MY HUBBY'S GOING TO KOREA...HOW CAN OUR KIDS AND I GO WITH HIM?

Ekaterina - posted on 04/04/2012

Hello. You can definetly come here with your children, it takes time for the paperwork, because you will need command sponsorship from the army and viza to Korea. But once your paperwork is good, you can come. Some people think that South Korea is dangerous because of North Korea, but it is not true. Its very safe here and many things to do. Bad thing here for families is that Asian girls like American men a lot. There are many bars and clubs here and single soldiers can easily find Korean girlfriends. The tour is 3 years, but usually married men who come here without their families, stay only 1 year and then come back. As far as I know the minimum stay is 1 year, and maximum (if you ask for it) is 3 years.

Yvette - posted on 04/04/2012

My husband and I have been seperated for almost 8 months, He joined at 35 thinking the army would be a good opportunity for our family. So far this hasn't been such a good idea. We were rocky before he left , then I found out he was speaking to another female from home every day (venting) about our marriage. He just got orders to go to Korea for 3 years and is now telling me we can't go. Do u know if this is true? At this point I don't know if he wants out and thats an easy way and would leave me with both boys by myself. One his and one mine.

Ekaterina - posted on 03/25/2012

I am in Korea now with my husband. It is a nice, safe place to live. There are several posts in Korea and Camp Casey is not the best, because it is 2 hours distance from Seoul and major post at Yongsan. If you decide to come here, it is better to get command sponsorship, then you can get a free flight (both ways) for you and your children, your luggage will be moved for free and you can get a car here and some other better things. If you dont get command sponsorship, you can still come here because you can get housing. But without command sponsorship you have to pay yourself for your flight, you might have difficulties to get a car, because usually soldiers can have a car if they are above E6-E7 level. It might be better for your husband to come here first, see how it works and arrange your visit. Basically, command sponsorship will solve most of problems, so its important to get it, even if you have to wait. But once you come here, you will like the country. There are many things to do in Seoul. People are friendly. And moslty people who stayed here, want to come back again. I dont know how old your kids are, but if they old enough you might even get a part-time job, because English is in high demand in Korea.

Sandy - posted on 03/21/2012

Suki, I would love to hear more. My husband is going to Camp Casey at the end of April. We have a 3 year old and a 3 month old as well. We've applied for command sponsorship, but we've heard it takes up to 6 months until you find out. I'm planning on going non command sponsorship in June or July. My family is concerned because it is so close to the DMZ and scared about the new North Korean leadership. I want my family to be safe, but since they now allow command sponsorship to Camp Casey, it seems like it's been deemed safe. My main concerns are safety and medical care for my children. I know if we go non command sponsored, we aren't given priority for medical care. Is there a hospital on post? Can I get regular check ups and immunizations for my baby? Is there dental care? My husband is also concerned that I will feel isolated, but I am less concerned about that. As long as I have my family, I'm happy. Any info you could give would help a lot. Thanks!

Suki - posted on 05/31/2011

we took the 3 year option for the money, its an extra 350 a month to volunteer and with my hubs already banking a ton being a warrant, i think it was wise to go. besides i found a nice place already and my mother is coming with me to make sure we can get the rent lowered more. its good for us to go because we get choice of duty station afterwards. The young soldiers are everywhere even here in the states, we wont be hanging with any of them and i will show my husband around the country and do fun family oriented things like we always have done everytime we were there. I love the culture as it is part of mine and i love the people. its a great experience and i am glad i never regretted going. i wont regret this trip either. theres even school on casey and daycare now as of last year and i been in contact with the pto there at the school and they are excited to meet me and my kids. already feeling the family oriententedness and the love.

Jennifer - posted on 05/31/2011

My husband left for lorea a week after our daughter was born. We were not able to get command sponorship. Since he went alone he is only there for 1yr instead of 3yrs if we went with him. From what my hubby tells me he is not a fan of Korea. Its mostly younger soldiers new to the army with no families who just wanna party n drink all the time. Good luck!!!

Suki - posted on 05/30/2011

Korea has been as an armitice for over 50 years. the north always grandstands and talks trash. its actually safer in korea than on a US cities streets, i loved it and rarely ever even noticed the north. They are prepared for any contingency that the north may come up with including blowing the heck out of the mountain passes leading south and creating a gauntlet for any advancing southward north korean army. As a korean american and a person whos been to korea many many times, i can say its safe there as they are very aware of the situation and very prepared in case the north does decide to be crazy. The only way they would attack the south is to physically come over the border and try to whoop us. The ROK army is bad, they got korea covered and the US troops over there are doing what they rarely do here in the states, they actually soldier so they are on point too. I think its safe for you to take the step to be with your husband and go to korea. Good luck!

