I'm getting PCSed to Korea in September, and I'm pretty excited! I want to see as much as I can, but for better or worse I feel like I'm going to be very energetically seeing the region, as I only have one short year to see as much as possible.
PCSing to Korea in just a few weeks I'm so exited! I was stationed there in 2017 in Seoul and I loved it so much I decided to go back and maybe do two years :)
Erin McShane This time around I want to travel outside the peninsula if possible I never did on my first tour.and reconnect with old Korean National friends.
Nice list!! I do think Korea is slowly becoming more of a desired duty station now that the curfew is gone. We rarely stay out past 1am but it's nice to not have to rush home when we are traveling around pen!
Stationed in Cp. Henry, Daegu, Korea 1990-92; still have fond memories, not so much my unit, but local people met while there! Took a Korean language class on base and made good use of it by travelling as far as i could from base! could, for most part, read bus, train, etc..signs and on 4 day weekends, no one saw me until Tuesday morning! Recall Military associates always asking where i disappeared to thursday after work! Also was last unit in Korea, 249th MP Det.a co-worker wanted to go with me on one of my excursions and i agreed! I took Buses, Subways, Trains to little small quiet towns, and when we were someplace far from base and he did not see any signs in English or any Westerners, i believe he was quite uncomfortable and told me he changed his mind! fair enough just pointed way back, i was not about to escort him back, and saw him following Tuesday and that was that!
Thank you! I have recently moved back to the States, so no promises on more house tours. Do you know what you are looking for in a home? If so, I might have the right footage for another home tour video.
Great tips! How is the MWR or USO for setting up trips? There are a few places that I would like to travel to while I am there but I'm curious if someone else has done the leg work for setting them up.
Ooohhh. Solid question. I'll have to look more into that one. There is a 'Discover Seoul' travel agency that has a facility next to the PX/Texas Road House. I know they book tours out of there, but I never walked in there. There are also a couple Korean companies that post trips on Facebook - hikes, party in a cabin for Thanksgiving, go skiing, etc.
If you can get the Army to recognize your marriage (I.e. complete all the paperwork and verify it is in the system) in time to adjust your PCS orders then adjust your movement plans, then you will be able to. Good luck. I also hope you are marrying the partner of your dreams!
Officers in queue for a command or other kd slot are expected to stay longer than one year. Enlisted can reenlist for Korea or apply to stay. There really are no guarantees for officers or enlisted, but both have good chances of their requests to stay being granted.
Nice! Permanent Change of Station. It is one of the military's never-ending list of acronyms. It's when a service member moves to a new job/duty location.
Not for tourism and exploring, as per guidance pertaining to health protection condition C. USFK and 8thArmy publish increased or relaxed travel restrictions as the health protection condition level changes (as the number of cases in Korea fluctuates).
My first duty assignment is Camp Humphreys South Korea. I’m a little worried about how the South Korea culture is towards the LGBT community since I am part of that…
Hmm. Great question. I didn’t see any openly LGBT Koreans and heard of their disposition against. Never heard of any actions taken against members of the community. There are probably some blogs that share useful insights.
Korea is a conservative country and same sex marriage is still illegal here. That being said, there are lots of LGBTQ+ friendly spots in Seoul, particularly in Itaewon. At the moment, due to the pandemic, Seoul is off limits but hopefully that won't be the case forever. I think it's also important to network and make friends with like minded people so maybe joining a FB group would be helpful? That's how I made lots of friends here.
I haven't been to Korea since 2007... just got here last week.
I'm getting PCSed to Korea in September, and I'm pretty excited! I want to see as much as I can, but for better or worse I feel like I'm going to be very energetically seeing the region, as I only have one short year to see as much as possible.
For better! The further out from base, the more there is to explore. Happy travels
Great video and content!
PCSing to Korea in just a few weeks I'm so exited! I was stationed there in 2017 in Seoul and I loved it so much I decided to go back and maybe do two years :)
Glad you hear you’re excited and coming back for round two! What adventures do you want to have this time?
Erin McShane This time around I want to travel outside the peninsula if possible I never did on my first tour.and reconnect with old Korean National friends.
Linking up with your old friends sounds incredibe.
Was there back in 89-90!! Was great and fun back then so I can only imagine how it is now 😀
Traveling the country is a great experience, absolutely
Nice list!! I do think Korea is slowly becoming more of a desired duty station now that the curfew is gone. We rarely stay out past 1am but it's nice to not have to rush home when we are traveling around pen!
Thanks, Mariah! Good point about the curfew
How were they enforcing the curfew? With a bed check?
Great advice provided!
