From My Service in Korea, I Learned – Gregory Asher
From my service in Korea, 1976-1977 I learned just how strong the bond of camaraderie, caring, and concern for your fellow soldier can be. My service in Korea was at Camp Casey assigned to 2nd Infantry Division HQ & HQ Company as part of the Division Transportation Office as a Movement Specialist.
My responsibilities included preparing flight manifests, receipt and preparation of all DTO correspondence. The division transportation office manages all aspects of moving personnel, equipment, and supplies within and beyond the division’s area of operations. They plan, coordinate, and execute all modes of transportation, ensuring timely and efficient delivery of resources. Their key responsibilities include route planning, movement coordination, and ensuring synchronized movements to mitigate congestion.
Ensuring the readiness of our battalion’s military equipment, a task that required meticulous record-keeping and detailed reporting.
I worked under a Major, 1st Lt and Master Sergeant who were exceptionally detail-oriented and strict, demanding nothing short of perfection. One of my key duties was preparing Aircraft manifest, which documented the condition/status and receipt and or shipment of military equipment. The report had to be exact and correct, and given the limitations of typewriters at the time, the best we could achieve was an original copy with three carbon duplicates. This meant the report had to be typed several times depending on the amount of copies required.
I would submit the manifest to the NCOIC DTO, where he would scrutinize it line by line, checking for typos and misspelled words. Each submission was a meticulous process, reinforcing the importance of precision and attention to detail.
During the winters of 1975-76 and 1976-77, I would have to prepare some of these manifest as the Chinooks land and then a soldier would walk up and hand me a list, the only problem was trying to prepare them with gloves on. The weather was so cold that my hands and fingers were freezing.
During my off hours I would frequently explore the surrounding villages and the culture of the Korean people. I got to know the area fairly well and became friends with a lot of ROK alliance and also the civilian people in the village. I was invited into their homes and taught about a lot of their delicacies. I was shown around and explained what some of their cultures meant and their rich history. I would at times be driven around and areas identified.
I fell in love with this country and will forever cherish the memories that I attained during my deployment there and would love the idea of a re-visit. Especially to the village of Dongducheon (TDC).
What did you learn from serving in Korea? Let us know –
Sharing your experiences from serving in Korea can be a powerful way to connect with others who have had similar experiences. By sharing your story, you may be able to help others who are currently serving in Korea or who are preparing to do so. You can share insights about the culture, the people, and the challenges you faced while serving. Your story can also help to shed light on the sacrifices that service members and their families make in order to protect our freedoms. So, if you have a story to share, we encourage you to take the time to put it down in writing and send it to KDVA.MyServiceInKorea@gmail.com along with any photos that help to tell your story.
Your contribution may be just what someone needs to hear in order to feel connected and supported.
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