I am heading to Kunsan AB, ROK in a month (unaccompanied). What should I expect as an E-6 USAF in Emergency Management?

2016-05-13T19:41:15-04:00

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made May 13 at 2016 8:12 PM

2016-05-13T20:12:04-04:00

make sure you get to see more of the country than a town.

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made May 13 at 2016 10:26 PM

2016-05-13T22:26:56-04:00

Congrats on your assignment to the Wolf Pack! I was stationed there twice in my career. It is a perfect opportunity for you to accomplish some of your goals like education, studying for promotion, etc. Do not fall into the drinking trap. Yes, they work hard and party just as hard. But do not let that distract you from your goals. Stay away from the "Juice girls". A majority of them are looking for your cash. They will hound you to buy them "drinks" which cost about $10 each and it is just fruit juice. And some will try to con you into taking them to the Big PX (USA) because the "love you". Get out and experience the culture, not the "A Town" culture. "A Town" is just a bunch of bars and "Juicy Girls" for GI's. Go shopping down town if you can. You can get things made there pretty cheap. Oh and now for the bad news, be prepared for EXERCISES and spending time in MOPP 4. :)

Response by TSgt Gwen Walcott made May 14 at 2016 11:32 AM

2016-05-14T11:32:53-04:00

Kimchi

Response by SSgt Michael D. made May 17 at 2016 6:44 AM

2016-05-17T06:44:27-04:00

Sorry, my information would be about 45 years out of date. @ Kunsan AB with the 3rd TFW Dec 1972 - Jan 1974. It was an enjoyable experience for me, Hope you find your tour to be all that and more. I'm with TSgt H D and get to see more of the country and make friends with the locals.

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made May 17 at 2016 7:34 AM

2016-05-17T07:34:32-04:00

Expect to walk a lot or bring a bike. Summer's are hot and humid and it gets into the 20's in the winter. Get comfortable with your chem gear because you will wear it a lot. Everybody is in the same boat missing their family so the is a closeness that does not exist at other bases. It's what you make it. Been here for 10 months and I can tell you I've been to worse places.

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made May 17 at 2016 1:19 PM

2016-05-17T13:19:45-04:00

EXERCISE EXERCISE EXERCISE! MOPP 4 Alarm Red, EXERCISE EXERCISE EXERCISE!

Response by TSgt Dan Kenna made May 17 at 2016 1:24 PM

2016-05-17T13:24:28-04:00

Ah, the Wolf Pack...based on my time there, here is what I recommend.
1. Start drinking NOW. You can't show up there without some ability to throw down large amounts of booze.
2. Unaccompanied is just another way of saying free for all. Buy stock in Trojans and make sure you have plenty on hand at all times. You never know when you'll need one...best to be prepared.
3. Juicy Girls are not your friend...unless your all about the Richard Tease. If you want some real action, find the back alleys. Just make sure you avoid town patrol.
4. MOPP Gear. Yeah...it sucks. But the exercises can be fun. Always ended with tons of drinking so there is that...
5. Don't be a dick. You are there for a year. Be good to the people you live and work with. Everyone hates the Blue Falcon.
6. Lastly, make the best of it. If it gets bad, remember it's a short tour...

Response by SMSgt Steve Neal made May 17 at 2016 3:39 PM

2016-05-17T15:39:13-04:00

You'll find very nice facilities, the tightest teamwork ethic (the Wolfpack is one big family), and a superb opportunity for self-introspection and growth. I was a 6-year TIG E-7 when I arrived with an average WAPS & board score 200 points too low for Senior. By taking on every opportunity for T-shirt duty, sponsoring a base-bonfire or two, representing my unit as "Hooch-Daddy" (squadron bar peacekeeper) and winning a couple quarterly awards (8th FW SNCOQ), I made E-8 with 70 points to spare. Kunsan made all that happen for me BECAUSE I had no family with me and nothing else to do while off duty.

Emergency Management... You are living at "the pointy end of the spear", where we are under CONSTANT threat of enemy attack from the North and a newly active Chinese navy basically surrounds the entire Korean peninsula. Stuff is gonna happen while you are there! The entire base/wing team is with you on exercises and emergencies, as are the Korea Air Forces side-by-side with you on base. The Wolfpack always plays it "for real" so suggest you get used to that now... Your flak vest will seem much lighter after six ORI prep exercises, but your training chem gear will not...

