BTS V aka Kim Taehyung, has been recognized for his outstanding performance during mandatory military service, receiving the Military Police Excellence Award and achieving top rankings in training drills despite battling injuries. A fellow soldier shared heartfelt details about V’s dedication, leadership, and generosity, sparking admiration from fans and netizens alike.
On April 19, a soldier who served alongside V in the Special Duty Team (SDT) under the 2nd Military Police Corps posted a lengthy tribute on Instagram, praising V’s resilience and kindness. The soldier revealed that despite suffering from shoulder and thigh injuries, V secured first place in target shooting with perfect scores, excelled in winter urban combat training, and earned the prestigious Military Police Excellence Award for his unwavering spirit .
“Even though his shoulders, thighs, and overall physical condition weren’t great, he still got first place in shooting as a perfect marksman, first place in winter urban combat training and shooting, and even received a model military police award while pushing through injuries. Watching him, I was truly inspired.”
The soldier also described a memorable moment during their final 3km fitness test, where V encouraged him to push beyond the elite standard.
“Running that 3km side by side, both of us trying so hard to achieve the elite level—pushing each other, cheering each other on, and finishing way ahead of the standard—that was such a memorable, almost romantic moment. I think it’ll stay with me for a long time.”
Beyond his physical achievements, V was celebrated for his thoughtful contributions to his unit. He donated workout equipment to improve training conditions and frequently treated fellow soldiers to meals, including eel sushi, during off-base outings. His actions earned him the nickname “problem-solver type of hyung” among peers .
“You always bought us all the food we wanted when we got to leave the base or visit the PX. Thank you for doing that. I still can’t forget about the eel sushi. It was delicious.”
The soldier added that V’s work ethic inspired him to pursue a career as a rehabilitation therapist, vowing to emulate V’s perseverance.
“Even after I was discharged, the passion that I learned to nurture in the military stayed with me and made me want to pursue my goal wholeheartedly. I really enjoyed my time in the unit because of you, hyung. I won’t give up; I’ll keep on trying, just like you.”
Fans and netizens flooded social media with praise for V’s character. One fan wrote,
“Taehyung was truly born to be loved! He is a beautiful person with an even more beautiful heart.”
Another added,
“He received the Triple Crown—top shooter, Military Police Exemplary Award, and Top Trainee honors. Everyone who served with him shares good stories. He’s cool inside and out.”
V enlisted in December 2023 alongside BTS leader RM and is set to be discharged on June 10, 2025. During his service, he also earned Top Trainee honors in basic training and was promoted to sergeant in February 2025 . Despite his military commitments, V remained active in music, releasing collaborations like “Fri(end)s”, “Winter Ahead” with Park Hyo-shin, and a remix of “White Christmas” with Bing Crosby’s vocals, all charting globally .
