Using Korea to come back to a duty station, would it work?

2018-10-08T12:59:15-04:00

My time is coming to an end here shortly at JBLM. Been here for almost 3.5 years. I love it here, so much to do on the weekends and it's just a nice area overall. I haven't come down on orders yet but I know I will be soon.

I had an idea, maybe it's utterly stupid. Since Korea is only a one year gig and I honestly enjoy the country, would going back to Korea and trying to request to PCS back to JBLM seem like a feasible thing to do? Has anyone else tried something like this?

Response by SGT Cody Skinner made Oct 8 at 2018 1:04 PM

2018-10-08T13:04:35-04:00

I got off Active Duty in 2006, back then JBLM was a Black Hole Post. If you do go to Korea, you go right back to Lewis. I don't think it would be that hard to do.

Response by 1SG Timothy Trewin made Oct 8 at 2018 3:34 PM

2018-10-08T15:34:04-04:00

Contact your branch manager. See if you can get a HAP for JBLM if you volunteer for Korea. They might be able to help you.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 8 at 2018 3:51 PM

2018-10-08T15:51:37-04:00

People do it all the time. Korea automatically brings you back to your Homebase post unless you choose something else. People who have EFMP family members and can't move to a different post will use a dependent restricted tour like Korea or Kuwait to reset their time on station.
Korea has the HAAP program, Homebase/Advanced Assignment Program which means you get your choice of returning to where you left from or your follow on assignment. This doesn't apply if you extend for AIP in Korea or if you bring your family.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 8 at 2018 6:07 PM

2018-10-08T18:07:22-04:00

I’ve done it before. Branch is so surprised that a soldier is willing to take a hardship tour they will give you the HAAP of choice.

Response by SFC Bob Johnson made Oct 10 at 2018 7:12 AM

2018-10-10T07:12:23-04:00

CPL Y L,
I loved my time at JBLM and Korea; with that being said... I would say that it is never a bad thing to explore your options and depending on how much more time you owe on your enlistment, you may have to re-enlist. However, if you’re making the most of your options, I think that it would be worth contacting your assignment manager and see what can be done. I did it a couple times, Korea and back to JBLM. Hope that this helps...

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 12 at 2018 8:50 PM

2018-10-12T20:50:11-04:00

FYI, I have been assigned to Korea twice both times I had a HAAP back to were I left and neither time I went back not by my choice. So it all depends on what your branch requires at that time.. But then again I was a SSG and 1SG so not sure about SPC.... Role the dice and see...

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 12 at 2018 8:53 PM

2018-10-12T20:53:29-04:00

I apologize CPL YL did not mean to refer to you as SPC.