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I am currently in the Air Force for almost 4 years and have been contemplating whether or not I want to put in to go to Korea. I have met some that have gone and it seems that it is split as far as if they liked it or not. I want to get stationed overseas and feel this will help. What were your experiences? Would you do it again? Also how are the exercises that I hear about that go on daily?
Thank You
Thank You
Assignments
Korea
Overseas
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 17
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I did it twice. It was a great time. If you like Korean war history there are plenty of sites to visit along with Pan Mun Jom. We used to love going to Osan to live the good life provided by you Air Force guys!
There is plenty of culture to absorb in Korea. I thought it was really worth it.
There is plenty of culture to absorb in Korea. I thought it was really worth it.
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SrA (Join to see)
Thank you for your response Sir. I am interested because it will be something new and something out of my element, however with that said sometimes going out of our elements can be what can stop us from doing something great. I love learning new things no matter what it is, so I know as far as knowledge about Korea I would gain a lot.
Thank You!
Thank You!
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MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca
I don't think you'll be disappointed SrA (Join to see) should you choose to go. My parents thought I was nuts to go once let alone twice but without being in the military, how else would you get to go. I also recommend Japan and Germany. Wish I could have done a tour in Germany but I left AD. I did spend 6 weeks there in 2005 on a pre-deployment exercise and it was awesome.
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I was stationed in Korea three times. Twice in Uijeongbu at Camp Stanley and once in Pyeongtaek at Osan AFB for a total of 4.5 years. I enjoyed my time in Korea very much. I enjoyed it much more down in Pyeongtaek than in Uijeongbu, but tours are what you make them.
My first tour we spent 10 months in the field and there was not a lot of free time so that was by far my least enjoyable tour there. My second tour was drastically different. Only 5 months of field time. I was able to go out and see a lot of the historical places around the country. My third tour had almost no field time except during major training exercises. I had a car and lived off base. I learned scuba diving and started traveling to other countries in Asia. As Air Force you are limited to a few places: Yeongsan, K-16, Kunsan and Osan. Yeongsan is in Seoul just about 1KM from the Han river. K-16 is south of Seoul and depending on traffic could be 15 minutes or 6 hours from Seoul. Osan is about one hour south of Seoul in Pyeontaek. Kunsan is about 4-6 hours south of Osan. Traveling in Korea is very easy. The train systems are excellent. There are buses and taxis as well. Buses are a little harder to get the hang of, but once you do they are just as good as the train. Taxis are a crap shoot. A lot of taxis will try to cheat you by giving a flat rate to go someplace. it is usually 3 or 4 times the metered rate. If you have to use a taxi call an AAFES taxi. They have to use the meter and can take you both on and off base.
I hope you decide to go to Korea. As long as you are not a barracks rat you will have a good time. Also if you want to know a little more just send me a private message.
My first tour we spent 10 months in the field and there was not a lot of free time so that was by far my least enjoyable tour there. My second tour was drastically different. Only 5 months of field time. I was able to go out and see a lot of the historical places around the country. My third tour had almost no field time except during major training exercises. I had a car and lived off base. I learned scuba diving and started traveling to other countries in Asia. As Air Force you are limited to a few places: Yeongsan, K-16, Kunsan and Osan. Yeongsan is in Seoul just about 1KM from the Han river. K-16 is south of Seoul and depending on traffic could be 15 minutes or 6 hours from Seoul. Osan is about one hour south of Seoul in Pyeontaek. Kunsan is about 4-6 hours south of Osan. Traveling in Korea is very easy. The train systems are excellent. There are buses and taxis as well. Buses are a little harder to get the hang of, but once you do they are just as good as the train. Taxis are a crap shoot. A lot of taxis will try to cheat you by giving a flat rate to go someplace. it is usually 3 or 4 times the metered rate. If you have to use a taxi call an AAFES taxi. They have to use the meter and can take you both on and off base.
I hope you decide to go to Korea. As long as you are not a barracks rat you will have a good time. Also if you want to know a little more just send me a private message.
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At first I hated it because it was a totally different atmosphere. I grew to enjoy my time there. When I was able to I visited some Korean Historical sites. I had a very good tour. I even got married there and recently had my 25th anniversary.
When my son went over about a year and a half ago I told him to keep an open mind and he would enjoy the place and that he should see the sites and learn some of his heritage. But of course I am dad and kids don't listen to their parents.
Bottom line. Keep an open mind. Not everyone likes EVERY base they get stationed at. If you keep an open mind going in you should be G2G.
When my son went over about a year and a half ago I told him to keep an open mind and he would enjoy the place and that he should see the sites and learn some of his heritage. But of course I am dad and kids don't listen to their parents.
Bottom line. Keep an open mind. Not everyone likes EVERY base they get stationed at. If you keep an open mind going in you should be G2G.
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