Military Wife Confessions

COMMAND SPONSORED vs NONCOMMAND SPONSORED

From a family viewpoint, there are two types of tours for military personnel in Korea. Of approximately 37,000 US military positions in Korea, only about 3,000 are command sponsored two-year tours which permit families at government expense and allow a full range of government benefits. Out of the 7000 personnel assigned to Osan, approximately 400 are command sponsored. Most command sponsored billets are for mission essential positions (commanders, section commanders, first sergeants and other identified key personnel).

ANY COMMAND SPONSORED BILLET MUST BE APPLIED FOR AND APPROVED THROUGH THE STATESIDE MPF. The remainder are unaccompanied tours, also known as "noncommand sponsored," "hardship," or "remote" tours. Because Korea is a potential combat zone, for security and evacuation purposes, the number of family members in country has been restricted. To enforce this, the US Congress has severely limited the military benefits normally available to families. Command sponsored families have full access to base exchanges, commissary, medical care, schools and other facilities. They are authorized to live in government housing, or if it's not available, receive financial assistance with their rent (Overseas Housing Allowance). They can be issued government furnishings for their quarters. The sponsor's ration control spending limits reflect the actual family size. Personnel on an unaccompanied tour are not authorized to bring families to Korea. If families are left behind in the States, they may receive housing, exchange, commissary, medical and other benefits at a military installation near their home, and are eligible to be moved to a DESIGNATED LOCATION that is cited in the member's PCS orders at full government expense.

If a service member DOES ELECT to relocate his non-command sponsored dependents to Korea, transportation costs--per diem and with dependent rate Dislocation Allowance ARE NOT payable. Depending on the job and its location, the servicemember may be required to live in the barracks, dormitory or BEQ/BOQ. This is considered a potential combat area and not suitable for family members. In any case, a non-command sponsored family is not authorized government quarters or financial assistance in paying off-base rent. Medical and dental care is provided on a space available basis to all family members. Even when care is available, the family may not live near the medical facility and may have difficulty getting there. Personnel below grade TSG are not authorized to register a privately owned vehicle in USFK. Ration control restrictions on non-command sponsored personnel may also cause personal hardship. School age children who are not command sponsored are authorized attendance at Department of Defense schools only on a space-available basis. However, no children are being accepted at most schools because the schools are at or near maximum capacity. Currently, children must either interrupt their schooling, be tutored at home, or attend private schools in the community which can be a serious educational hardship for children and a financial hardship for the family.

Geographically Separated Units Attached to Osan

Pil-sung Range (51 Electronic Warfare Training Sq DSN 784-6387, FAX 784-6388. Pil-sung Range is located at the foot of Mt Taebeck, one of the highest mountains in Korea. It is 160 miles due east of Osan and takes about 4 1/2 hours travel time by road. It is now manned by U.S. & Korean Civilian Contractors. There is a dining facility, Club, gym facilities, cable TV, video library and one medic. It is VERY remote.

Ko-on-ni Range (51 Range Sq DSN 784-6112/6113) Ko-on-ni Range is approx. 45 minutes by road from Osan Air Base but is still considered quite remote. It is now manned by U.S. & Korean Civilian Contractors. The compound is small (1 1/2 miles in size) but there is a rec center, gym, ball courts, sauna and jacuzzi. Bring home recipes as the dining facility will use them. Ko-on-ni has an official Air Force mascot, a very friendly and much appreciated dog.

Camp Red Cloud (604 ASOC Sq DSN 732-6142 (also Camp Casey 730-2331), 607 Weather DSN 736-1113, 3rd ROK Liaison DSN 732-6703) Camp Red Cloud is an Army post located approx. 15 miles north of Seoul near the city of Uijongbu(we jong boo). A few people are located at nearby Camp Casey and are in contact with Camp Red Cloud personnel daily. A shuttle bus runs between Red Cloud, Casey and Camp Stanley. Out of 1000 personnel assigned to Red Cloud, approx. 200 are Air Force. Most personnel reside on base in dorms or barracks. Personnel may be out in the field once per month or TDY quite often depending on the unit. The basic menities are available (PX, shoppette, clubs, gym, craft center, library) but the commissary is at Camp Casey. No family housing is available and there is no housing office. Any command sponsored personnel find housing in the city of Uijongbu. Even though Red Cloud is located near a city of 180,000 it is still considered a remote due to the nature of the mission.

Taegu/Waegwan/Camp Carroll/Camp Walker/Camp George/Camp Henry(51 TRANS, DSN 765-8225/8263 (located at Waegwan), 51MMS, Det 1 DSN 766-4035/4036 (located at Taegu) 607 Weather DSN 764-4333 and AFELM JCIS DSN 764-4781 (both located at Camp Walker). Air Force personnel are scattered between Camp Carroll (near Waegwan) and Taegu Air Base near the city of Taegu. Camps Walker, George, and Henry are close to Taegu Air Base. The Camp Henry SITES gives information on this area. Taegu is located approx. 160 miles south of Osan Air Base. All "bases" are either US Army, Korean, or a combination of the two. 51TRANS (Waegwan) is a depo rebuilding center and all personnel reside off base. Only 3 USAF are assigned here. There is a small gym, pool, small PX/commissary, mini mall and it is considered very remote. US Army are assigned here also but the number of personnel is unknown at this time.

