PCSing to Korea (General)

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 04 Apr 2014 14:06:52 -0400

This is my first real PCS move. I just want to be prepared for anything and just wanted some insight. I know the whole quickest way to make whatever rank but I'm not going go there to get in trouble or to find trouble. Thank you.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 15 at 2014 4:54 PM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 15 Mar 2014 16:54:10 -0400

SSG Armstrong,

It will be a great assignment but it has been a long time since I have been stationed there. Remember to train your soldier everyday, everyday if they have to much free time trouble is near.

I would also enroll in college too.

V/R

1SG Haro

Response by SGM Matthew Quick made Mar 15 at 2014 4:54 PM

SGM Matthew Quick — Sat, 15 Mar 2014 16:54:25 -0400

Have you been in contact with your sponsor?

Response by SPC James Bailey made Mar 15 at 2014 9:32 PM

SPC James Bailey — Sat, 15 Mar 2014 21:32:07 -0400

I would say bring beach gear since you'll only be an hour or less away from a highly populated city called Busan

Response by SGT William B. made Apr 4 at 2014 2:12 PM

SGT William B. — Fri, 04 Apr 2014 14:12:58 -0400

You pretty much named the best advice you could take. Don't do things that'll get you in trouble.

I've always heard terrible things about Korea as a duty station, but I can say from first-hand experience visiting my mother's family, it is an AWESOME country if you go out and don't play the stereotypical American that the world wants to view us as. Don't treat the locals like crap and definitely don't expect any special treatment just because you're an American soldier (how strange that applies pretty much everywhere?). Have fun; an overseas tour not in a combat zone is something that I could only wish for as a TPU soldier.

Response by MSG Jose Colon made Apr 4 at 2014 6:54 PM

MSG Jose Colon — Fri, 04 Apr 2014 18:54:38 -0400

When I went in 2002, I told my wife that I was going to learn the culture, write a book, and get a black belt.

As a logistician, I worked from 0630 PT to 1700 hrs, and at 1830, and paid the fee to practice Tae Kwon Do at the local gym. Whether you like the style or not, it was a good opportunity to vent frustration, keep in shape, and stay out of trouble. Monday through Friday, I practiced 1830-2230 hrs, and Saturday I did the tourist thing going to museums and shopping. Every once in a while, we'd go to the KuK Ki Kwon in Kangnam and practice some more.

I loved my time there and brought my wife for my last week there so she could experience the country and have some unique experiences.

I got hit in the head a few times but really enjoyed myself.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 4 at 2014 10:09 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 04 Apr 2014 22:09:33 -0400

When your not in the field or at the gym take every chance you can with BOSS and the MWR to take trips around the country. You will have plenty of time to do it so enjoy it, dont be a barracks rat.

Response by LTC Paul Labrador made Jun 6 at 2014 12:20 AM

LTC Paul Labrador — Fri, 06 Jun 2014 00:20:47 -0400

Pretty much ditto to what everyone else said. Big one is curfew. They have zero tolerance for busting curfew, so do not get caught off base after curfew. It's an automatic field grade Article 15. As a Chap Assist you can literally end up anywhere on the peninsula. If you get offered Yongsan, TAKE IT. Living in Seoul is awesome. Something that will help is to learn a little Korean language and learn how to read the Hangul alphabet. It's phonetic so it's actually pretty easy. Once you learn to read Korean (at least being able to read names and familiar words), using the bus and subways will not be as daunting.