Suki - posted on 05/30/2011

go through the efmp procedures make sure the efmp person at your base signs off on it and also go through the proper passport procedures. Me and my kids are headed to camp casey in dec command sponsored with my husband. It wasnt that hard to get the appts, and get the clearance and then get the orders issued. you pay for your cat and you would send most of your luggage whole baggage and the government would pick up that tab. you are authorized 50% of your household goods. This is my 3rd trip to korea, second to camp casey 2nd command sponsored but 1st even though wasnt command sponsored army reimbursed me travel pay and dislocation allowance...it also helped that i knew i could fly there by myself without army approval. When i got there i went to acs and applied for SOFA status until my husbands deros/pcs date. They adjusted my cola for there and allowances and we stayed there the entire time with most things available to us including hospitals, schools, commissary, px, full mwr activities/facilities etc. the command didnt officially sponser me but they kind of did...it was weird.

Tamitha - posted on 01/26/2011

I talked to my friend that went. She was NOT command sponsored, but went on her own. You can find housing on or off base, and you still get all your allowances, but moving is up to you.

Jessica - posted on 01/25/2011

My husband and I have talked about this, because we know a lot of people being sent there. We have heard from them that if they do a one year tour they go alone. But if they do anything longer and you want to go that there is a 18 month waiting list for dependents to go. So even if your husband goes for 2 years you could end up having to wait 18 months before you can go. so its better to just go for a 1 year tour. (A friend of mine wanted to go with her husband and this is what she told me. So I hope it helps)

Catherine - posted on 01/24/2011

You COULD but it would extend him longer there because you need a command sponsorship. Most soldiers here are leaving their families here just so that they are there for one year opposed to 2 or 3 years.

Tamitha - posted on 01/24/2011

I'm Air Force vs Army - but I've had friends that lived in Korea. They all liked it - takes some getting use to, but every new base does. As for traveling - I would assume that IF you get you command sponsorship, (I would think you'd have no problem seeing as he has orders, but I could be wrong) the army can book you a flight - or what we do is fly space A. If you have orders you'lll be high priority, but even without them you can fly (at least we AF spouses do). With Space A - you get the same as a regular flight for luggage, but no fees. If you are moving, 2 checked bags per person and a carry on. Depending on the type of aircraft (I've flown on both C-17 and C-5) you can also bring food, blankets, and some bring air mattresses (depending on the amount of space per flight). It is a LONG flight. From the USA to our current home in Germany - 10 - 12 hours from the east coast - you can also buy lunches with the flight - but it's all cold food. You can buy drinks after you go through security.

Good luck with everything - I know I wouldn't be willing to give up my hubby after 8 months!

Fallon - posted on 01/23/2011

I was in the army and I remember there being wives that went to Korea with their husbands. If I am not mistaken usually it is a year long tour if you go unaccompanied (no wife or kids) or you can volunteer for I think it is 2 years (possibly 3) and you can bring your spouse. I was in 4 years ago, but that is how it was when I was in. You could bring your spouse but you had to volunteer for an extra year. I am not sure if this applies to both North and South Korea, but look into it.

Michelle - posted on 01/23/2011

You say your husband just returned from Afghan 8 months ago and as far as my husband has told me he can request a year of gain time(spelling) meaning he would not be able to leave the U.S. for at least a year and they would have to transfer him to a different unit at his current duty. Now that being said, the last I had heard about Korea if his orders are a pcs and are for longer than a year, you CAN get command sponsorship regardless of his rank. IF you get command sponsorship, there are a few things that will happen. A.. you will have to jump through hoops to get your pet to Korea, plus it will have to sit in quarentine in Korea for months. B..you and your children would fly commercial more than likely and you would only take the nessisties. Everything else would be pack and shipped like any other PCS move. As far as what Camp Casey is like, you wouldn't catch me or my family there. Camp Casey is the closest base to the DMZ, with all the drama that goes on in Korea and especially there on a weekly basis that you don't hear about in the news. I wouldn't subject my children to that. My husband did his first tour of duty at casey 2 years ago, it was before we got married, but the stories I have heard, I wouldnt go. BUT thats just me. I understand you wanting to be with your soldier, but IMO if his time in Casey is only a year and not a two year tour, maybe it would be safer for you and your children to stay state side.





***edited*** its called dwell time or stabilization, he should get at least a year.