www.mma.go.kr

is the Korean Military Manpower Administration
a good place to start, maybe. It is in English AND Korean!
More later.

yeah not much there in English...

yeah I look into KATUSA... sounds ok.

What kind of traning KATUSA do? and does it habe to be American?
Korean Army traning under American Army so...this apply to anyone or must be from america?


also is it hard to get a position as interpreter?

" Korean Army training under... " These are specially selected members of the Korean Army, who pass an English test, and are integrated into the US Army culture, and work at an American Army Post.
Soon my KATUSA friend may be corresponding with you by email. I gave him your email address, and familiarized him with navigating this site. He has seen your questions on this site. He will give you the proper answers about KATUSAS, and hopefully can help with other questions. He is a very sharp & intelligent young man.

Thank you soo much.

There are several options available. Since you have a college degree and obviously speak excellent English you would be a candidate for the “translating officers” program which places college-educated fluent English speakers in interesting jobs in upper echelon headquarter elements. While all of the services have slots, the ROK Air Force created this program and has the inside track for most slots in the Seoul area and of course at major air bases. The pay is much better and the benefits, privileges are also much improved over doing time as an enlisted soldier. The main draw back to this program is that it requires you to make a 40 month service commitment…but you would be an officer doing interesting work. There is a selection process for this program and info is available from the Ministry of National Defense website. The KATUSA program also has info available online. You would also have to test to qualify to become a KATUSA but it sounds like you would be a safe bet to be accepted. However, some young Koreans who come into the KATUSA program as pro-US leave the ROK Army after a couple of years bad mouthing the US if they had the misfortune of being assigned to a unit which did not utilize them properly or fairly.

If you want to get in and get out of the service as quickly as possible, join the ROK Marine Corps. They have the shortest service commitment but you will work a little harder for the time you are in. The Army and Navy are doing 24 month tours these days and the ROKAF enlistees do a couple months more than that but have somewhat easier duty.

If pay is what you are after, volunteering for Iraq with the ROK Army or Air Force will net you at least $2000 a month. Otherwise, ROK enlisted soldiers below E-5 make less than $50 US dollars a month. A lieutenant makes several times that amount but is still not getting rich even by ROK standards.

I know a “translating officer” in the ROK Air Force who studied in Switzerland and China before doing his time who said he would be willing to email you some info if you were interested and provide him with your email address. Keep in mind that program requires a 40 month service agreement.

I hope this helps you.

I thank you for this :)

My email address is sduperth@hotmail.com


Thank you

I also have seen some KATUSA troops who were placed in offices in a Battalion, and were not interacting much with Americans. Some, who are already good with English can converse and make friends and ask questions and learn from the experience. Others may get stuck working with, or for, a Korean secretary, and may not get much exposure to the Army itself. So some are dissatisfied. To get a benefit out of anything you have to put in a certain amount of effort yourself. They get counseled by a ROK Sgt Major, and seem to be treated very well, compared to the ROK Army.

I believe Joe will get some good info from my friend and from Bull's friend, and hopefully be better off for having joined our forum. We look forward to following his adventures as he comes marching home again.
I'm sure he will hate to sell that nice car in Australia. We don't see many right hand drive cars here. Anyway, He won't have time for luxurys like that for a few years!

MR.Joe yes he is Great help :)

I am finding out more and more inside details.. I think KATUSA is the way to go for me.

I will be in Korea 1st of August... I might have to catch up and buy you all good bull-Go-Ghi for all the help :)

THank you all

the time has come...

I am there ROK 2 moro night :)

Hello Eveyone, I finally arrived in Korea last monday.

My god its hot here, how can you live in this heat?

right now I am @ Bu-Yeo, I am going to DAE JON for my ROK medical check up and I'm enlised to ROK ARMY. I will be doing my TOIEC test at the end of september so that I can get into KATUSA positoin in ROK this october. *wish me luck*

I do not feel as I am korean cuz I was in Australia for last 13 years. soo many culture shock and new things to experience (my god KOREAN PEOPLE DRIVE LIKE CRAZY!!! I mean crazy drivers everywhere!!!)

anyway I will be visiting seoul in few weeks of time. (if some one can show me around, it will be good :)).

anyway I will keep you guys updated :)

Thank you all.
cheers'
Joe-from Down under