How is it being stationed in Korea, and if you had a spouse were they able to go with you?

PVT Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 09 Dec 2015 15:45:21 -0500

Response by PV2 Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 9 at 2015 3:52 PM

PV2 Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 09 Dec 2015 15:52:29 -0500

I heard it is very good.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 9 at 2015 3:57 PM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 09 Dec 2015 15:57:37 -0500

I've never been there, but I have known many that have. Korea is a 1 year hardship tour. Families are generally not allowed to accompany you unless you get command sponsored authorization.

Response by SSG Todd Halverson made Dec 9 at 2015 4:27 PM

SSG Todd Halverson — Wed, 09 Dec 2015 16:27:45 -0500

Actually families are now encouraged to go with and you should be able to get Command Sponsorship very easily. I was in Korea in 2009 and they were just starting to open up areas to family members. Check with your PLT SGT , 1SG, S-1 to see what the process is.

Response by PO2 Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 9 at 2015 4:30 PM

PO2 Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 09 Dec 2015 16:30:17 -0500

My brother (in the Army) was stationed in Korea. He brought his wife with him, and came home with a wife and 2 dogs... they liked it, hmmmm

Response by LTC Paul Labrador made Dec 9 at 2015 5:56 PM

LTC Paul Labrador — Wed, 09 Dec 2015 17:56:53 -0500

I quite enjoyed my two tours in Korea (and most folks I've talked to subsequently have as well). I was stationed in Seoul, however, so my experience differs from the folks who were stationed up in Area 1. If I wasn't retiring this year, I'd go back in a heartbeat.

As for bringing spouses: the nature of tours in Korea have changed somewhat. The combat arms piece (what was once 2ID) are now rotational brigades that approach Korea like any other 9-12 month deployment (sans combat pay). No families allowed. Support elements still follow the traditional PCS model and can still bring families. They are shutting down most US controlled bases in Area 1 and most of Yongsan in Area II. They are consolidating everyone at Cp Humphreys and are spending A LOT of money making it nice. This includes family housing. IIRC, it still is going to follow the old rule that unless you are there more than a year it's a hardship tour.

Response by SN Greg Wright made Dec 9 at 2015 8:32 PM

SN Greg Wright — Wed, 09 Dec 2015 20:32:11 -0500

PVT Private RallyPoint Member I was never stationed there, but I've been there many times, and I loved it. But then, I never went anywhere in Asia that I didn't love.

Response by MAJ Bryan Zeski made Dec 10 at 2015 12:46 AM

MAJ Bryan Zeski — Thu, 10 Dec 2015 00:46:18 -0500

I am currently in Korea. I am also Command Sponsored. Do you have a sponsor from your unit yet? Have you requested one? If you don't have one, I recommend you request one ASAP. Your sponsor should be able to assist you with most things. Do your orders have you going somewhere specifically?

If you google, "Army Korea Command Sponsorship" there is a PDF for Command Sponsorship. For whatever reason, I can't get the link to post right here. (Also, I just emailed the link to you on the Global.)

If you need more info, feel free to contact me. If I can't help, I can at least point you in the right direction.

Response by SGT Ben Keen made Dec 10 at 2015 7:11 AM

SGT Ben Keen — Thu, 10 Dec 2015 07:11:26 -0500

I had a pretty good experience being stationed in Korea. Granted, I was in Area II just north of Seoul so things weren't as locked down as Area I but I found my time there to be okay. It does smell really bad in the summers and it gets super cold in the winter but there is just so much history and stuff to see and do that it makes it okay. I was married at the time but did not choose to take my then wife with me because I was already on a 18 month deployment and didn't want to extend beyond that.

Response by PFC Alexander Oliveira made Jan 11 at 2016 5:45 PM

PFC Alexander Oliveira — Mon, 11 Jan 2016 17:45:45 -0500

korea is odd to say the least. but be prepared. there are restrictions like no other at that duty station. 0200-0600 or 0100-0500 curfew for service member, cant remember which one exactly it is. I had some leaders at my unit I didn't like but definitely messed with my overall experience, but that I consider a personal problem. over all it was a great experience. definitely felt like I was on another plant, the plane ride was long as hell too. stay away from the juicy bars, or any bars for that matter, right off post, that goes for literally any base in the country. juicy girls just want your money, stay clear of them, they work for the bar I don't care what they tell you and they will hustle you at darts or pool. ive seen some poor souls sucked up by them. its what happens when you stick nerds in a foreign country and they have yellow fever for the locals. check with the BOSS program if youre a single soldier and see the DMZ, seoul tower, whatever, youre only there for a limited time and I regret not doing more while I was there

Response by CPL Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 13 at 2018 1:25 AM

CPL Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 13 Mar 2018 01:25:51 -0400

Good day how is the process for my wife I am stationed in korea.

Response by SGM Bill Frazer made Mar 27 at 2018 5:47 PM

SGM Bill Frazer — Tue, 27 Mar 2018 17:47:58 -0400

Family with you depends on whether or not they were authorized and Command sponsored.