Response by Lt Col Private RallyPoint Member made May 17 at 2016 9:39 PM

2016-05-17T21:39:36-04:00

TSgt Cullinan, welcome to the Wolf Pack! I'm here right now...with all due respect to some of the commenters who were here so long ago, a lot has changed. A-Town is not nearly as prominent as it once was and most places there are off-limits now anyways. Most people do their partying on base at the hooches (squadron-run lounges), if you're into partying. But if you're not into partying (an I would encourage you not to party your time away), there is plenty else to do...education, recreation , and volunteering. The Chapel (where I work) runs the SonLight Inn, an alcohol-free place where you can hang out, play games, enjoy free Wi-Fi, or even get free piano lessons. We do a free meal every Sunday night at 1800. The SonLight Inn is run by volunteer "Innkeepers"...if you're looking to volunteer, that's a great opportunity. The Chapel also does a monthly trip to a local orphanage where you can volunteer. Of course, there are opportunities at the Chapel to develop and to express your faith. If you are interested, please look me up when you get here. The call me "Shepherd 2" around here!

Response by Sgt Michael Rogers made May 18 at 2016 8:36 AM

2016-05-18T08:36:12-04:00

Dont wait till last minute on anything. Tell miss lee and miss kim hello. They are a very lovely people enjoy and respect them.

Response by LTC Paul Labrador made May 18 at 2016 6:39 PM

2016-05-18T18:39:48-04:00

Korea is a great assignment. Along with the words of advice already offered: see the country and take the time to take in the culture. Korea has lots of it. However, also keep in mind that the work you're doing there is "real world." Meaning, you can literally be at war in Korea in a matter of minutes. So take all your training and whatnot seriously and as if it is the real thing, because that exercise you thought was an exercise may turn out to be the real thing.

Response by SGT Chris Hill made May 21 at 2016 11:28 AM

2016-05-21T11:28:25-04:00

Can't speak for the air force aspect but I have been stationed in kunsan in 2009-10 and it's great, at least from an army perspective. It was a "vacation" when we had time off to enjoy the area. There's a bus that will take you out to "A-town", there's an amazing Italian restaurant called Alfredo's, highly recommend that. Had severa Air Force buddies who said it was pretty good for overseas. Good luck and enjoy the tour! I did 3 different tours in Korea, Air Force has it nice over there and osan ab.

Response by TSgt Bill Wentworth made May 27 at 2016 7:18 AM

2016-05-27T07:18:11-04:00

I hope you enjoy it take every opportunity to enjoy the country it is great and the people are great, I just got back earlier this month and can't wait to get back over there.

Response by TSgt Ken Hilty made Jun 6 at 2016 11:20 AM

2016-06-06T11:20:30-04:00

You will love being a part of the Wolfpack...

Response by TSgt Robert Mahaffy made Jun 8 at 2016 11:31 AM

2016-06-08T11:31:41-04:00

Expect to be in NCO barracks and Kunsan (when I was there) exercised one full week every month so expect to be sucking rubber. AS far as the country goes, Seoul was a nice break but I liked to get off of the ROK when I could and hopped over to Japan. Much cleaner and nicer experience.

Response by TSgt Joe C. made Jun 24 at 2016 7:21 PM

2016-06-24T19:21:55-04:00

This is going to be a busy year but I already have a feeling this is going to be a great assignment!

Response by TSgt Robert Perkins made Jun 25 at 2016 4:15 PM

2016-06-25T16:15:47-04:00

what he meant was "A" town. Its a pretty place.

Response by TSgt Kenneth Wampler made Sep 17 at 2016 6:27 PM

2016-09-17T18:27:07-04:00

You will be busy enough with exercises that your job will take care of itself, because you will seem like you never left it. Lol. Make sure you have plenty of MRE's in your dorm room as going to the chow hall during an exercise is a joke, don't do it. Keep yourself busy with activities in your free time to keep from going crazy. As crazy as it sounds get into the crafts and arts, definitely get into bowling, even if you don't bowl do it anyway. If you go down town on the Wolf Pack bus, make sure you keep your ass near your DDNCO to get back on the bus and back on base before curfew. Don't get caught of base with out proper leave as you will be asking for Article 15 action, so don't be a dumb ass. It's really hard if you are married as you lose BAQ and BAS so you might want to get with Services and try to get a part time job to off set the loss of income or your spouse is definitely going to have to work as well. You don't get hazardous duty pay, even though you are in a Cease Fire Zone so you will be screwed on that one as well. Also enjoy the shopping.

Response by TSgt Logan T Daniels made Oct 18 at 2016 9:30 PM

2016-10-18T21:30:24-04:00

CLEP/DANTES tests if you don't have a degree

Response by MSgt Samuel Thornton made Aug 19 at 2017 8:25 AM

2017-08-19T08:25:19-04:00

Lots of base exercises.

Response by SSgt Harvey "Skip" Porter made Nov 28 at 2017 11:34 PM

2017-11-28T23:34:59-05:00

Take some warm clothing because it really gets very cold there!

Response by SSgt George Jackson made Jul 13 at 2022 8:21 PM

2022-07-13T20:21:09-04:00

Plenty of exercises