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.

I was born and raised in California, in the Bay Area. My family moved to Oregon during my freshman year of high school after my father retired from AT&T. I enlisted in the U.S. Army infantry on August 29, 1989. At that time, Ft. Benning was the place to be for basic training as an infantry soldier, it was the home of the infantry. After graduating from basic training and advanced infantry training (AIT) in December of 1989, I took one month of leave. I flew from Portland, Oregon to Seattle, Washington, then to Seoul, Korea on January 14th, 1990.

About one week after arriving in Seoul, I can’t remember how many of us, but about a bus load of us were sent up north to Camp Casey. I was at the “turtle farm” for about two weeks when I was assigned to Charlie Company, 2/503 Infantry, 2nd platoon, Camp Hovey. Camp Hovey was a smaller Army base behind Camp Casey. When I arrived at my assigned unit, the unit was preparing for its rotation on the DMZ, I had arrived at just the right time. Our unit prepared by conducting mock combat patrols during the day and night. One particular night we had to lie in a mock ambush for two hours as if we were on the DMZ, it was so cold. I remember thinking to myself how exciting it was, but how miserable it was at the same time. Once on the DMZ, our platoon’s first phase was the patrol phase. We spent 30 days conducting day recon patrols, then night ambush patrols. One memory I have is the constant sound of North Korean and South Korean propaganda. At that time, the DMZ had very large speakers spread out all over different areas from both the North and South. The speakers were used for each side the blast their propaganda towards each other. I remember one day patrol where we were taking a patrol break, and the North Koreans played their national anthem 75 times in a row. This was driving us crazy but that was the point, the propaganda was meant to annoy and harass each other. The South Koreans played a lot of American music, this too was meant to annoy the North Koreans. Funny story is when I came back to the United States, if I heard a radio playing in the background somewhere, I would always think it was propaganda music, kind of funny.

My time spent in Korea was sort of unique. With 2/503 I did my three-month DMZ rotation from February 1990 to May 1990. At that time, the U.S Army started a reduction in force in Korea. The 2/503 was deactivated around June of 1990 so about a handful of us were sent to 5/20 Infantry (Mechanized) who relieved 2/503 on the DMZ. I was assigned to Charlie Company, 5/20 Infantry when 5/20 was starting their guard post phase. Each unit rotates through three assignments on the DMZ. Each phase on the DMZ is one month, patrol phase, guard post phase, and quick reaction force (QRF) phase. After my rotation with 5/20 on the DMZ we returned to Camp Casey in August. In December of 1990, I was given orders for Ft. Carson, Colorado, but the orders were rescinded due to the first Gulf War in August of 1990. Everyone stationed in Korea after January 1990 was involuntarily extended for an additional year due to the first Gulf war. I stayed with 5/20 Infantry until August 1991 when 5/20 Infantry received the Bradley fighting vehicles. Due to this restructuring, a group of us were given new orders for Alpha Company 1/503 Infantry on Camp Howze.

During my time in Korea, I visited many temples and had the opportunity to witness several traditional Korean weddings. These ceremonies were fascinating, showcasing the deep-rooted culture and pride of the Korean people. It was clear to me that they held a strong respect for their heritage. One of the most striking experiences was seeing the older generation still working in the rice paddies. I watched as elderly men and women carried their farming tools and equipment on their backs, yet they walked just as swiftly as we soldiers did while carrying 50 or 60 pounds of gear. I also had the privilege of speaking with many older Koreans who expressed their gratitude for the U.S. military’s role in keeping their country safe. When I was in Korea in 1990, many of them still remembered the war—some had fought in it, while others had lived through it as children. I often sat in restaurants just outside the base, listening to their stories. I believe they appreciated that a young soldier like me took an interest in their experiences and the history of their country. I found it all truly fascinating.

