Command Sponsored Vs Non Command Sponsored (Camp Humphreys)

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 24 Jun 2014 02:40:19 -0400

I'm swinging back and fourth between going command sponsored and going non command sponsored. I'd rather only stay a year and id also like my family to be with me, but from all my research they make it seem more complex and difficult to go non command sponsored. I'm having difficulty planning and preparing for Korea in that aspect. Should I apply for command sponsorship just in case? My main worries of non command sponsorship is getting the waiver to live off post and also getting to and from work each day since I will not be authorized to drive, but I have heard there are many places to live within 10 minutes of walking time to post.... So much to research and plan.. any advice is very welcomed. Thanks!

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 24 at 2014 2:43 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 24 Jun 2014 02:43:26 -0400

Start making plans now but WAIT until you get to your unit in Korea. It would not be good to have your family come over immediately if you end up not liking it there. Start the process once you get there, do some more research on living areas and the such, then get to know the country to see if you truly want to stay 2+ years there.

Response by SFC Stephen Carden made Jul 28 at 2014 10:40 AM

SFC Stephen Carden — Mon, 28 Jul 2014 10:40:57 -0400

I just did a CSP tour in Korea and I agree with everything MSG Carl Cunningham said in his post above. Definitely decide now if you want to do CSP. The earlier you get your packet started, the better. My family decided to do CSP about a month before I left, so I went ahead and submitted the packet at Bragg. When I got to Korea, I checked on the status of my packet and was told that Bragg hadn't sent it yet. Since I was already in country, it was now considered an in-country request, and I had to completely re-do the packet. Several months went by and it seemed that my S-1 had lost the packet. My wife got angry because the USFK Commander had just put out a press release saying that he wanted more families in Korea, so she e-mailed him. Next thing you know, I get a phone call from the USFK/8th ARMY CSM. The General had gotten my wife's angry e-mail and was pissed! But he wasn't pissed at me, he was pissed at my command! Long story short, my wife and kids got orders directly from 8th Army, I got moved to a brigade HQ, my wife became friends with the USFK commander and his wife, and we were very happy in Korea for 2 years! Having your family there definitely makes a bad unit more tolerable. You are going to Humphreys, so you are lucky. There are lots of things for families there. A school right beside the high-rise family housing, youth services, a library, a theater, etc. You are very close to Osan AFB, and there are even more things there. I say, take the leap and go ahead and put in your packet. My family absolutely loved it there. HOWEVER....applying for CSP may change your unit of assignment. You may not end up going to Humphreys. Any place that allows family will usually have everything you need though. Seoul and Daegu are both very nice. Guys that I knew that were stationed at Camp Casey usually had to house their families in Seoul and commute. One lesson we learned is that, in 2007, all of the information that was out there about families in Korea was wrong. We were told not to bring all of our HHG, for instance. We found out that we could have very well brought everything we owned because our housing was bigger than our house in the US! We also could have brought our car. If your finance company won't let you bring your car over (some won't), then you can usually pick up a used car from a Soldier who is leaving for less than $100. Sometimes they will just give the car to you to get rid of it. Good luck.

Response by LTC Paul Labrador made Jul 28 at 2014 11:26 AM

LTC Paul Labrador — Mon, 28 Jul 2014 11:26:08 -0400

The biggest question to ask yourself is: do I want my family here with me in Korea, or would tehy be better off staying in the US? Only you can answer that for yourself. Will your family be able to handle a very foreign environement? Or would they enjoy it? Others have given great advice already so I won't re-hash. BTW if you go over CSP, even as a junior soldier, you will be authorized to have a car.