What advice would you give someone prior to going to their first duty station?

2023-02-06T17:36:19-05:00

As of today, I have my official orders to report to Camp Humphreys for my first duty station after graduating from Fort Eustis. Graduation is a few weeks away in March, but I don't have a worry that I'll fail. As a lowly little private, I'm not sure what to expect from my first duty station in Korea and was wondering what tips I should put in my tool belt. I'm currently training to be a 15T UH-60 Helicopter Repairer. Any advice would be much appreciated.

Response by COL Randall C. made Feb 6 at 2023 6:08 PM

2023-02-06T18:08:59-05:00

Two things - Keep an open mind and learn a lot of patience! Enjoy the experience - Korea can be a fantastic experience - just try to avoid turning into a barracks rat (i.e., spending all your time on base). You're probably going to a country and experience a culture you've never visited or have been exposed to before.

Things that are going to become second nature to you will be very new and confusing right now. There's the right way, the wrong way and the Army way is something you'll likely hear, if you haven't already. Each unit you go to will have their own way of doing things ... learn what they are sooner than later.

As a private, you'll be told to what to do a lot more than be asked what you want to do. That open mind and patience come into being. Learn, learn, learn, learn!

Most leaders in the military treat a new Soldier "according to his rank". That is, you're a private, so most leaders will assume you don't know a lot and will need to be told what to do, and in many cases, how to do it. Expect that, embrace it and show your leaders that you take your responsibilities seriously and are committed to the job/mission.

Be proactive, but not a 'butt-kisser'. Show initiative in getting the job done and if there is something that gets in the way of that, try to see how it can be accomplished a different way or bring the impediment up to your leadership as soon possible. Trust me - even if you don't plan on being a rock star and going "110%" all the time, establishing your reputation as a dependable Soldier early will go a LONG way in making your life better while there.

Some general comments about heading to Korea:
• Read the policies and regulations of USFK* and your unit.
• Make sure you contact your sponsor if they assign you one.
• You'll likely head to Korea on the Patriot Express and land at Osan air base*
• Make an effort to learn the language while there. You can easily excel if you put your mind to it, and if you use Headstart2, you can rack up 16 promotion points!
• Ditto on the Korean culture. USFK and 8th Army offer many different cultural outreach programs - check them out!

Above all, and this is critically important, enjoy yourself! I've seen Soldier that come in with an attitude of "I wish I was back in Texas .. this place sucks". They had a really lousy experience while there (to put it mildly). Find another battle buddy while there that wants to enjoy the culture as well and team-up!
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* USFK Policies/Regulations/Etc - https://www.usfk.mil/Resources/#2
* 8th Army Blue Book - https://8tharmy.korea.army.mil/site/assets/doc/resource/8A-Blue-Book.pdf
* USFK Cultural Welcome Brief - https://www.usfk.mil/Portals/105/Documents/Cultural%20Awareness%20Training%20v3.pdf
* DVIDS story - https://www.dvidshub.net/news/323202/usfk-members-receive-korean-cultural-experience
* Arrival in Korea - https://www.2id.korea.army.mil/Newcomers/Arrival/

USFK Resources

Response by Maj Wayne Crist made Feb 6 at 2023 8:14 PM

2023-02-06T20:14:22-05:00

Korea is a GREAT assignment! Everything Col Cudworth is correct. I spent 13.5 months there and more TDY time that all together exceeded the 13.5 months. Travel - get away from the post, as it is a different world. What I liked about oversees assignments is that the units are tighter. It makes learning faster. Take advantage of every cultural outreach program. The Korean people are friendly and generally enjoy foreigners. Remember you are a guest in their country treat it and the people with respect. Take the time to learn the cultural and a little history and some of the language. On the practical side - when you try a food you are unfamiliar with decide if you like before you ask what it is. Even then you may only want to know its name. Also it the Food has red flakes in it it is HOT. If you do get something to hot eat rice not any liquid as that just makes it worse. Have a great first assignment!

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 7 at 2023 7:43 AM

2023-02-07T07:43:07-05:00

As an AIT instructor I got this all the time. I'm sure you are going to be nervous but try to remember that everyone has had a first duty station and everyone there will be as helpful as possible because everyone there knows the feeling of going to another country for the first time so most soldiers will be empathetic. When you get there people will try to hold your hand through your inprocessing and your daily duties should be clear. No one wants to see you fail. There is so much to do in Korea so go experience it, just don't do anything that can get you in trouble. Again, the things that can get you in trouble will be stated clearly. You're going to have a great time and I hope this experience gives you the bug to continue to travel because there is alot to see out there and the Army can help you see it. Good luck.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 7 at 2023 7:55 PM

2023-02-07T19:55:13-05:00

A good place to be stationed, Korea.
I was there for 13 months and 10 days on the DMZ, and enjoyed it all. Get to know the people and culture, and you'll enjoy it too.
If you meet any bad attituded GI's there, than it's just that, a bad attitude. Don't hang around those, be with the proud, and willing to learn, professional solders, you'll go far in your career.