Stationed in Cp. Henry, Daegu, Korea 1990-92; still have fond memories, not so much my unit, but local people met while there! Took a Korean language class on base and made good use of it by travelling as far as i could from base! could, for most part, read bus, train, etc..signs and on 4 day weekends, no one saw me until Tuesday morning! Recall Military associates always asking where i disappeared to thursday after work! Also was last unit in Korea, 249th MP Det.a co-worker wanted to go with me on one of my excursions and i agreed! I took Buses, Subways, Trains to little small quiet towns, and when we were someplace far from base and he did not see any signs in English or any Westerners, i believe he was quite uncomfortable and told me he changed his mind! fair enough just pointed way back, i was not about to escort him back, and saw him following Tuesday and that was that!
Thank you for being concise! Very informative too
Absolutely! Thanks for the comment.
Thank you for sharing 🇺🇸and your service
Btw your videos are so helpful thank you!!!
You're videos are super helpful, would love to see some more house tours too.
Thank you! I have recently moved back to the States, so no promises on more house tours. Do you know what you are looking for in a home? If so, I might have the right footage for another home tour video.
Dragoon Valley 1st/72nd Armor. Dec. '77-'78.
Great videos, thanks for the info. We are set to PCS this month and are super excited for a new adventure. -Heather
Woo! Best of luck with your move. I hope it all goes as smoothly as possible.
Thank you. Very helpful 🙏🏽
Nice!
Super helpful.
So helpful! Thank you. I'll be moving there with my 2 girls (c. Carroll). I really want to know housiiiing
Thank you so much, i was considering KR but your comments about air pollution zonk it for me...thanks, i do not miss the air polution in AF or Vietnam
🤷 Real Talk. Best of luck to you
Great tips! How is the MWR or USO for setting up trips? There are a few places that I would like to travel to while I am there but I'm curious if someone else has done the leg work for setting them up.
Ooohhh. Solid question. I'll have to look more into that one. There is a 'Discover Seoul' travel agency that has a facility next to the PX/Texas Road House. I know they book tours out of there, but I never walked in there. There are also a couple Korean companies that post trips on Facebook - hikes, party in a cabin for Thanksgiving, go skiing, etc.
And Thank You!
I go there in February. I’m a new soldier, but I’m engaged and plan to marry next month. How does that work? Can I bring POV to Korea?
If you can get the Army to recognize your marriage (I.e. complete all the paperwork and verify it is in the system) in time to adjust your PCS orders then adjust your movement plans, then you will be able to. Good luck. I also hope you are marrying the partner of your dreams!
Does living off post mean all your bah goes to the apartment of your choice ? Or do u get the difference of whatever your rent is and bah ?
You don’t get to pocket OHA the way you do BAH. See the tips in the video for how to save money in other ways.
We are PCS there in September I’m super nervous 😟 I have two kids coming...
What is it that makes you feel nervous?
Erin McShane just adjusting to being in another country and the time zone. I never been outside the country.
This is a great first experience out of country. The people are very nice and you feel safe anywhere/everywhere you go at all hours.
Can I stay longer than a year of I like a Korea? Like the full 4 years?
Officers in queue for a command or other kd slot are expected to stay longer than one year. Enlisted can reenlist for Korea or apply to stay. There really are no guarantees for officers or enlisted, but both have good chances of their requests to stay being granted.
What does PCS mean? I thought it was something to do with bringing a PC to Korea.
Nice! Permanent Change of Station. It is one of the military's never-ending list of acronyms. It's when a service member moves to a new job/duty location.
Can you still travel with Covid restrictions?
Not for tourism and exploring, as per guidance pertaining to health protection condition C. USFK and 8thArmy publish increased or relaxed travel restrictions as the health protection condition level changes (as the number of cases in Korea fluctuates).
Hi I’m a private in aviation a 15f I PCs there in November and I was wondering about what are the coronavirus restrictions
For now, expect to be escorted to quarantine and live in the quarantine barracks for your first 14 days in country.
Erin McShane so should I get a passport now while I’m still in the states and do you know anything about aviation thefe
Yes, recommended you get a passport while in the States. I don't know too much about the aviation life here.
Erin McShane appreciate it
Could increase you time in Korea now?
Yes
What is meant by PCS?
Permanent Change of Station. When a military member and their family moves from one job and job location to a new job and job location.
Your mushroom stamping What?
It's true you don't have to worry about Koreans stealing anything, but Americans on the other hand...
You right.
My first duty assignment is Camp Humphreys South Korea. I’m a little worried about how the South Korea culture is towards the LGBT community since I am part of that…
Hmm. Great question. I didn’t see any openly LGBT Koreans and heard of their disposition against. Never heard of any actions taken against members of the community. There are probably some blogs that share useful insights.
Korea is a conservative country and same sex marriage is still illegal here. That being said, there are lots of LGBTQ+ friendly spots in Seoul, particularly in Itaewon. At the moment, due to the pandemic, Seoul is off limits but hopefully that won't be the case forever. I think it's also important to network and make friends with like minded people so maybe joining a FB group would be helpful? That's how I made lots of friends here.