12 March 2008
Imaging being in the U.S. military and after 15 months in Iraq, being reassigned to South Korea. That is what has been happening. The army is really stressed and seems to be assigning one tour after another. It may be peaceful in South Korea but the separation from families it taking it’s toll. To try to remedy this, the commander of U.S. troops in South Korea is asking the Pentagon to allow troops stationed there to have spouses and children live with them during their tour of duty.
About 10%, mainly officers, do have their families with them. American troops have been moved farther from the front lines while South Korean troops, which have grown in size and ability are guarding the border to North Korea. About 2,000 military families are independently living, at their own expense, in Seoul and surrounding areas near the bases where spouses are assigned. It seems that American military commanders have quietly turned a blind eye and have allowed those children into Defense Department schools and clinics. Two brigades previously based there have joined the rotation schedule for Iraq and Afghanistan.
I can’t help but wonder what would happen if we set up permanent military bases in Iraq. I see no possible way that military families would ever be safe there. Recent events in Baghdad and elsewhere have led me to believe that the “serge” is losing it’s effectiveness.
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