Osan Air Force Base, Korea

2014-10-03T22:59:30-04:00

I am going unaccompanied and will be leaving very shortly. Anybody got any tips? What to bring, places to visit, etc.
35th ADA

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 4 at 2014 2:25 AM

2014-10-04T02:25:07-04:00

Check out the USFK website. Osan is in Area V. On the website, scroll to the very bottom and click on the "Area V:Osan" link. It'll take you to Osan's webpage where there is a lot of information.

I recommend taking all of your military gear you are signed for. You'll receive additional cold weather clothing at CIF, and you'll need it. It gets very cold, at times, in Korea. Definitely bring various types of civilian clothing but make sure it's nice and conservative. Don't wear some of this ridiculous clothes many wear that makes them stand out.

Places to visit? There are tons of places to go to. Check out the Osan's MWR facility for travel deals. You can take a bus on the weekends to come up to Yongsan, where I was at, or to many other places like Daegu, Kunsan, Humphries. It's generally fairly inexpensive. Don't buy anything in the secondary shops on base. Look around them then check out the shopping areas off base, which will have the same things but a bit cheaper. Highly recommend buying a decent bicycle to get around on base. There tons of other Korean sites to see. If you don't have a sponsor, I recommend getting one so they can show you around the first couple weeks.

Don't know if the rules have changed in the last year but there IS a curfew and they are VERY strict about it. You must have your ID to come onto post so carry it with you at all times. Many people get in trouble with the curfews. PLAN, PLAN, PLAN your off base activities so you don't become late.

Hope you have fun over there. If you are single, I recommend doing an extension which will give you some extra money.

http://www.usfk.mil/usfk/?AspxAutoDetectCookieSupport=1

Response by MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca made Oct 4 at 2014 7:17 AM

2014-10-04T07:17:19-04:00

SSG Private RallyPoint Member has pretty much said it all so all I'll add is go to Pan Mun Jom - its a once in a life time opportunity while you're stationed there. See if there are any battlefield tours because there is so much Korean War history and many monuments to see.

Response by SGT Richard H. made Oct 4 at 2014 1:17 PM

2014-10-04T13:17:18-04:00

Say hello to my nephew when you get there. He'll be the 6'6" skinny kid guarding the gate.

Response by SFC Boots Attaway made Oct 4 at 2014 1:39 PM

2014-10-04T13:39:10-04:00

Buy your tailor made stuff off base. I have and still wear a pair of combat boots that I had made over there in 79. Last year the tongue of the right boot ripped a little but it is still wearable. Also visit some of the local restaurants for some good food (I loved the yaki mon du).

For sights visit Soule and Pan Mun Jom, where I was on my second tour. I see that it has changed a lot since 82/83 by looking at it on Google Earth.

Response by LTC Yinon Weiss made Oct 4 at 2014 3:36 PM

2014-10-04T15:36:10-04:00

There are also several hundred RallyPoint members there now. You can request to connect with them before you leave and I'm sure they would be willing to help.

https://www.rallypoint.com/locations/osan-ab-south-korea/current

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