatory Military Service? Check Their Joining Order

After completing South Korea’s mandatory military service, BTS has officially returned with their new album Arirang and also announced their much-awaited 2026 world tour, creating huge excitement among fans worldwide. In South Korea, most able-bodied men are required to serve in the military for around 18 to 21 months, depending on their role and branch. As BTS resumes group activities, many fans are revisiting the order in which the members enlisted for national duty. Here is a look at who joined first and the order in which the members entered military service.

Which BTS Member First Joined The Military Service? 

Jin was the first member of BTS to begin military service. He officially enlisted on December 13, 2022. As the oldest member of the group, Jin started his service after completing several solo and group activities. 

His enlistment marked the beginning of BTS members temporarily stepping away from music promotions to fulfil their national duties. Jin was discharged from his military duty on June 12, 2024.

Jhope Joined Military After Jin

The second BTS member to enlist was J-Hope. He entered military service on April 18, 2023. Before joining, the rapper and dancer released solo music and attended important public events. Fans emotionally bid farewell as he became the second member to pause entertainment activities for military duty. Jhope was discharged from the military on October 17, 2024.

BTS members in Army uniform (Image: Facebook/@BTS official) 

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Suga Opted For Alternative Service Due To Shoulder Surgery

Suga began his mandatory duty on September 22, 2023. Due to previous shoulder surgery and health concerns, he reportedly served through an alternative public service role, a social service agent, instead of active military training. He was discharged from his service on June 21, 2025.

 RM, V, Jimin And Jungkook Enlisted Together For Military Service 

In December 2023, four BTS members entered military service around the same period. RM and V enlisted first, followed by Jimin and Jungkook. Their enlistments brought all active BTS members into military service together for the first time. RM and V were discharged from military service on June 10, 2025, while Jimin and Jungkook were discharged on June 11, 2025.

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Full BTS military enlistment order

The official enlistment order of BTS members is: Jin, J-Hope, Suga, RM, V, Jimin, and Jungkook. Here we have made a table to check their joining order easily.

Fans continue to support the group while waiting for their complete reunion after military service ends. BTS is expected to resume full group activities once every member completes national duty successfully together in coming years ahead.