Posted on Sep 18, 2020
What's the process to find a place to live if I bring my family to Korea without command sponsorship? Will I get a housing allowance?
8.92K
142
32
18
18
0
We just found out that command sponsorship was denied for my family to go to Korea. I am wondering if I bring the non command sponsored what is the process for find a place to live and what kind of housing allowance am I actually eligible for? I’ve read that once they apply for the SOFA visa that BAH for stateside will stop. Am I eligible to receive OHA and the utilities expense allowance? I understand I will have to pay their way to and from Korea.
South Korea
Command Sponsorship
Travel
Housing
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 18
20
20
0
E-6 and below live in military quarters, usually two NCOs sharing a common area. You won’t be able to live off post with support from the housing office. They make all the arrangements for lease agreements, etc. highly recommend you leave them in the US, do your one year and head back to CONUS. Without Healthcare your Family could suffer from JEV, etc. TriCare won’t be able to help because they won’t be authorized in Korea. You’re risking their safety by trying to bring them without government support. I recommend you just don’t do it.
(20)
(0)
12
12
0
You will not be eligible for any type of financial support whatsoever. They will be civilians living on the economy. They won’t be eligible for healthcare, transportation, base access privileges, or any type of OCONUS allowances. As far as the DOD is concerned, they are civilians on a long vacation that you’re paying for out of pocket. If you bring them out you alone are responsible for all their financial welfare. You will only receive a barracks room in Korea and the BAH for your family’s residence stateside.
(12)
(0)
Maj Robert Thornton
I second what SFC Boyd posted. My Marine brother-in-law took his family non-command sponsored to Okinawa. It was a nightmare for them. No medical or any other benefits.
(4)
(0)
MAJ Byron Oyler
LTC Jason Mackay - My spouse had a commissary card and I want to say healthcare at Yongsan. I was not foolish enough to bring my family non-command sponsored and she spent most of the year in Manila with her family. If they did get care at the hospital, it could have easily been my rank and fact I was staff there. Being medical has its perks at times and certainly has made all this COVID shit so much easier, no living in fear.
(3)
(0)
11
11
0
It will be expensive. You will have pay for your family’s tickets and all the expenses associated with their move. You need to contact you chain of command in Korea, because they are assuming that you will live in the barracks while you there.
(11)
(0)
SSG(P) (Join to see)
I’m completely fine with paying for their way over there and the move expenses SGM. I just want to know for housing allowance what I would be eligible for. I’ve informed my sponsor what I’m intentions are at this point. Thank you for the information!
(2)
(0)
SPC Margaret Higgins
LTC Jason Mackay - Dear Lieutenant Colonel Jason Mackay, Sir, I would consider it to be, one GREAT HONOR; were you to endorse me! (That is, if you haven't already done so.)
(2)
(0)
8
8
0
Good luck SSG(P) (Join to see). I was in Korea many, many moons ago at 17 years of age and loved my time there. I was on a little artillery base a couple miles south of the DMZ and loved my time in Korea. Can still speak a few words after 50 years!
(8)
(0)
CSM Charles Hayden
Moolah ! Best one for me to spell? SFC William Farrell
In 1954/55 there was a lot of Japanese mixed into our skoshi vocabulary. Joe, Joe who? .......... ...........
In 1954/55 there was a lot of Japanese mixed into our skoshi vocabulary. Joe, Joe who? .......... ...........
(1)
(0)
7
7
0
Look Cody, if there is no command sponsorship, then you are in essence abandoning your family to the mercies of the SK govt. No TRICARE, no Medical- except out of pocket, no allowances, etc. Why put your family thru that for a 1 yr tour- hell some of my deployments were almost that long.
(7)
(0)
7
7
0
I’ll be blunt. Your heart is in the right place but your plan of action is stupid.
You’ll put your family through significant hardship bringing them to Korea. Bottom line you are endangering your family.
