What advice would you give to someone going to Korea (first duty station) who has never been out of the country before?

Come back with more rank, money, and college

I would strongly recommend you learn Korean right away. One of my best mentors told me this when I was assigned to Misawa Japan; he said if you don't learn the language within the 1st 6 months you never will. He was RIGHT. We took the survival Japanese then just took the Jalopy and drove off base to "let's go get lost." Saw a LOT more of Japan because we were willing to do this Your experience in Korea will be so much more rich if you do this .

Learn the language, culture, and history of the country. Don't be afraid to travel.And most of all, DON'T DRINK TOO MUCH!!!

1. Don’t bring your family. 2. Don’t bring your family. 3. Don’t bring your family. If don’t listen to 1,2, and 3 you will be stuck here for two years and more than likely be stationed at Camp Humphreys. Take my advice and leave the family and just do the one year. Humphreys doesn’t have a hospital or even sick call. The base is huge but you won’t get to stay on it with a family unless you’re an officer. Living off post is ok if you don’t mind the smell of sewage. And between all the exercises and ridiculous OPTEMPO you really wouldn’t get that much time with your family if they were here.

Before I went to Korea I read everything I could (this was before YouTube) and visited a friend who'd been there. Go to a Korean restaurant, learn some phrases, and regard the assignment as an adventure.

Make sure you travel and go sight seeing. There are multiple inexpensive ways to get to Seoul, tons of amusement parks, waterparks, snowboarding, beaches everything. Don't spend the whole year on the five mile bar strip in front of base. Use ITT if you don't want to research or need people to go with. Have fun, but DO something besides just get smashed.

My advice is this: Take full advantage of the opportunity to learn about an ancient culture that is unique in this world. Koreans are intelligent, industrious, hard working and generally nice. They have a history that is fascinating. Go on as many tours as possible and learn about your host country. Try to LEARN THE LANGUAGE. Understand and appreciate the cultural differences. Don't ever forget that the most important thing in life to most Koreans is FAMILY.

WRT Korean women, they're like any other country; good and bad. If you feel the need to date a Korean, stay away from the bar girls. If you do find a decent young woman, be aware that many Koreans - especially the women - will think the worst and look down on her for dating an American. She is risking a lot by going out with you.

As soon as possible, buy a transit card at a local train, bus or subway station. You can use them to pay for all public transportation including taxis. They can be re-charged.

Finally, I can highly recommend the Nul Dongdak 1977 Fried chicken Restaurant. Take subway line 5 to Dongdaemun History & Cultural Park station and go out extit 7. They are right across the street. They open about 4 PM. The fried chicken is fantastic and the cost is nominal.

Pack your long underwear, lots of extra sets

SGT David Thomas did you have to mention "Soju"? Before we were married my wife was in Korea working on a nuclear power plant her co-workers to her to drink bottled water and she bought "Soju" by mistake. Everytime she brings bottled water home I always say "Great you brought home Soju!" For some reason she always gives me a dirty look I don't know why.

Do not break curfew!!! No matter what you do not want to break curfew. You will be maxed out with an article 15, meaning you will be an E1, 45 days extra duty and possible 1/2 months pay for 2 months taken. This is one issue that is not played with. Also underaged drinking will get you dragged across the red carpet (If you are under 21).