ID :
21824
Mon, 09/29/2008 - 10:58
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http://m.oananews.org//node/21824
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USFK allows family-accompanied tours for frontline troops
By Byun Duk-kun
SEOUL, Sept. 29 (Yonhap) -- For the first time since the end of the 1950-53 Korean War, frontline U.S. troops here will be able to bring their families to Korea on command sponsorship while they serve their two-year tours, the U.S. Forces Korea (USFK) said Monday.
The new command sponsored tours will replace the one-year family-unaccompanied
tour, which is the only one currently available to most American troops stationed
in the frontline Camp Red Cloud area, according to the USFK.
"This policy change, which offers command sponsorship benefits in an area where
they were not previously available, is part of our overall tour normalization
initiative which will change the tour structure for U.S. service members in
Korea," USFK commander Gen. Walter Sharp was quoted as saying.
The change was made effective immediately, according to Sharp's policy letter,
dated Sept. 24. Troops applying for the new state sponsorship program, however,
have to be stationed in either Camp Red Cloud, Camp Stanley or Camp Jackson, all
in the northern Uijeongbu area.
The move is in line with USFK's long-sought efforts to introduce three-year
family accompanied tours, often referred to by USFK officials as normalized
tours, for most U.S. troops stationed here.
"Our goal is to as rapidly as feasible reach the point when most U.S. service
members can bring their families to Korea and stay here for normal three year
tours," the USFK commander said, according to the USFK Public Affairs Office.
Currently, only about 14 percent of some 28,500 U.S. soldiers in Korea have their
families here on command sponsorship, according to the public affairs office.
"Tour normalization is a win-win situation for everyone. It improves readiness by
keeping our trained forces in place for longer periods of time, improving
continuity, stability, and the retention of regional institutional and cultural
knowledge," Sharp said.
"It demonstrates a strong and visible commitment by the U.S. to the ROK,
signaling we will remain here as long as we are welcomed and wanted," he added,
referring to South Korea by its official name, the Republic of Korea.
Still, available services in Camp Red Cloud area will be limited due to the
shortage or absence of government housing, Defense Department-sponsored schools
or infant related items at PX or commissaries there, according to the USFK.
All applicants are required to be counseled and to sign a document accepting the
limitation of these benefits, it said.
bdk@yna.co.kr
(END)
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SEOUL, Sept. 29 (Yonhap) -- For the first time since the end of the 1950-53 Korean War, frontline U.S. troops here will be able to bring their families to Korea on command sponsorship while they serve their two-year tours, the U.S. Forces Korea (USFK) said Monday.
The new command sponsored tours will replace the one-year family-unaccompanied
tour, which is the only one currently available to most American troops stationed
in the frontline Camp Red Cloud area, according to the USFK.
"This policy change, which offers command sponsorship benefits in an area where
they were not previously available, is part of our overall tour normalization
initiative which will change the tour structure for U.S. service members in
Korea," USFK commander Gen. Walter Sharp was quoted as saying.
The change was made effective immediately, according to Sharp's policy letter,
dated Sept. 24. Troops applying for the new state sponsorship program, however,
have to be stationed in either Camp Red Cloud, Camp Stanley or Camp Jackson, all
in the northern Uijeongbu area.
The move is in line with USFK's long-sought efforts to introduce three-year
family accompanied tours, often referred to by USFK officials as normalized
tours, for most U.S. troops stationed here.
"Our goal is to as rapidly as feasible reach the point when most U.S. service
members can bring their families to Korea and stay here for normal three year
tours," the USFK commander said, according to the USFK Public Affairs Office.
Currently, only about 14 percent of some 28,500 U.S. soldiers in Korea have their
families here on command sponsorship, according to the public affairs office.
"Tour normalization is a win-win situation for everyone. It improves readiness by
keeping our trained forces in place for longer periods of time, improving
continuity, stability, and the retention of regional institutional and cultural
knowledge," Sharp said.
"It demonstrates a strong and visible commitment by the U.S. to the ROK,
signaling we will remain here as long as we are welcomed and wanted," he added,
referring to South Korea by its official name, the Republic of Korea.
Still, available services in Camp Red Cloud area will be limited due to the
shortage or absence of government housing, Defense Department-sponsored schools
or infant related items at PX or commissaries there, according to the USFK.
All applicants are required to be counseled and to sign a document accepting the
limitation of these benefits, it said.
bdk@yna.co.kr
(END)
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