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I served in Korea from December 2002 to January 2004.  What I learned from serving my country on the Korean peninsula was adaptability and how to work in a high-stakes, fast-paced environment.

I was the Noncommissioned Officer in Charge of Operations at the Pacific Air Force Security Forces Air Base Defense Regional Training Center, better known as “Commando Warrior” at Osan Air Base. I was so happy to have been able to secure a position there and I looked forward to what it entailed.  Cultural awareness and adaptability was something that struck me first off!  Living and working in Korea exposed me to a different culture, customs, and even some language barriers. Of course, working within the security arena of Korea, strategic readiness was a part of my daily job. Korea is a unique duty station due to its proximity to North Korea. I was able to train in high-alert scenarios, reinforcing the importance of being always mission-ready. During theater wide exercises I learned how to understand global military strategy while working in the Headquarters, 7th Air Force Intelligence Cell. My time in Korea gave me a deeper understanding of the U.S. military’s role in global security and the importance of allied cooperation in maintaining stability.

Working with a team of instructors continued to show me that teamwork and camaraderie was instrumental to success. Further instructing Pacific Air Force Security Forces personnel was something I wanted to continue, after my time as an Instructor Supervisor at the U.S. Air Force Security Forces Academy. Serving in Korea meant working closely with both U.S. and Korean forces. I formed strong bonds with fellow Defenders and learned how to operate in a multinational setting. While in Korea, I was also able to volunteer at a local orphanage and myself, and my team, deployed to support potato farmers after a hurricane struck the peninsula.