You will be field training, you will be in garrison working, you will be busy.
You could have a chain of command whom acts negatively to you for bringing unauthorized family regardless if it’s within their realm of authority to punish you or not. That’s a shit stain you don’t need or want.
You’ll put your family through significant hardship bringing them to Korea. Bottom line you are endangering your family.
You will be field training, you will be in garrison working, you will be busy.
You could have a chain of command whom acts negatively to you for bringing unauthorized family regardless if it’s within their realm of authority to punish you or not. That’s a shit stain you don’t need or want.
(7)
(0)
5
5
0
5
5
0
While you have not stated there is a clear reason as to why it was denied. The expense, coupled with the realm of possibilities medically related, the language barrier, children’s schooling, and no access or support from DOD at all makes this a very undesirable solution. You may very well be confined to the base for any number of reasons further isolating your family as well.
Even if you do not have Family where they currently reside, it is familiar, they know the language, they have communal resources, and a base near by. Medical, schooling, emergency response, all there. I have known of a few folks who did this and they were married to women from Korea, the one I know that was not sent her and the kids home after 6 months, left again to fend for themselves, reestablishing everything on there own. Not a solid choice.
Even if you do not have Family where they currently reside, it is familiar, they know the language, they have communal resources, and a base near by. Medical, schooling, emergency response, all there. I have known of a few folks who did this and they were married to women from Korea, the one I know that was not sent her and the kids home after 6 months, left again to fend for themselves, reestablishing everything on there own. Not a solid choice.
(5)
(0)
2
2
0
In short....Don't do it! I had this situation as a 1SG and you will inherits all responsibilities for your faimly...medical, dental and school if you have children...NOTHING will be given to you but trouble for you and your family. DONT DO IT!!!!
(2)
(0)
COL Victor Hagan
Thank you 1SG for shooting it to him straight. It is a terrible idea and you appear to be one of the only people willing to just say, Don't Do It!!!
(0)
(0)
2
2
0
Thank you everyone for the advise I’ve heard a lot of different answers and will obviously not put my family in a bad position. We have spent plenty of time away from each other (between deployments and unaccompanied tours overseas and would prefer to not do it again if we can avoid it which is why we are wanting to go together this time. I’ll continue to do some research and make contact with my gaining chain of command before we make any decisions. Thanks again
(2)
(0)
1SG Mitchell Smith
Each Command is allocated a certain amount of slots for Command Sponsorship. Just because you were denied at the 'moment' doesn't mean you can't speak with the CSM/BC and reapply once on ground especially if you're a 'P' and will stay within there Command for couple of years benefiting the Command and Army...a greater percentage of approval.
However, if you chose your previous way and arrive in Korea expecting to be transported to Yongsan Reception with family members its a NO/GO - as I can remember family member has to get an exception to policy to travel in Government vehicles (there starts your money woe's). upon arrival to Yongsan Reception 'they are only tracking you' and will only accommodate 'you' not your family members which mean out of pocket for a minimal of 3'5 days hotel 'not cheap'. Once your gaining Command finds out you have unauthorized family members in Korea all Hell going to break loose from your 1SG putting in 4187's out of the butt trying to fix this problem. My advice is to stand-down until you hit ground.
Good luck.
However, if you chose your previous way and arrive in Korea expecting to be transported to Yongsan Reception with family members its a NO/GO - as I can remember family member has to get an exception to policy to travel in Government vehicles (there starts your money woe's). upon arrival to Yongsan Reception 'they are only tracking you' and will only accommodate 'you' not your family members which mean out of pocket for a minimal of 3'5 days hotel 'not cheap'. Once your gaining Command finds out you have unauthorized family members in Korea all Hell going to break loose from your 1SG putting in 4187's out of the butt trying to fix this problem. My advice is to stand-down until you hit ground.
Good luck.
(0)
(0)
Read This Next
Continue with Facebook 
Continue with Google