The 607 MMS is the "caretaker" unit for Taegu Air Base. Approx. 25 people of different AFSC's are assigned here. All personnel reside in former Air Force Officer dorms which are basically small apartments. There is a small BX/Shoppette, snack bar, gym and other typical amenities available. The commissary is at Camp Walker (8 miles and 30 minutes drive across town). There is no dining facility and all personnel receive BAS. Along with the Korean Air Force (ROKAF), there are 110-120 army personnel stationed here. There is only one command sponsored billet (commander).

607 Weather/AFELM JCIS is located on Camp Walker. Very few and all reside on post in army barracks.

607 MMS is located in the middle of a ROKAF base approx. 10 miles from Camp Hialeah. Camp Hialeah is in the city of Pusan, the second largest city in; Korea. Approx. 9 USAF personnel are assigned here. E-6 and above have the option of sharing base quarters or residing downtown on single rate BAQ . E-5 and below reside in USAF barracks at Camp Hialeah. See the Camp Hialeah SITES for information about base services. 607 MMS maintain wartime readiness materials and the majority of AFSC's here are CE types. No command sponsored billets available.

607 COMM is located next door to 607 MMS. There are 4 USAF personnel assigned to this unit. The Site Chief (E-7 slot) is a command sponsored billet. Personnel E-5 and below reside at Camp Hialeah, E-6 and above have the option of sharing base quarters or residing downtown on single rate BAQ. See the Camp Hialeah SITES.

There are a few Defense Logistics Assignments to Kimhae. These folks work at the AMC Terminal. Approx. 17 USAF are assigned here. DLA assignments fall under AFOSI at Bolling AFB and the POC is DCMCI in Dayton Ohio at DSN 986-6401. There are also some DCAMO personnel assigned that work on the F4's, F15's and F16's at Kimhae. Their DSN is 763-7008.

Wonju (Camp Long) 7th AOG DSN 721-3512/3410. Camp Long (US Army post) is the nearest military installation to Wonju. Approx. 18 personnel are assigned here. Calling DSN is highly encouraged. There is no SITES for Camp Long.

Camp Humphreys (607 Weather DSN 753-7810, 607 CCS DSN 753-6919) SITES is available for Camp Humphreys. All USAF personnel reside at Camp Humphreys in a large USAF dorm. Basic services are available at Humphreys. Contract bus service or local bus is available for transport to Osan/Songtan. Camp Humphreys is 12 miles south of Osan Air Base.

NOTE: The 607th Weather Detachments are scattered all over Korea, many at Army installations.

Kwangju (607MMS, Det 3 DSN 786-6314/7314 FAX786-6666) 15 USAF personnel are assigned to this small site. Personnel reside in former Officer quarters which are basically a small apartment. JTR is 20% for this site. (Mail Address: Unit 2120, APO AP 96262-2120)

Suwon Air Base (607MMS, Det 2 DSN 788-5385 FAX 788-5396) 16 USAF personnel are assigned to Suwon. Suwon is a USAF base but is the opposite of Osan AB in that the ROKAF (Korean Air Force) has all the planes and does all the flying. A large Army Patriot Battalion is located here but is a tenant unit of the Air Force. Senior NCO's have the option of living off base (in Songtan) and airmen reside in dorms at Osan AB. All commute daily to Suwon (17 miles north of Osan AB). Suwon has a small BX, snackbar, barbershop, laundry services and dining facility (run by the US Army).

NOTE: Bringing families non-command sponsored is not recommended for any GSU. Many sites are isolated and services are minimal. Housing in the local area can be primitive. Schools are generally NOT available. Employment is scarce.

FOR MANY ASSIGNMENTS TO GEOGRAPHICALLY SEPARATED UNITS, PERSONNEL MAY RECEIVE BAS, COLA, FOREIGN DUTY PAY, AND FAMILY SEPARATION ALLOWANCE. THIS VARIES DEPENDING ON THE ASSIGNMENT, THE MISSION, THE LOCATION, AND VARIOUS OTHER FACTORS. CHECK WITH TMO REGARDING JTR ALLOWANCES. SOME GSU'S ALLOW 20% OF JTR, SOME DO NOT. IT PAYS TO INVESTIGATE. THIS GSU LISTING IS NOT MEANT TO BE ALL INCLUSIVE. THE STAFF AT THE FAMILY SUPPORT CENTER HAS NOT VISITED ALL GSU'S AND SOME INFORMATION IS SECOND HAND. THIS IS MEANT AS A GENERAL GUIDE.

YOUR SPONSOR IS YOUR BEST SOURCE OF INFORMATION ON GSU ASSIGNMENTS! WRITE THEM!

via Military.com