My husband is in the army in Yongsan, Korea. He wants me to join him in November. I'm not sure how everything is supposed to go but he says in the mean time, I need to get my passport. I just got my military id card and am now cover by tricare. Is there anything else I need like a visa cause I've heard a lot about that too? And also, we are living off base and from what I understand, it is expensive but he says after 3 months, the army will help us pay. Can anyone tell me more. I'm not sure on exactly what to do because he says I can just pretty much show up as long as he lets his commander/seargent knows and if he doesn't f@#^ up, as he puts it...
2007-09-06 18:13:34 · 7 answers · asked by Loving.You 4 in Politics & Government ➔ Military
I am sure your husband has probably done some research. In yongsan, I believe they are increasing base housings and it is easiest to bring family members to that area in korea as compared to the rest so you are in luck. You should go and enjoy it your time.
2007-09-13 06:15:47 · answer #1 · answered by Sandy B. 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
There are a lot of postings on here about that issue...check them out. The biggest problem with going to any overseas base with out the official sponsership of the military is you won't have SOFA coverage, SOFA is an agreement with the host nation that provides for the care, handling and disposition of any instance that involves the legal system of the host nation and an American officially stationed in the country. This can apply to everything from a fender bender to a serious criminal charge. Living in Korea without sponsership from your husband's command means that if you were involved in something with local police, the Korean police could treat you as they would a Korean citizen...and this can include incarceration, trial and questioning without the benefit of a lawyer from the base. Korean jail and the justice system is very different from ours...there is a reason SOFA agreements are in place.
The next issue is that there is no garuntee the military will pay for your off base housing and no garuntee they will even allow your husband to move off base. By moving without sponsership, you would only be able to bring what you could pack in the allowed suitcases with you and may very well have to pay the storage costs for the rest of your household items left behind ...and that is going to be costly. You would have to pay the costs for your trip there and back on your own as well. Finally, since you would not have command sponsership, you would be given the lowest priority for medical care at the base clinics.
Those are the big issues. Your husband will more than likely work longer hours than he has in the states and you will be on your own. Without sponsership, you can not work on the base, so would have to try and find work off base...and that will be tough because of language and cultural issues. There is a reason the military does not allow all spouses and families to go to Korea...it is a risky base with a high level of exercise and readiness activities, limited services that does not have the same standards of living we are used to. Most wives would say to stay in the states and I agree. It is tough to be apart, we all know that, but this is not the place to go without the protection and support of the military.
2007-09-07 00:47:46 · answer #2 · answered by Annie 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
as a military spouse im gonna say read the other answers and think hard about it.......also one thing they may have overlooked, if you are not command sponsored and you go to korea and stay more than 90 days a passport alone wont do it, your gonna have to apply for a visa which are usually only granted if your there to work or go to school.....sometimes you can get a tourist visa but its very hard, especially since the government isnt backing you up on it.
i hope you have alot of money saved up...IF they sponsor you after 3 months (which ive never heard of before) your looking at about probably $5 k plus between the airfare, rent and utilities up to that point. and that is to take only what you can carry on the plane iwth you .......if you take more its coming out of pocket.
oh and one more thing i forgot.....you will NOT be able to drive in korea ......at all. you have to get a license issued to you by the base personnel office which they only do for command sponsored individuals
but best of luck , hope it works out
2007-09-07 01:15:04 · answer #3 · answered by CRmac 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Do not go you will not be command sponsored and you will have to go to the US for medical treatment of any thing other than emergency's. if you chose to see a doctor on the economy it will come out of your pocket. and unless he is E-7 or above you will not be able to afford to live there and no the Army will not pay for you being there if you are not command sponsored no matter how long you are there. You will also not have the Status of forces agreement protecting you and you would be subject to Korean law including immigration and visa laws that will not allow you to stay very long.
2007-09-07 13:33:32 · answer #4 · answered by SSGAllan 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
you can't just 'show up'. His Chain of Command needs to sign off on it. they do NOT have to give him OHA if you show up unannounced. Some things to consider: you do NOT have easy access to base facilities. medical and Dental is Space A. If you go over NCS, you are NOT Protected by the SOFA, which means you are completely at the mercy of the Korean legal system for anything and everything from littering to shoplifting to car accidents. The ENTIRE move will be out of pocket, to include shipping/storage of your HHG.
It's a very expensive proposition, and if he is Junior Enlisted(e4 and below) it's going to be VERY hard to pay for.
2007-09-07 00:21:19 · answer #5 · answered by Mrsjvb 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
call a travel agency and tell them what you are going to do and ask them what you need to travel to S korea they will help you out with what you need at no charge.
You will love S Korea, I have been to 38 different countries and S Korea is still one that I have very fond memories of. I was there in 87 and 88 it was nice to see the olympics and the country side is noce to visit.
2007-09-06 18:29:41 · answer #6 · answered by Geoff C 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
MY advice is for him to get real permission. If the army will not authorize you to live there than they will not pay just because you show up. MAybe he knows someone that it worked for but I would not count on it. I hope it all goes well for you. I know it is hard to be apart from the one you love
2007-09-06 21:45:12 · answer #7 · answered by Grace 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