What has been favorite overseas assignment and why?

SGM Luther Thomas — Thu, 21 Aug 2014 17:45:17 -0400

I am currently visiting Army Reserve Soldiers in Korea. This is my third time in Korea. All of the Soldiers here really enjoy their assignment in Korea whether permanently assigned or here for an exercise.

They enjoy culture, the food, and the Korean people are very friendly.

Question: what has been favorite overseas assignment and why?

Response by LTC Paul Labrador made Aug 21 at 2014 5:47 PM

LTC Paul Labrador — Thu, 21 Aug 2014 17:47:20 -0400

Outside of combat deployments, I've only ever been assigned to Korea. I enjoyed it greatly due to the factors you've already mentioned.

Response by PO1 Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 21 at 2014 5:51 PM

PO1 Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 21 Aug 2014 17:51:35 -0400

North Korea. Because sometimes I wish I was dead or Dennis Rodman.

Just kidding, Okinawa, Japan! 2007-2010. Beautiful weather, high humidity worse than Miami, never dipped below 45' in the winter. People are super friendly, great food, great times during typhoons! Have more questions, hollar!

PS: Thanks, LTC Paul Labrador, beat me to 100 trail blazer points, errgh!

Response by MSG Brian Breaker made Aug 21 at 2014 9:00 PM

MSG Brian Breaker — Thu, 21 Aug 2014 21:00:17 -0400

CSM,

Korea was my first overseas assignment as a Soldier. I went to HS in Germany as a dependent and that was GREAT! I will say I thoroughly enjoyed almost everything the Far East had to offer and the opportunity to travel. The work you do overseas is challenging and the military communities are great.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 21 at 2014 9:01 PM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 21 Aug 2014 21:01:14 -0400

CSM, I would have to go with Korea too. Had it not been for my time spent with the 1/9 Mech out at Camp Hovey I wouldn't be in the Army today. It was a just a great group of Soldiers to work for and with.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 21 at 2014 9:01 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 21 Aug 2014 21:01:48 -0400

BOSNIA, hands down CSM! I was in Korea for an exercise. Meh. To be completely fair, I was there as a civilian providing assistance to the military (it is part of what motivated me to join). I lived on the economy in downtown Sarajevo and was free to travel. The country is beautiful, the food is amazing, and the people are the best. I was there for almost 4 years.

Response by SFC Mark Merino made Aug 22 at 2014 4:14 AM

SFC Mark Merino — Fri, 22 Aug 2014 04:14:41 -0400

Germany. It was the only overseas assignment where I wasn't shot at.

Response by MSG Wade Huffman made Aug 22 at 2014 7:18 AM

MSG Wade Huffman — Fri, 22 Aug 2014 07:18:25 -0400

CSM, I can honestly say I've never had a BAD overseas assignment (2x in Germany, once each in Italy and England), but if I had to pick the BEST, I would have to say England. The people were very friendly, it was a joint/combined assignment so I had the opportunity to learn from other branches and nations, the history and travel opportunities, and the people I worked with were, hands down, second to none! One additional note, don't ever try to convince yourself there is no language barrier between the UK and the US! (those who have been there for any amount of time will understand! lol!)

Response by SGT Richard H. made Aug 22 at 2014 8:41 AM

SGT Richard H. — Fri, 22 Aug 2014 08:41:54 -0400

I loved Bamberg, Germany. It's a really old town that was relatively untouched by WWII so it still has a very old feel, and is one of those rare small towns that has modern conveniences, but has mostly escaped the modernization of the rebuilding of post WWII Germany.

Response by SGT Ben Keen made Aug 22 at 2014 8:52 AM

SGT Ben Keen — Fri, 22 Aug 2014 08:52:44 -0400

I really enjoyed both Germany and Korea. As a guy who enjoys history, it was amazing to go to some of the places I read about in books growing up. The fact that was I only 19 years old and able to travel throughout Europe was just amazing.

Response by SFC Stephen Carden made Aug 22 at 2014 10:29 AM

SFC Stephen Carden — Fri, 22 Aug 2014 10:29:49 -0400

CSM, even though I thoroughly enjoyed my three years in Korea, I would have to say that my favorite was Germany. I was there before the Euro, so the US dollar went a long way. The history was amazing and the people were friendly. The food and the beer were first rate! I liked it so much that I have been trying to get back there ever since I left in 1994, and I am seriously looking for jobs there now that I am retiring. Specifically, I was in the Wiesbaden and Mainz areas.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 24 at 2014 4:40 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 24 Aug 2014 04:40:37 -0400

CSM, My favorite is Germany. I love history and traveling and I got to do both on 4 days weekend while I was getting paid by the Army. I got to see so much and do in a short amount of time. Every since I left I always think about the countries I didn't have a chance to go see because of a deployment and which cut my 2 year tour in half. I will go back there before I ETS or retire from the Army.

Response by SGT Thomas Lucken made Aug 24 at 2014 12:23 PM

SGT Thomas Lucken — Sun, 24 Aug 2014 12:23:54 -0400

CSM Thomas, I still know some of those old coots in the Reserve Units over there!!!!! Especially up around Camp Red Cloud and north. :-)

Response by SPC Charles Brown made Aug 25 at 2014 3:27 PM

SPC Charles Brown — Mon, 25 Aug 2014 15:27:24 -0400

Korea is both my favorite and most hated duty assignment. SGM Luther Thomas, if you would like to know why I have posted another discussion thread here on Rally-point. 12 Years and Only a Corporal, What is Wrong With This Guy? It explains in minor detail why. If you want the long version clear your calendar and I will give you the unabridged version.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 26 at 2014 7:14 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 26 Aug 2014 07:14:17 -0400

I love Korea, the people are great, the food is awesome, and the culture is amazing. This is the problem with most young soldiers, they don't get out and see the country, they just hang in the ville and get drunk.
Most of the joes there are on their first trip away from mommas apron strings and get completely stupid. Which brings me to my only sore point about Korea, the curfew. I am a 44 year old grandfather of 5 and I had to be back on post by a certain time.
I also loved Germany because of my Polish roots and the ability to see nearly ever country.

Response by SSgt Lawrence Gordon made Nov 13 at 2022 3:41 PM

SSgt Lawrence Gordon — Sun, 13 Nov 2022 15:41:35 -0500

Four years at Kunsan, (K-8) also married a Korean and we were together for 39 years until her passing. They had to drive me back to the states.