By Sgt. 1st Class (Ret.) Vincent L. Abril
“Cultural connection beyond the big picture”
From My Service in Korea, I learned why the ROK-US alliance has remained so strong since the Korean War. I felt accepted and loved through the many military and civilian relationships I built over three tours, totaling eight years of service on the peninsula. I learned to embrace and love Korean culture. I learned firsthand how the resilience and determination of the Korean people led them to become one of the world’s economic powerhouses and exporters of culture through music, film, and food. I also learned so much about myself through interactions with military and civilian friends and family who accepted me as one of their own.
My journey to Korea began in Puerto Rico in 1999 when a huge opportunity knocked at my door at the San Juan Military Entrance Processing Station (MEPS) when an army career counselor told me I could serve in Korea after committing to joining the active army. I could not believe my ears. I had heard so much about the Korean War from elders on the island who served in the 65th Infantry Regiment during the war. I was overwhelmed with excitement, so I signed a contract that day to seal the deal.
I arrived in Korea for my first assignment with the 20th Support Group in Daegu. A couple of months later, I was sent to the port city of Busan, as I joined the 4th Quartermaster (Airborne) Detachment, where I served for over two years as a maintenance foreman working exclusively with Korean Nationals. During this time, I met my wife through my platoon sergeant. She was a Korean National employee herself, working for the Morale Welfare and Recreation (MWR) division on base. After tying the knot, we spent the remainder of our time traveling across the peninsula before receiving orders to Heidelberg, Germany.
Fast forward seven years, and we received orders back to Korea in 2010. This time, I returned to Korea with my own little family. I was assigned to the 2nd Combat Aviation Brigade, where I traveled the peninsula, covering stories about the successes of our servicemembers and the ROK-US alliance as the brigade’s public affairs manager. During this time, our son was born. My wife worked as a bank manager on base, and we both immersed ourselves in the Korean and military communities before departing in 2014 to Fort Bliss, Texas.
While in Texas, we missed Korea very much. To our surprise, my branch manager offered us another opportunity to serve in Korea. Without hesitation, we made it official and landed right back to where it all started in Daegu. I was assigned to the 19th Expeditionary Sustainment Command, serving as the commanding general’s public affairs manager for two years before finally being approved to retire from the army.
Julie and I moved our family to Suwanee, Georgia, in 2019 after retirement to be close to a large, vibrant Korean community where we enjoy the best of both worlds. When I look back on it all, Korea has played a significant part in my life. When we say “Katchi Kapshida,” some may take it as another cool phrase, but we lived it every day where the rubber meets the road with our military and civilian counterparts and family members. Whether living in a highrise apartment forging relationships with our Korean neighbors or sleeping in a tent together during military field exercises, indeed, “We Go Together.” We are beyond grateful for the opportunity to be a part of history as we lean forward in the foxhole together, deterring aggression and maintaining an alliance that has remained incredibly strong for over 70 years.
What did you learn from serving in Korea? Let us know –
Please email us your story and photos to KDVA.MyServiceInKorea@gmail.com.
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