| |
|
|
Planning Your PCS Move
 So, you're moving to Korea! In this fast, boisterous,
ever-changing developing country, it is essential for you to have your advance
planning be as comphrensible as possible to avoid any unnecessary hassle upon arrival.
As you near your move and have not heard from a sponsor, you must take the initiative
and contact your gaining unit for a relocation packet.
A sponsor is automatically assigned to all newcomers in Korea
but there may be times when this is unintentionally overlooked.
A sponsor is an absolute necessity in an assignment such as Korea.
Be prepared and start packing!
Details:
When moving to any country, you need to have careful planning of all the details surrounding
your PCS move. Here is a checklist to assist you in your move to Korea:
Address Book: a book consisting of all the
information that you would need in Korea (such as doctors, emergency, schools)
Attorney/Power of Attorney:
a power of attorney is essential in Korea for remote assignments, deployments, and NEO requirements
so it is best to have one prepared before departure to Korea.
Automobile: if coming on an accompanied tour,
you will need some type of transportation.
Driver's License:
check to make sure that your driver's liscense is current if you want to get a
United States Forces Korea (USFK) liscense to drive on post or in Korea.
Employment Records: this is important for family members who will be seeking employment in Korea.
Eye Exam:
if you wear contact lenses, particularly the soft or extended wear type,
have your exam before leaving the States and purchase your contacts there.
Housing:
it is important that you make reservations at an appropiate facility,
such as the Dragon Hill Lodge in Yongsan, to stay at while you are deciding where to settle down at.
Immunizations: contact your stateside medical
facility on current information immediately since several immunizations require a series
of shots given over the course of several weeks or months.
Insurance: automobile and personal effects
coverage insurance are essential, so make sure with your insurance company that your policy covers
living abroad.
Legal Documents: check all necessary documents
are current and copies are left in a safety deposit or given to a trusted friend, relative,
or attorney. Documents such as birth certificates, marriage licenses, wills, etc. should be
hand carried.
Mail: obtain a proper mailing address
from your sponsor or gaining unit and fill out all necessary forms at your local post office.
Medical Records: check to make sure that all
your records are up-to-date and include your International Certificates Of Vaccination.
Money: if arriving from a major
city with banks or private companies that deal in foreign curency, you may buy some Won but
dollars are widely accepted in Korea, so it shouldn't be a major concern if you do not have
any local currency upon arrival.
Orders: always have several copies of your
orders and any separate orders for family members available for in-processing both at Korean Immigration
at Inchon Airport and on-post.
Passport/Visa:
very important,
although an active duty military member can travel on his/her military I.D. card,
many find it perferable to have a passport.
Pets:
When bringing your pet, you must know that the Hannam Village housing complex
does not allow pets and that Korean apartments do not have any areas for walking pets.
There are also very specific rules and regulations on importation of your pet.
School Records:
Check that all copies of school records are up-to-date and hand-carried.
Telephone Credit Card:
Because phone calls from Korea to the States are quite expensive there are a couple options
that would ease the hassle and your wallet. There are service that allow a credit card holder
to call the States and have the card company bill you every month which eleminates mailing
you a statement of charges or there are pre-paid phone cards in the PX concessionaires.
|
|
|
 |
