SGM (Ret.) Joseph Terry- From My Service in Korea, I learned…

From My Service in Korea, I learned…

SGM (Ret) JOSEPH TERRY

May 1996-Nov 2017

The dates you see noted above are correct! I served my last 9 ½ years on active duty and retired and worked the remaining years as a contractor. I had been trying to get an assignment to Korea for several years and had almost given up. When I was stationed at Fort Lewis, Washington and my wife and daughter decided to go on vacation to Korea. One day while they were still there, my Administrative Assistant came into my office and said “SGM, you just came down on assignment for Korea”! I could not believe it! I notified my wife and of course, she was very excited.

I received information from the Unit I would be assigned to, which was the Air and Missile Defense Division of CJG3 at Yongsan Garrison. We also had an Air Defense Liaison Detachment at the Osan Air Force Base. I was assigned a sponsor, and my journey began. I, along with my wife Sonya and daughter, Joanna arrived in Korea the evening of 7 May 1996. It was quite an adventure from Gimpo Airport riding through Seoul to Yongsan and arriving at the Dragon Hill Lodge where we stayed for 40 Days awaiting our Quarters there at Yongsan Garrison, just down the street from the Dragon Hill Lodge.

My Unit was comprised of US Service Members and 2 ROK Officers). I do not recall who gave it to me, however, I received a small book entitled Ugly Koreans, Ugly Americans. Before your mind drifts too far, it is a book about Cultural and behavioral differences between Koreans and Americans. I was so impressed after I read it, I made it a requirement for my Soldiers to read when they arrived at the Unit.

I believe a primary reason the US ROK Alliance is so strong is that we try to understand we have difference Cultural and behavioral differences however, learning and understanding our differences helps build a very lasting bond. I took every opportunity I could both on and off duty to learn more about Korean culture and to share mine as well. I had the opportunity to be the Chairman of the Dragon Hill Chapter of the Non Commissioned Officers Association which provided many opportunities to create relationships with ROK, KATUSA Service members off base in the Korean communities. I met many Korean business and community Leaders and still communicate with some of them even since being back in the US the past 6 years.

There were programs within Eight Army and United States Forces Korea that amplified our relationships. Our NCOA Chapter as well as other organizations both US and Korean had programs that fostered goodwill and built on these strong relationships. As an example, our chapter sponsored the Young Nak Orphanage, and the Bosung Girls Middle and High Schools.  There were two unique programs our Chapter implemented. One was an English Camp with the Korean Girls School, and the other was a Military Introduction Program. In the latter program, our NCOA Chapter members and other Volunteers along with US service members, ROK and KATUSA service members. In a nutshell, the students were shown what it was like to be a military service member and how we worked together as an Alliance. This included an introduction to Physical Fitness Training, Drill and Ceremonies, samples of Meals Ready to Eat for lunch etc. The program was very well received by all. We also had Holiday introduction programs, American and Korean Christmas Programs, and information about Thanksgiving in the US and Chuseok in South Korea.

When I retired and decided to stay in Korea, I served as an IMCOM-K Contractor as an Exercise Operations Analyst and a few years later as the General Manager for the Base publications Morning Calm, Crimson Sky Newspapers, and the Seoul Survivor Annual publication. This continued my opportunities to be immersed in not only the Military but also the private sector.

I had the opportunity to travel all over the Peninsula including visiting the DMZ on several occasions. I think it is very important for all stationed there to learn and share our countries’ different cultures and behaviors. Also, to experience firsthand what it means to be a member of a non-wavering alliance that continues to strengthen every day. I truly enjoyed and am thankful for the 20-plus years I lived in Korea. “We go together” is not a cliché, it’s a living reality!

Joseph Terry, SGM, U.S. Army (Ret)

NCOA Executive Director

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