My daughter-in-law is to go to Korea for her first duty station. How does it work for my son to go with her? Where would he live? Are there jobs for civies? Will they live on post or the economy? Is it possible to have her assignment changed since she is the only person to take care of her mother because her older brother is stationed in Iraq? So many questions we need answered so that future plans can be made.

I would love to hear from anybody about any of the subjects I have posted. Thank you very much.

GBA

It is possible, but probably not. She would have to get command sponsorship from her commander, after she gets to her unit.

Here is the web site for the United States forces Korea it has alot about what units are there and how to go about command sponsorship.
http://www.usfk.mil/USFK/index.html

About her mother the best place I think for advice would her local JAG office. They might be able to help with what to do.

Unfortunately being away is part of the military as ou already know by her older brother is in Iraq. There are many Soldiers with spouses and or kids that are stationed in Korea for a year. Some may even do multiple one year tours over there throughout their career.

Seeing as your daughter in law has a brother in the Army she proabably understood that there was a chance that she would be separated from her family at some point.

I am not saying that it won't happen, but I know about a lot of Soldiers that would have rather taken their family than leave them back home, but that was not an option for them. On the other hand I have heard of some that were lucky enough to have their family go over with them, but they tended to do pretty lengthy tours over there.

Good luck and keep us updated on what you find out. Is your daughter in law still in basic? If not, have her drop a line here also if she has any questions or comments about stuff in general. We are lucky to have some really intelligent Soldiers and NCOs here.

Thank you, all of you for your support and information. Yes, you are right, she did know that it might happen. Maybe it is my son that did not think she would have to go.... hard to say. Today when we checked her stats on the internet, now where it said Korea for her duty station, it says NO DATA ?????? I am anxious to see what is up now. She is at AIT in Maryland for the next month or so. I am worried about her mother too. She is one step away from helpless. (Financial and health) And her mother is alone. I guess I would feel better if my daughter in law was able to stay state side for her mother.

good luck with her.

I know a few things from my year in Korea. First, command sponsorship for you son is very hard to get because of the lack of housing and the instability of North Korea (it would also likely mean a 3 year tour instead of 1 year). It will take a lot of frequent e-mails & calls to get so lucky. If it doesn't work out that way, he can still go with her, but everything (plane tickets, off post housing, etc.) will not be paid for with military benefits. Also, since most soldiers are unaccompanied, there is very little free time for soldiers to spend with family members. He could get a job, but again it's hard because of the agreement made with South Korea to give local nationals priority for civilian jobs. The "no data" info on AKO probably just means that she doesn't have a pinpoint assignment (they will assign her to a unit when she arrives). She can try and call her branch manager, who may or may not be reasonable, to have her assignment changed to CONUS. However, she may get deployed 3 months later. I suggest doing the Korea year unaccompanied and focusing on getting the next assignment where you want it. She'll get an extra $300-400 per month for overseas pay & family seperation pay.

She can go to http://www-8perscom.korea.army.mil/ and click on the left where it says Your Assignment Information. She will have to log in using her AKO. It will give more information there about her assignment than ASK. Also, on that main page, in the same menu, is Command Sponsorship/Joint Domicile. She can request command sponsorship there.

Wonderful http...thank you. I have enjoyed it myself. My son and daughter in law will be excited to access this site.

US Military....I remember!!!

ONE UNIT ... ALL FAMILY ... ONE GOAL

I'm currently stationed here in Korea. Your/her situation is difficult. It will take a lot to have her mother/brother to get command sponsorship because Korea is still a "restricted hardship duty tour!" But if she can visit JAG or ACS in a post in Maryland they might be able to help her out. I know ACS can be helpful when it comes to families. Also make sure "the daughter" is claiming her mom and brother as a dependent. If they're not already, it'll take time to go through. So do it now. But they just got to make sure that they cannot support themselves. It is also possible if she can talk to her sponsor about it! But since she doesn't have a pinpointed assignment, it'll be hard to do. All soldiers go here to Yongsan Garrison first to in-process into EUSA. They'll spend about a day or two here in Yongsan and then she will recieve her pinpointed assignment! REPLY to luckynnbc@yahoo.com if you have anymore questions. I have friends that can tell me all these so if you have any more questions, reply back! I'm also here in Yongsan so it be easy for me to ask around, i'll be more than happy to help y'all out! Also, give me her MOS! And check those sites above!

