By General Bell is definitely persistent in pushing this issue:
The top U.S. commander in Korea urged Congress Tuesday to help him introduce standard three-year rotational tours for military forces in South Korea over the next several years.
Army Gen. Burwell B. Bell, commander of U.S. Forces Korea, told the Senate Armed Services Committee that the current “dysfunctional, one-year, war-zone rotational tour mechanism†has outlived its day.
Fifty-four years after the end of the Korean War, Bell said it’s time to end the arrangement that needlessly adds to the already-high U.S. worldwide operational tempo. At the same time, Bell said, it handicaps readiness and engagement opportunities with South Korea.
“I’m abdicating three-year, normal accompanied tours as an objective and a goal that we should work toward in Korea, and I would appreciate your support as I work this initiative over the next several years,†he told the panel.
Some may remember that General Bell was pushing this issue last month as well in front of Congress.
I would be surprised to see this happen before the Camp Humphreys expansion if the expansion happens at all judging by General Bell’s earlier comments this week. The infrastructure to support three year tours is not available right now. Would you want a soldier living in the Dongducheon ville with his family for three years especially if they have kids? The hustler landlords would have a field day. Additionally there are no schools on post and the PX and commissary could not support that type of increase in people. Plus you have to take into consideration the force protection of all these people living off post.  Â
I just don’t see this happening anytime soon, but three year tours after the Camp Humphreys expansion should definitely become the norm.
It is the sad reality. No mistake...
12:43 pm on April 26th, 2007 1
General Bell is tentatively on my Good List again.
J!
4:00 am on April 27th, 2007 2
That boy is stealing my thunder.
3:10 am on April 28th, 2007 3
While I agree with General Bell that the one-year tour is an anachorism of the Cold War era and a hinderance to readiness at all levels, I am not sure a three-year tour is the proper solution.
I was having an interesting discussion the other day about training management for Brigade Combat Teams after the Humphreys move is complete. The general consensus was that with the current constraints of highly limited training areas and ranges, the relocation of forces south will only aggravate already overwhelming training challenges.
It's enormously difficult right now to secure training areas on the peninsula, and it won't improve with the move south. Anyone who has had to deal with requesting land for maneuver will attest to that. If you've ever tried to get Twin Bridges, or Rooster 8, or one of the other postage-stamp sized training areas you know how difficult it is to wade through the bureaucratic morass. Not only do you have to deal with USFK/EUSA bureaucracy, but you have to deal with ROK Ministery of National Defense as well. Then you have to wait on approval from local ROK custodial units–which routinely do not manage land much further out than a month at a time (and sometimes less). Battalions sometimes plan major maneuver exercises that have been briefed and approved at their Quarterly Training Briefs, only to have the rug yanked out from under them by having training areas denied by the ROKs a week or less from the date of execution. It can be maddening. And it will not get better when forces are down south. All of this will be exacerbated by locating units down south, with no local training area alternatives.
If I had my druthers, I would bring Brigade Combat Teams over to Korea on six-month rotations. They get in their local train-ups stateside, do their gunneries, get in their NTC/JRTC rotations and then come over. Then for six months they focus on sustainment training. It would be better from a readiness perspective–though I've no idea what the cost comparison is. And I have a sneaking suspicion that money will win over readiness; but that's just my cynical side rearing its ugly head.
Just my two cents.
Marcus
7:05 pm on April 28th, 2007 4
If I remember right, it took about 8>10 months, to figure out whats going on and how to make it work. (broad brush stroke).
Three year tour would be much better.
Three year tours or lets go home. Pick one, but a change is most needed.
And Marcus, your not cynical, Money always wins over readiness.
Is a troop strength of 10,000 too many? Anyone?
11:55 pm on April 28th, 2007 5
I think keeping the Air Force presence along with logistical support soldiers should be what is left in Korea. Than like Marcus pointed out as well they need to figure out if a Stryker brigade can be rotated to Korea or permenantly stationed there. Whatever that number is, is what should be left to Korea and 10,000 may be a good ballpark number.
4:59 pm on April 29th, 2007 6
A Twelve Month Tour in Korea Consists of:
1 month to get in-processed.
2 months to get up to speed on the job.
1 month of serious work.
1 month of looking forward to midtour.
1 month of total slacking in anticipation of midtour.
1 month of midtour.
1 month of being back from midtour and hating it.
2 months of serious work
1 month thinking about being short.
1 month of not caring at all.
Your mileage may vary.
J!
8:03 pm on January 10th, 2008 7
[...] Bell has been pushing this issue all last year and seems determined to continue it this year as well. Though I think three year accompanied [...]