Posted on Jan 6, 2015
Would an assignment in Korea help or hurt your career?
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My first assignment in Korea was unexpected and unwelcome, but once I got here and interacted with the people and understood the mission, I spent a rewarding 18 months here, extending for my first command opportunity. After finishing a military school that added an active duty commitment, I was again told that I was bound for Korea. This time, I was less reluctant and my family was really looking forward to the adventure (they were coming this time). On the down side, Korea did not have great officer promotion results this last go-around at the field grade level. So either Korea isn't attracting the best and brightest, or the best and brightest aren't choosing to come here, or we are doing a poor job of documenting all of the great things folks are doing in Korea. Let me know your thoughts. Do you see Korea as the land of opportunity or otherwise? Is Korea an assignment of choice or last resort?
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I went to Fort Ord on 23 June 1971 for Base Training in US Army and Retire from US Army at Fort Ord 31 July 1993. After being station all the over world ie: Vietnam 7 mo, Germany (8 years), Middle East (2 years), Korea (4 1/2 years), Okinawa (3 years) Panama ( 4 1/2 years) and Philippines. (2 years)
HHB 2nd Battalion, 17th Field Artillery and HHC 2nd Battalion 503rd Infantry 2nd Infantry Division, Korea APO SF 96224 I was station in Korea for Dec 1984 to 1988 Korea (4 1/2 years
HHB 2nd Battalion, 17th Field Artillery and HHC 2nd Battalion 503rd Infantry 2nd Infantry Division, Korea APO SF 96224 I was station in Korea for Dec 1984 to 1988 Korea (4 1/2 years
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Sir, I think the issue with Korea is two-fold:
1) I think you are spot on that we simply do a poor job of documenting the great things we do there.
2) Tours in Korea are generally only a year long. It's harder to make an impact in a year than it is over 2-3.
That being said, Korea is still one of those assignments ouside of combat in Afghanistan, that has immediate real world implications. Definately a must do.
1) I think you are spot on that we simply do a poor job of documenting the great things we do there.
2) Tours in Korea are generally only a year long. It's harder to make an impact in a year than it is over 2-3.
That being said, Korea is still one of those assignments ouside of combat in Afghanistan, that has immediate real world implications. Definately a must do.
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It's true that Korea is a very difficult and challenging place to be stationed. The 2nd Infantry Division has to be prepared to go to war at a moments notice if deterrence fails. The difficultly lies in getting the "buy-in" from junior Soldiers and junior leaders. In most other contingency units (like the 82nd) the unit is well aware of what their mission is and they have the time to train and build a cohesive teams to execute. It is very difficult to achieve the same level of dedication and qualification in a unit that loses 10% of it forces every month.
What you are left with is an organization in which half the force is striving to be prepared for the mission and another half that is simply counting down the months until they rotate home. This phenomena combined with leaders who demand operational readiness, makes this a very challenging assignment.
But I constantly tell my Soldiers that Area I is the hardest place to "Army", but if they can be successful here, they will be rock stars everywhere else.
I personally had a challenging tour. It put strain on my career, and my family. But the things that I've learned in only a year here, couldn't have been taught anywhere else at such a fast pace. The experience and the outstanding Soldiers that I have served with has made this a truly rewarding tour.
What you are left with is an organization in which half the force is striving to be prepared for the mission and another half that is simply counting down the months until they rotate home. This phenomena combined with leaders who demand operational readiness, makes this a very challenging assignment.
But I constantly tell my Soldiers that Area I is the hardest place to "Army", but if they can be successful here, they will be rock stars everywhere else.
I personally had a challenging tour. It put strain on my career, and my family. But the things that I've learned in only a year here, couldn't have been taught anywhere else at such a fast pace. The experience and the outstanding Soldiers that I have served with has made this a truly rewarding tour.
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