What will raise my chances of going to Japan or Korea in the army?

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 26 Jun 2022 19:17:56 -0400

So I plan on going back to active duty and after thinking my on what I want I’ve decided getting stationed in Japan or Korea would be my top two. I get it there are needs of the army but I’m looking for advice from higher ups on what would be the best way especially coming back into active on how to get stationed over in a Asian country.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 26 at 2022 10:50 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 26 Jun 2022 22:50:08 -0400

Contact one of these three gentlemen... they are very knowledgeable in Military related questions/issues.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 26 at 2022 11:39 PM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 26 Jun 2022 23:39:23 -0400

For S. Korea, one would think any MOS would suffice. As for Japan, medical would certainly help. Regardless, it's still going to boil down to where the Army wants to send you.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 27 at 2022 1:34 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 27 Jun 2022 01:34:15 -0400

Just reenlist to go there when it's time. Japan probably won't happen, but it's not impossible. I've put about a half dozen 92Y there before. But slots are extremely limited. Korea is too easy.

Response by SSgt Christophe Murphy made Jun 27 at 2022 10:09 AM

SSgt Christophe Murphy — Mon, 27 Jun 2022 10:09:51 -0400

I wouldn't imagine Korea being hard to get. Japan would be harder as it isn't a major hub for the Army and MOS's there are more limited by comparison. Just make your request known and worse case reenlist for it when the time comes

Response by SFC Michael Hasbun made Jun 27 at 2022 6:51 PM

SFC Michael Hasbun — Mon, 27 Jun 2022 18:51:32 -0400

Just ask your assignment manager. I've received orders to exactly where I wanted to go every time I volunteered to go overseas. And that's 14 years worth of overseas time.
It's not only possible, it's plausible.

Response by SFC Jarvis Randall made Jun 29 at 2022 7:47 AM

SFC Jarvis Randall — Wed, 29 Jun 2022 07:47:26 -0400

You can request Korea. Japan only takes certain ranks and MOSs.

Response by MSG David Lambert made Jun 29 at 2022 8:18 AM

MSG David Lambert — Wed, 29 Jun 2022 08:18:35 -0400

When I returned from the first Gulf War, I called the enlisted personnel manager and asked what assignments were available in the Asian theater. I landed a joint service tour in Japan. Already had a tour under my belt in Korea ‘87-’88. I always preferred overseas tours to stateside. Take an active role in your assignment. You’ll find that provides a better path in career progression to just sitting back waiting for whatever is handed to you. Also, seek out leadership positions. Challenge yourself by volunteering for more difficult assignments for the experience and for self improvement. Schools, assignments and tours of duty.

Response by CSM Richard StCyr made Jul 6 at 2022 1:59 PM

CSM Richard StCyr — Wed, 06 Jul 2022 13:59:57 -0400

Contact your branch manager and tell them that you don't want to go there under any circumstances............ Orders shall miraculously appear within minutes of you having hung up the phone.

Response by PO2 Joan MacNeill made Jul 11 at 2022 8:11 PM

PO2 Joan MacNeill — Mon, 11 Jul 2022 20:11:19 -0400

First thought is to learn the language(s), even the basics, and get it in your record. Maybe some cultural or history courses too. Perhaps a local community college, online or correspondence courses, would be good resources. Or local people of that ethnicity. Japanese or Korean martial arts may help. I'm having a great time studying languages with the online group Duolingo.

Response by SSG Bill McCoy made Aug 29 at 2022 7:48 PM

SSG Bill McCoy — Mon, 29 Aug 2022 19:48:41 -0400

Japan is limited by the SOFA as to how many soldiers, especially in NCO ranks are even allowed to be stationed there - including Okinawa. I went to Okinawa on an accompanied tour, and was sent back to CONUS after about 4 months because the Army sent 140 too many NCO's. No, they were not allowed to transfer someone else closer to PCS because the SOFA required them to pull back the same people they sent over the specified limit.

Response by SP5 Dennis Loberger made Aug 29 at 2022 11:33 PM

SP5 Dennis Loberger — Mon, 29 Aug 2022 23:33:53 -0400

In my case evidence indicates you should express a desire to go to Germany and they will send you to Japan