Just accounts and random thoughts from my life. The content within these blogs may be graphic so if you become offended: FUCK OFF.
Published on September 11, 2004 By mrt949 In Home & Family
South Korea: what an awesome place.

For a country of 100,000 sq. clicks, it's got a lot of culture and tradition. Then again, this is the first time I've been overseas so it's all a brand new experience to me. But damn I do like it here. People here are so much nicer and act with a higher sense of tradition and respect. It's attributes like these that make NOT want to leave and come back to America. With all sorts of goodies like this going for the country, I'd like to think that most of the people on base would be eager to check out some sites and the people here. But noooo......

Allow me to take you on a short trip into the mindset of most of these people...They think, "I have to be here for a year and have curfew and live with another roommate in somewhat shabby living conditions and etc., so fuck this place." The majority of these morons solve these issues by doing one or all of the following:
1. Drinking themselves beyond stupid (I have seen this done so it is possible. Hint: Moments like these require a camera/camcorder.)
2. Becoming unbelievably promiscuous (and of course maintaining a double standard and claiming to have morals & values.)
3. Thinking," Hey I'm only gonna be in this shithole for a year so fuck EVERYONE in it!" Obviously, the phrase “it's a small world" (especially in the military) never occurred to them.

Ironically, they've never gone more than half a mile beyond the front gates. But of course, they complain about how the city is crap so therefore ALL of South Korea is crap. Don't you love how the idiot logic works? Those folks in the military out there will understand what I'm talking about. Sadly, these small minded people poorly represent those of us on base who actually like the base. Because of this, the locals also dislike the GI's somewhat. I say somewhat because they still depend on us for their livelihood of course.

Now I will admit, it is a tough tour. You can't bring along family members, there is curfew, and you work long hours. But to let yourself down because of these downsides and not resolve them yourself is just pathetic. All one has to do is just get in a taxi and go 10 minutes off base. Just doing that will relieve some tension and present you with a new experience. One can also make the extra effort and head up to Seoul (which is the shit!). Hell, I've been here for 2 months and have been to Seoul every weekend. And I haven't even gone with the same people twice! Make the most of your weekend for fucksake people! But sadly, these poor souls will never attain the higher level of problem solving/motivation and instead resort to dwelling within the few blocks outside base and drown themselves in Soju and juicies (GI's know what I'm talking about). It's these kind of people with their poor attitudes that contribute to the INSANELY high number of alcohol related incidents, sexual assaults, and all other delinquent behavior.

Great job you ignorant assholes. I'm sure you're making the folks back home real proud.
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Comments
on Sep 11, 2004
Thank you for the positive reply Little Whip.

Coincidentally, my next base is Germany so hopefully I can expect an excellent experience there also (from what others tell me that should not be a problem).

Just like you, I too wished that other military members would propagate that same sense of diplomacy and friendliness with other foreign nationals. Hopefully, as long as I long I interact with other locals, I don’t foresee any difficulty in the long run. When the time comes for me to relocate to Germany, I hope to attain the same privilege as you of living off base so as to familiarize myself with the local culture. I wholeheartedly prefer mingling with the local flavor than camping out on base with those other poor dorm dwelling bastards. I, for one, am for experiencing as much of the culture as possible than most “I signed at the bottom of the dotted line” GI’s.

I know I am new to this blogging stuff, but I hope that I’m at least contributing some advice or insight so that other people might be able to absorb and apply them to their lives.
on Sep 20, 2004
This is one of the things that frustrated my husband so much when he was in Korea. He got there (near Camp Red Cloud) not long after the convoy incident with the little girls, so they were on lockdown most of the time he was there. When they were allowed to go out, they had to have a battle buddy with them most of the time. Not a bad idea, but he doesn't drink, and he doesn't cheat. There weren't many people he could do anything with that didn't involve alcohol or women. So, most of the year was spent in staying in his room and watching movies.

I wish you luck during your year!
on Sep 20, 2004
I hope that you enjoy the rest of your tour in Korea. I have nearly four years total in Korea and loved everyday of it. You will have some of the most rewarding times away from Songtan and the base. I was never stationed at Osan, but I was at Humphreys for 2 years and at Yongsan for 18 months.

You into baseball at all? You haven't been to a baseball game until you've been to a Korean ball game. Some of the best fun I've ever had. There are two teams that play in Seoul in the same stadium, so one of the teams is almost always home. Chamshil Stadium Station on the green line (same exit as the Lotte Hotel, I think). They should still have a few weeks left to the season there. If you'd like more info, email me. chiprj@gmail.com I always look forward to talking about Korea and sharing experiences there.