Just got stationed

So my husband received his 1st duty station in Active duty status today. We're going to Camp Coiner, Korea! None of my family flies and I'm scared to death. It seems awesome online but that doesn't help! Anyone know what it's like? Positive or negative is appreciated thanks!

My first duty station was Korea. The people there are generally very nice and Soju (alcohol) is very cheap you must try it. You can get anything you want made: leather jackest, suits for $100, lots of look-a-like designer clothing for very good prices. There is a lot of technology type stuff in Seoul if you are into that, or if you just need a new camera or something to that effect. The bar scene is awesome and there is always one in walking distance of post. If you have kids it is a bit of a dirty place in some spots but if not, you guys should have an awesome time!

Don't mind the children peeing in the streets, and holes in the ground for toilets (in some places, but not all).:)

Thank you so much! We do not have kids and we have been trying. However, I have already thought to put that on hold. I'm not too comfortable with having kids in Korea. I am very nervous and excited at the same time. Hearing from someone whose been there helps a lot!

Actually, I just got to Korea myself. I've managed to avoid it for ten years, but It fianlly got me. I don't see now what I was concerned for. This place is not really bad. The people are VERY friendly, and he's right alcohol is cheap, but there is too much to see here to spend every night obliterated.

Sweet! Maybe I'll see you around! Thank you for making me feel better!

I was in Yongsan (Camp Coiner) in 2006-07 with 41st signal bn. I am married also and my wife couldn't come with me. Did you somehow get command sponsorship? It was a great experience except for the fact that I had to live without my family for a year. You definitely have to go out and explore. Seoul is huge and sometimes, overwhelming, but if you get some of the Korean nationals you meet to show you around, it will be a great experience. Enjoy.

Nick,
My husband left in July to go there and then I found out I was pregnant. I chose not to go and 4 him to return in July. However, in the past few months he has managed to spend every cent and then some at the bars and on alcohol and has repeatedly lied about it!! It's been a mess!! In order to save our marriage he is seeking help and wants me there. I am in the process of getting medically cleared so I don't have to get my shots at this time, and his command already said they'd approve my command sponsorship. Obviously this is going to take some time, and time is not what we have. I am scared to death about having a baby there and raising a family there!! But my marriage is very important to me and I want to do whatever I can to save it and be there 4 him. So, hopefully whatever's meant to be happens and that it won't be so bad!! I don't think being together 4 months out of 2 years has helped either. He went from a deployment, to 3 months of school to Korea and by the time he gets home from Korea it'll be pushing 3 years. Then wherever we get in the states has a chance of that unit deploying soon as well. At least KoreA would guarantee us some time together!! However, having a baby with no family around for three years of his life is scary to. It feels like a lose lose situation whichever way I go lol

Christina,
I'm very sorry to hear about your situation with your husband. It was very strange to hear your last post because it reminded me a lot of mine and my wife's relationship when i was there. I didn't drink a lot and lie about it but I went from BCT 2 months after we were married to AIT to Korea for a year and then back to Ft. Gordon to go back to school again. So for the first 3 years I was in, we were together for maybe a month of it. It sucks and it's hard. We almost divorced when I was in Korea but she came to visit me at the end of my tour there and we worked things out. Now I'm deployed in Iraq. The life as an Army family is tough and it sucks a lot of times. But if you guys can make it through, I assure you that your relationship will be stronger for it. Good luck with your relationship and I commend you on doing what you think it takes to save your marriage. I hope he puts in the same effort! Good luck and take care!

Nick,
How are you doing in Iraq? I bet it sucks but I hope it goes by fast!! We are doing better thank you, and I'm going there next month! If there is anything you would like sent to you let me know!! Keep in touch and Happy Holidays!! Thanks for your sacrifice as well!

I just got orders to Osan AB, so I'm pretty excited, espically after hearing about everything good ya'll had to say about it. Hearing about the relationship issues though have made me uneasy about staying married through this experience though.

Joseph,
It will only make you stronger!! Just stay honest with your wife and don't get caught up in the constant bar scenes and spend all your money on alcohol lol but hey we all make mistakes and do stupid stuff and we just gotta learn from it!! When you have no family there and just your new friends I'm sure its easy for many people to get influenced by buddies cuz thats all ya got!!

I actually have a friend out there who's been staying away from the bars and seeing the sites, and he'll be there for about 4 months after I get there so he's going to give me the first hand experience. I'm sure everything is going to be just fine!

I haven't gone to Korea yet, but I have had multiple deployments to Iraq. I've been married for 13 years and in the Army the whole time. The biggest key I have found during those long periods of separation and any other time is a good flow on constant honest communication through any means possible, phones, internet, email, snail mail. Good luck to you all in Korea.

I got to Korea a few days ago and it's definitely something! lol CULTURE SHOCK is definitely the term to be used ha ha but I am happy to finally be with my husband! However, the hard beds are horrible and I definitely need to invest in a mattress!! Wood is softer that this bed!! lol I dunno how they do it cuz I have bruises on my hips!!