I had a soldier go to Korea and they would not sponsor his spouse. He had to fly her out there on his own dime and spent money out of his own pocket to put her up in an apartment on the economy. It was very hard on them because they would not let him live off post so he did not spend that much time with her. I guess a little is better than none?

I did two one year tours back to back in Korea, with my ex-wife. I inquired with my unit when I got there, and obtained permission from them to bring my wife over. The 2nd Infantry Division has a program called the Permanant Warrior Pass. Upon approval from a soldiers Batallion commander, the soldier is given a pass that allows him/her to live off post, and to travel to and from work and home during curfew hours. I did it for 2 years, and it was rather nice. My wife had access to medical, commissary, and all other facilities provided for Active Duty soldiers. I know that not everybody goes to 2ID, but where you get stationed has an impact on what you can do to bring your spouse over.

quote:

All soldiers go here to Yongsan Garrison first to in-process into EUSA. They'll spend about a day or two here in Yongsan and then she will recieve her pinpointed assignment!

Not entirely true. My orders had me to the 1st Replacement Detachment at Camp Coiner, but when I got off the plane in Osan, I was immediately put on a bus to Camp Moble and the 2ID Replacement Center. Same with everybody I knew that went to 2ID.

Wonderful information and advice from everyone. I will be glad when everything is final and she is on her way to where ever she is going. The tension is building as she gets closer to finishing AIT. I will be happy when she can have internet access so she can get in here and be a bit more specific about her concerns. Thank you all!!

Your daughter-in-law can always try a swap. There's always someone in Basic or AIT looking to head over to Korea, but eventually, she will have to go over...down the road somewhere, because she obviously didn't sign a CONUS only contract.

As for your son being able to join her, that will all depend on the unit she lands with there, and as you can see from the responses, it varies.

As for her staying to take care of her mom, they are either going to say not a problem, your brother is serving, we will re-assign you, OR they going to ask why it wasn't brought up with her recruiter when she signed her contract, actually they'll probably ask the latter anyway.

Last but not least, the year passes more quickly than one thinks, nobody knows better than the Soldier that absence makes the heart grow fonder.

Good Luck to all involved, I hope it works out for the best!

Ok heres the scoop. And what Im about to say is the absolute truth. I've been here for three years I know what Im talking about. Me and my wife are both in the military and Ive had to do alot of research on this. First dautgher and law can bring your son over here. As of 1 Nov. the DOD will pay for what ever location that your spouse is staying at. The army will not pay for your dependants travel because they didnt authorize it, i.e command sponsorship. But tickets are not to bad about $1200 from korea to the east coast. Lets start with the positives.If he does come over, he will be authorized what is called OHA(Overseas Housing Allowance plus utilitys. Plus almost all the housing off post comes fully furnished. As long as you negitive issues hanging over you your command will authorize you to reside with your dependants. It's almost a given. They need barracks space bad in this country. Trust me. Your spouse diffently can make your say in Korea enjoyable. Your spouse has full access to health care and on post facilitys. Granted if you need health caree theirs a chance you could get pushed off-post but I prefer it they pay for it anyway. Now the negitives. No POV, Period. But public transportation isn't bad over here and bikes are a dime a dozen. Also SEPRATS pay is up to your unit commanders discreation. It's 50/50 because were talking alot of money. The rules changes so if your authorized SEPRATS your authorized 100% cola which is about $800 dollars for an E-4 and below with one dependant. As far as jobs forget about on-post. Koreans have priority because of the current SOFA agreement. Off-Post work depends on the career field. Its total up to your son and dauther in law but Im more then will to help anybody that trully values family.