Published: Thu, 08 Mar 2007 06:23:50 +0000

From the Stars & Stripes:

The top U.S. commander in South Korea on Wednesday proposed immediately doubling the number of troops on accompanied tours in that country, and eventually shifting most troops with families to three-year tours there.
In testimony before the House Armed Services Committee, Army Gen. B.B. Bell also said he plans, in the near [...]
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I think making tours 2-3 years with famiies would be a good idea. To many people are like "well I'm only here a year, so what do I care" People don't take the time to do their jobs properly because they just don't care, which makes more work for others.

I wonder when they will have go CS, and what that'll do to the KAIP if people have already been approved? Will they make us move on base if we already have a place off base? There are a lot of questions that go along with this plan.

DEE DEE DEE!!!!! I am dying to know what you think about all this. The arrticle said "immediately doubling the number of troops on accompanied tours and eventually shifting most troops with families to three year tours." The article also says "Bell also plans, in the near future to give accompanied tour status to troops with unauthorized spouses in South Korea." I am just going to bust if I don't find out your thoughts on this. I have so many questions about this too. A friend told me that they are having a town hall meeting and that that would be a good place to ask.

My thoughts on this...?

Immediately..one thing comes to mind.. WOW!

My second response.. I'm very tempted to do the "I told you so" dance.. I had heard that this was coming down the road, I've posted it here and in several other forums, only to be told once or twice that I'm insane... truthfully, even though I did have an idea it was going to happen, I'm blown away by the possibility of it happening so quickly! And yes, I just reposted the article in it's entirety to AF Crossroads, for the benefit of all those who completely bashed me for coming here to Korea, and those who swore that there were never going to be any more CS billets available.

I was very honoured and touched that General Bell spoke so highly of we, the few, the brave, the insane! :) and am encouraged and hopeful now that within a few years from now, the year long separation that comes with a remote will be a thing of the past,and that no spouse will ever have to be needlessly separated from their spouse by a tour in Korea.

Do I believe that the increased, and more vocal presence of NCS spouses here in Korea may have influenced/impacted the decisions of those in charge? You bet I do... I know that the needs of the military come first always when it comes to these matters, but I can't help but think that maybe the realization that folks like us aren't going away, and are becoming quite an active group had some sort of effect on the way things are playing out...and as someone who's become a very vocal proponent of NCS.. I'm very proud of the part that all of us have played in what might be a policy change that will effect the lives of *thousands* in the future.

In reading GI Korea's page about the article, I noted one posters commentary about the NEO infrastructure needing to be beefed up to handle this new change... I respectfully disagree... the program in place right now could use a little tweaking, but quite frankly...with NCS spouses *already* being included in NEO functions as we are...the increase isn't going to be -that- substantial right away.

On a personal level.. my verdict is out on the whole ushering us NCS to CS status right away... a great deal is dependant on how they want to do that.. I'm not sure I want to sign up for the 3 year tour,and lose our follow-on, and think that there will need to be some provisions made for the transition period to allow those of us who didn't expect the 3 year tour to have a sort of transitional CS...and to deal with what's going on with the KAIP,etc. I'd be very interested in that town meeting, if anyone has official details, please post them...

Needless to say...right now, I'm blown away.

Chuck...my bro.. your thoughts? :)

Dee :)

Dance! (_/_)(_\_)(_/_)(_\_) The town meeting is Monday at 7pm at the base theatre. I'm thinking of going, I have always wanted to question a B.General! There is a little thing about it on the front page of the base paper. You can even ask question anonymously by sending an e-mail or calling in during the meeting.

I agree with you though. On one hand I am shocked and wowed, but on the other I'm a bit nervous since I don't really know what to expect.

Hey, all!

I went to the meeting at the base theatre tonight,and submitted a question about the NCS-accompanied status issue. While I didn't get the exact answer I was looking for, or anything really substantial to report, General Reynes did reiterate the statement that he had made previously that NCS spouses should be treated the same as CS in all matters, CS or NCS, we are -all- Americans. In all honestly, however, and in the General's defense, my gut feeling was that perhaps the reasons I didn't get the answer I wanted to hear were two fold- a) I don't think the issue has been worked yet with the command below USFK, so honestly, the General didn't have that information...I think the question kind of took him by surprise.. and b) I think right now the bulk of the General's concern is being directed toward an impending housing crisis.

Apparently, negotiations with the KNHA for a takeover of MVV are *not* going well...and as of right now, an officially signed termination of lease has been signed for the property..meaning that if something isn't worked out before 31 Dec 2007, all those families in MVV will have to be moved either off base, or returned to the states early, until the towers are completed in February-April of 2008. The hope is that an agreement can be reached, but at this point, things are at a standstill,and they're having to work all sides of the issue, including trying to figure out how they're going to manage to move at *government expense* how to move these families, not once, but *twice*..once off, once back.

On the down side.. if any of us were hoping to get on base housing in this new benefit dump.. I think it's safe to say that will be a no-go at Osan, given the fact that those who are already there may have to face moving out, if an agreement cannot be reached...

On the upside...we're actually ahead of the CS ladies on this one, folks..we may be offbase, but at least we're not looking at having to move off base.. and back on, in the matter of months.

The bottom line? We'll have to wait, I think to see what comes down from General Bell,and Congress as to the specifics of what we get, or don't get. Until then, the base commanders themselves probably won't know.

Just hold on to your hats, folks, I think this is going to be an interesting ride. :)

Dee :)