Ok, so my husband has it listed on his AKO assignments that his next duty station is in Yongsan Korea, no specified camp. He is currently in AIT training and should receive his physical orders any day now.. but I am totally confused and anxious about this whole thing. He spent 3 months in basic (as everyone) then 7 months in AIT... which he graduates mid August, and now this could be a 1 year unaccomanied tour in korea? Talk about being away for a long time.. this would be pushing 1 month shy of 2 years away from my husband. Now, my concern is that I have heard many conflicting details about the tours.. some say it is accompanied, some say no way. He is more than likely going to be with the 501 intel brigade, but that is seriously just a guess (he is intel)... does anyone have any information on if they have changed the tours to be accompanied or how long they are.. or does this all depend. Understanding that I could still go if it is unaccompanied, it is still more stressful and hard on the expense part of things.. and to be quite honest, I'm just really desperate for some accurate information...
Thank you so much in advance for any help you may have.

Generally speaking, with the limited amount of command sponsorship slots available in Korea, someone fresh out of tech school is most likely (99.9%) not going to be granted command sponsorship.

Also, fresh out of basic and tech, financially it would probably be very difficult to be there non-command sponsored; that is a guess on my part as I have never done that.

The good news, though, is that you can communicate with him daily in Korea. You can visit. It's not as bad as it sounds, I promise!!

My husband and I started dating in November, in February he left for Korea. I visited for ten days in May, he came home on mid-tour in October for our wedding, and then returned from Korea the following February.

Our first year was a year apart!! Thank goodness for cell phones, calling cards, Gorilla Mobile, internet, instant message and all those other wonderful technological things!!

That is what I was afraid of...
What are the best options for communications over there. I currently have a t-mobile cell phone, as he does as well... but the international rates are still pretty high. Are calling cards usually the best option?

One other question... if I do decide to move to korea unaccompanied, I still get housing allowance based on the area correct? (again, so many things i thought I knew, but the more I research, the more I just get confused and disscouraged.)
Thank you!

That is completely wrong information above. I am not sure where you are getting your information from Gingersmurf, but nothing you are posting about NCS is accurate.

It is NOT hard to be here NCS. My husband WAS fresh out of basic and AIT. And when he arrived on Korean soil one of the first questions they had for him was "where is your family". Up until that point we had no idea we could join him NCS.

You will get OHA/COLA/ and utility pay. You will have standard medical. And if it is approved your husband will live with you off post. Just like at home on a regular post. You have all access to the PX/COMMISSARY and other services as well. There are church activities, WIC activities and ACS stuff to do as well. Just today on Casey there is a family
day with tons of stuff to do.
It is not worth going almost 2 years without your loved one. Read through the NCS thread here (the 892578349789 page one) and you will find answers. Also talk to Paula on here as she just arrived WITH her husband for his first tour, and ended up getting CS on arrival.
Be with your husband, especially if you have no kids, be young, be together. There is no reason why you should not start planning to spend the next year in South Korea.
I am tired of the mis-information that keeps getting posted here when all people really want is to be with their loved one.

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I agree with Tiffluv. I am here at USAG Humphreys ncs. We have not found any difficulties at all. In fact, I gave birth to a baby girl, Feb 1st at 121 Combat Hospital. I say come, enjoy a different culture and be with your husband.

What about the cost of shipping or storing HHG? I've heard many people report that finances are a struggle when they are non command sponsored.

OP - my husband just got to Osan last week and we are using Yahoo Instant Messenger - you can call computer to computer for free!! It works fabulously.

Another option that I used last time he was there was Gorilla Mobile. It's cheap, you use it with your cell phone. I think the site is www.gorillamobile.com

Please, also, read exactly what I wrote, not what you think I wrote, tiff.

Command sponsorship slots ARE few. Bringing your spouse over NCS is not an automatic guarantee that you will be granted permission to live off base.

Those are accurate and true statements. I never said it couldn't be done, that it didn't happen. I think it is only correct that before making such a decision, one should be aware of the possibilities.

Now you can kind of see why I am anxious, sad, and confused? He has his leavy briefing tomorrow morning, just got word that he passed his final! YAY... I'm totally new to this, and just exhausted on a path of giving up because of all the weird information out there. Would I go with him when he leaves??? Or wait till he gets situated then go with him? Ugh...

I agree! I'm here command sponsored, however if I could change it, I would've come over NCS just so we'd only have to be here a year! You practically get everything that CS person does. Except I don't think you can drive and you don't have dental over here? Tricare is Standard instead of Prime. But you get access to everything and also your OHA.

I say if you are able to just take off and live here for a year with your significant other, then do it! Our tour is 2 years because we are command sponsored which is SO much longer than I want to be here.

Take care, things will be fine!!!

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"To disagree with me is your human right. To argue with me just because you think you are right and want to see me wrong makes you legally retarded."

Also, regarding household goods, I sold a majority of what we owned as to not have the expense of storing it. Kept the "keepsakes" at a family members house. And your husband will have 500lbs of unaccompanied baggage, and it doesnt matter what it is. They come pack it, pick it up and ship it here. When it gets here they bring it to your apartment and unpack it just like home.
Go for it. Its worth being together.
*wave* Tina! See you either Saturday or Tuesday...lol...

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