The cold is very cold in Korea, but you'll survive with your equipment that you are given, even for me, a tropical island boy.

Response by SPC Gary C. made Feb 8 at 2023 6:28 AM

2023-02-08T06:28:17-05:00

I didn't get the chance to serve in Korea, but I did two years in Germany (80-82) so somethings will work for you.
Germany was my first duty station too, watch out for guys that will try to take advantage of you because you are a newbie, or as they say there a turtle.
Don't go in debt.
IDK if you are a drinker, but watch out for the Korean hard stuff.
It used to be there would be "House boys" that would clean your AO, wash and iron your uniforms, shine your boots (but I guess anymore just clean them). You had no choice if you wanted them or not, you paid them once a month, you'll be taught about them.
You might hear the term "Moose" it's a girl you can hook up for your year, like a year long girlfriend.
You will get the basic knowledge in AIT, when you get to your unit you will get the real stuff that you should know, listen to the guys & NCO's that have been there and in your MOS for a while, they will tell you what works and what doesn't. Basic & AIT will teach you what the Army would be like if it was prefect, your unit will teach you what the Army is really like. Somethings you learn in training will work in a real unit, some won't.
Don't be a guy that says "Well I was taught in AIT"
Keep your mouth shut and your eyes & ears open.
Like the others have said, don't be a barracks rat, your time in the Army overseas just might be the only time that you'll be able to live in another country.
Get somethings for your family, I got my Mom & Dad a black forest cuckoo clock. They had it for about 20 years before it wore out.
There are two kinds of Armies, the oversea one and the stateside one.
Like I said I did two years in Germany, what I've said about Korea I was told about from friends that has served there. I hope this helped you some.
Good luck & have fun.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 17 at 2023 3:43 PM

2023-02-17T15:43:08-05:00

Fellow 15T here and I just got back from Korea in May. It was not my first duty station, nor my first trip overseas, but it was still a unique experience. As previously advised, don't stay in the barracks. Get out and experience the culture and the food. The food is AMAZING! Make sure to stay informed of what your BOSS program is doing, they provide a lot of opportunities and trips there. You're going to have the chance to experience things other people only dream about, courtesy of the Army. Enjoy it! You should be able to make friends quickly within the unit and they will be able to show you the ropes of using public transportation and getting around. That said, choose who you go out with and spend time with wisely. Korea is an incredibly easy place to get into trouble, you will have plenty of influence to make bad decisions. Don't start your career off on a bad note by getting drawn into that...I saw it happen far too many times. Depending on the severity of that bad decision, you could find yourself stuck in Korea for much longer than you had intended. Finally, as a brand new Tango, show up motivated and eager to learn. Stay engaged in maintenance, learn your job, be on time, do the right thing and you will be noticed and excel quickly. Don't count yourself just a "lowly Private". I was tasked with assistant lead on a PMI as a lowly Private and given a Sikorsky award long before I'd met the maintenance hours required. I've also given Privates the team lead position in my squad over a Sr Specialist simply because they showed me more maturity, integrity, motivation, and capability than the Specialist. You'll run into a lot of bad habits and bad attitudes, stick with the ones who are always engaged and working. Avoid the ones who are always sitting in the smoke pit trying to hide from work and complaining about how bad everything is. Good luck!

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 12 at 2023 6:45 PM

2023-06-12T18:45:14-04:00

As a fellow 15T who just returned from Korea, all I can say is make the most of it. Don't pay attention to any of the rumors, especially about Camp Humphreys 2CAB. You're either not going to do much of anything, or you're going to be VERY busy. Aviation is like that. Korea is beautiful though, if you can get away from the villa near the gate and get to see more of what Korea is really like than you'll probably love it. Unfortunately I think that aviation makes the worst NCO's, so the culture could be a little toxic. Change is slow. Dont take anything to heart and gain as many skills as you can. Every team is different. so I hope you find yourself in a team that wants to develop you. Best of luck!

p.s. Download the Papago app, way more reliable than google translate. The Korean people are wonderful as long as you give them respect.