I have so many memories of Korea, and I wish I could write them all down. I spent eight years in the Army, but out of all the places I was stationed, Korea was my favorite assignment. My time there wasn’t perfect, but it was the best experience I had as a young soldier. I’ve told my family many times that if my only military service had been the two years I spent in Korea, I would have been completely satisfied. I had always wanted to experience an overseas assignment, and choosing Korea was one of the best decisions I made. The U.S. Army no longer patrols the DMZ; after the Cold War ended in 1993, we handed that responsibility over to the South Korean Army. Still, I feel honored to have been part of such a historic mission. In all, my time in Korea was from January 1990 to January 1992. I was honored to take part in a historic assignment at the DMZ, protecting freedom’s frontier along the southern boundary of the Korean Peninsula.

I enlisted in the Army in April 1958 and did basic training at Fort Dix, NJ. After basic training, I spent 8 weeks at Fort Gordon, GA, attending MP school. At the end of this training, all but one man was sent to Korea. We flew from Augusta, GA, to Seattle, WA, where we spent most of a week waiting for a troop ship to take us to Korea. The ship stopped in Kodiak, AK, to drop off some families and then on to Yokohama, Japan to drop off more passengers and give us a few hours of shore time. Then it was on to the port of Inchon and debarkation. We were trucked up to ASCOM city to await assignment. After a few days about 24 of us were sent to Hq & Hq Company, US Army Port Inchon. This facility was based on Wolmido Island which is off the coast of Inchon harbor.

I enlisted in the Army in April 1958 and did basic training at Fort Dix, NJ. After basic training, I spent 8 weeks at Fort Gordon, GA, attending MP school. At the end of this training, all but one man was sent to Korea. We flew from Augusta, GA, to Seattle, WA, where we spent most of a week waiting for a troop ship to take us to Korea. The ship stopped in Kodiak, AK, to drop off some families and then on to Yokohama, Japan to drop off more passengers and give us a few hours of shore time. Then it was on to the port of Inchon and debarkation. We were trucked up to ASCOM city to await assignment. After a few days about 24 of us were sent to Hq & Hq Company, US Army Port Inchon. This facility was based on Wolmido Island which is off the coast of Inchon harbor.

At that time this facility was responsible for moving all the troops and material in and out of the country. Since, at that time, the Inchon harbor was undeveloped and tidal elevation changes could reach 30 feet, all troop and material movement was handled by various watercraft and barges operated by members of this company. Military Police assigned to this unit would be doing guard duty at various locations around the port. Since this island is offshore and the predominant weather in the winter comes down from the north, the temperatures get very cold. Doing duty outside in this weather just standing around was not something to look forward to.

When we arrived on the island the personnel sergeant called me in and asked if I would be willing to take the job of the post mail clerk. Since this would be an inside job I jumped at the chance. This job consisted of going to the main post office on shore twice a day, collecting the bags of mail for our units, and returning to the island to sort and distribute it at mail call. In addition to this, I also had other duties which included

assisting the training sergeant during Saturday training sessions. The company commander had a specially prepared Jeep for his transportation, and I had the job of driving him to his various duties. One of these was to go to Seoul on payday to exchange script dollars for Korean won to pay the indigenous help on the base.

 I would put on my M1911 45 caliber pistol, the commander would get the money bag with the cash, and off we would go. After a stop at the officer’s club for lunch, we would go to the exchange. The money that would fill a small satchel on the way up would fill two duffel bags on the way back. In 1958 and 1959 Korea was a proud country but it had seen the ravages of war. Many people had little or nothing. The roads, what few of them there were, were still torn up from war. There were no private automobiles, and the only businesses were small shops selling necessities. I had the opportunity to return to Korea in 1983, just 24 years after I had left. I was amazed to see the transformation. There were superhighways filled with cars. Beautiful buildings and hotels filled the city, and it was obvious the people were prospering. I was taken aback to be thanked as a representative of a country that had assisted them in creating a modern, prosperous society. My service in Korea is a part of my life that I am most proud of.