More servicemembers can now bring families to S. Korea

[unhappycamper]

More servicemembers can now bring families to S. Korea
By Erik Slavin, Stars and Stripes
Pacific edition, Monday, September 29, 2008

SEOUL — For the first time, the majority of servicemembers in parts of U.S. Army Garrison-Red Cloud will be able to obtain command sponsorships for their families, U.S. Forces Korea Commander Gen. Walter Sharp said Friday.

Effective immediately, servicemembers at camps Red Cloud, Stanley and Jackson can move their families to South Korea under the Status of Forces Agreement and receive off-post housing allowance and other benefits.

However, at the Camp Casey enclave — where the bulk of the 2nd Infantry Division’s two South Korea ground brigades are stationed — nearly all servicemembers must still serve one-year, unaccompanied tours because Joint Federal Travel Regulations still prevent command sponsorships there.

Sharp will continue looking hard to "see if it’s a smart thing to do," he said of the Casey restriction.

Sharp’s concerns for Camp Casey servicemembers, as well as for those who want command sponsorships at eligible bases, are the limited services available to families.


Rest of article at: http://www.stripes.com/article.asp?section=104&article=57745