I received a requisition to South Korea. Any personal experiences or opinions are welcomed?

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 01 Feb 2016 03:23:34 -0500

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 1 at 2016 6:12 AM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 01 Feb 2016 06:12:26 -0500

Based on your listed job title and location, you'd probably be stationed with 65th MED BDE or 121 Hospital in Yongsan (downtown Seoul). Stay out of Area I at all possible to fully enjoy the opportunities Korea has to offer. Good luck.

Response by SSG Todd Halverson made Feb 1 at 2016 8:50 AM

SSG Todd Halverson — Mon, 01 Feb 2016 08:50:47 -0500

It will all depends were you get stationed. I was at Camp Casey in the North about 15 miles from the DMZ. We had a curfew every night and limited in what areas we could travel. Down south you will have more freedom.

Response by MAJ Rene De La Rosa made Feb 1 at 2016 9:30 AM

MAJ Rene De La Rosa — Mon, 01 Feb 2016 09:30:06 -0500

Be wary of the option to extend in South Korea. They are always trying to lock people down on this (especially before they get to the unit while they are in reception). Look at this way: how valuable is you time? If they offer the extra year for $300, that comes down to $10 a day or about .42 cents an hour extra. I am a numbers guy (I need to see the whole picture), and I would not dissuade anyone from staying if they want to. They money looks enticing until you do the number crunch above. I had my enlisted folks thank me for showing them the bottom line.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 1 at 2016 10:38 AM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 01 Feb 2016 10:38:10 -0500

Its all on you. A lot of restrictions and policy's in place. Curfew is strict on Stanley and Casey. Nice place but gets boring quick. I'm getting ready to leave from a TDY deployment rotation and it wasn't what was expected I would have passed if I had the choice. But it's truly what you make it. I don't recommend bringing your family if you have one.

Response by SPC James Dollins made Feb 1 at 2016 10:53 AM

SPC James Dollins — Mon, 01 Feb 2016 10:53:27 -0500

I was in Korea in 03-04 @ Camp Humphries. I had a BLAST!! Realistically it's really what you make it. Hopefully you'll have a good crew! That'll make it ALOT better for you. Good luck!!

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 1 at 2016 1:34 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 01 Feb 2016 13:34:10 -0500

I loved Korea. Welcome the experience and the culture. Some older people will not like you at all. Always travel with a buddy and stay away from the soju, unless you drink it around someone you trust and will take care of you. Make the most of it. Good luck

Response by SCPO Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 1 at 2016 1:41 PM

SCPO Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 01 Feb 2016 13:41:12 -0500

Only eat indigenously cooked Kimchi. Don't trust the fast food kind!!! (Keep TUMS handy.)

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 1 at 2016 2:37 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 01 Feb 2016 14:37:17 -0500

always remember it is a HARDSHIP TOUR....go to church, meet some friends, get a battle buddy cuz you're gonna need it. Try to get into the 'sgt. school' there, get to work on getting your points up to get to the board as well...KEEP BUSY. I don't know if they have chaplains still? Hook up there as well...keep your mind occupied.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 1 at 2016 6:21 PM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 01 Feb 2016 18:21:40 -0500

If your stationed in Area 1 your going to have a lot of restrictions . Area 2 and further south is lovely from what I'm hearing. Be wise with your money. I'm here on Camp Hovey now. Just enjoy the experience and try to better your self. We have been in Korea for over 50 years the soju isn't going anywhere.

Response by WO1 Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 1 at 2016 10:43 PM

WO1 Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 01 Feb 2016 22:43:04 -0500

Korea is a great time. Do everything that you can, and I hope you stay out of Area 1, where fun goes to die. Lol

Response by CSM Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 4 at 2016 11:02 PM

CSM Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 04 Feb 2016 23:02:56 -0500

Korea can be a fantastic assignment. I was in Area 1...I'm not sure there is such a thing anymore though. Great culture and amazing things to see and do. Enjoy your tour.

Response by CWO3 Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 21 at 2019 12:08 PM

CWO3 Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 21 Jun 2019 12:08:27 -0400

Pass on the SOJU.

Response by LTC David Brown made Jun 24 at 2019 7:59 PM

LTC David Brown — Mon, 24 Jun 2019 19:59:14 -0400

Soju will give you the worse hang over you’ve ever had! I was there 1986. The Restaurants and culture was great. People were incredible. I visited Chonbuk (sp) Palace, built in the year Columbus discovered America, incredible old culture.