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General Information

Your Sponsor
Once you receive your orders, forward copies to your sponsor, so that they may set up a mailbox, arrange housing and/or billeting for you.

Advance Postal Address
Many people find it convenient to have a post office box assigned to them before coming to Osan. You may receive a post office box 90 days prior to your arrival. To do this, send a copy of your orders to your sponsor. However, you may forward your mail to this general delivery address before you're assigned a post office box: Name, rank, unit, PSC 3 General Delivery, APO AP 96266.

Household Goods
Whether your assignment to Korea is accompanied or unaccompanied, carefully consider the amount of household goods you ship. Military family housing and dormitories have limited square footage and storage space. However, for accompanied members in particular, you will want to work closely with the housing office, DSN: 315-784-1840, to determine which facility you will be living in.  Soraksan, Hallasan and Jerisan Towers are filled with units containing square footage of approximately 1300 to 1600 sq ft.  Off-post housing may be smaller or larger depending on the type of home.

For Command Sponsored Families only:
Upon request, Camp Humphreys Furnishings Management Office (FMO) will provide a complete household of furnishings and appliances for the duration of your tour, contact DSN 315-753-7358.

Lodging
You are encouraged to make billeting reservations ahead of time to ensure availability. The Turumi Lodge is the Osan AB billeting location.  Please note, pets are not allowed in any billeting facility.  Osan Air Base has a kennel that can house your pet, but has limited space. You should call well ahead to ensure there is available room for your pet. The Turumi Lodge also works with 16 contract hotels available as additional quarters. Many of the facilities do not meet stateside standards. They vary in size, quality, and require double occupancy for some grades. As a result, the term "confirmed billeting reservations" means lodging will be available when you arrive; however, it could be either on or off base.

Emergencies while in transit
In case of an emergency en route, contact your sponsor or the military personnel office at the nearest military installation for help in notifying your gaining organization. You can contact your unit directly or through the base operator, DSN (315) 784-1110 or commercial 011-82-333-661-1110.

In-processing
UPON YOUR ARRIVAL OR NEXT DUTY DAY AFTER YOUR ARRIVAL, you will need to report to the 1st Replacement Center in Yongsan.  The 35th ADA BDE liason will ensure that you process through dental/medical, and provide you with pinpoint orders to 35th Air Defense Artillery Brigade.  Your in-processing will take five working days to complete.  Upon completion you will be sent to Osan Air Base via bus travel.  The Brigade representatives will meet you at the bus station on Osan Air Base to welcome you.  Upon arrival, you may be provided with temporary lodging at the Turumi Hotel. 

Customs
Your household goods and hold baggage will be inspected when they arrive in Korea. The baggage that you bring aboard the aircraft with you will be inspected by customs officials when you arrive. You can speed up the process by making a list of all electronic items such as cameras, radios, CD or tape players and include approximate values and manufacturers' model and serial numbers.

Lost Luggage
Member will need to file a claim before leaving airport.  The airline will deliver it to the respective base.  However, only to the main gate.  Member will have to ensure they have a contact phone number for the airlines to arrange an approximate time to meet at the gate for the exchange.

Finances/Banking
U.S. banking and credit union facilities are available at military installations throughout the Republic. Use of the Direct Deposit Program at a stateside financial institution helps avoid interruptions or delays in receiving your monthly pay during your move. Checks from stateside and local financial institutions may be cashed at various facilities at Osan with proper identification. Personal financial experts recommend you establish a separate checking account for yourself during your assignment if your spouse is staying in the states. This will avoid confusion in trying to balance one checking account and the possibility of writing bad checks. Ensure support of your dependents is in order before leaving your present duty station. Your base accounting and finance office can help you accomplish necessary paperwork.

Spouse/Dependent Visitation
When any non-command-sponsored dependent visits Osan Air Base and resides in the member's quarters for more than 30 days, Basic Allowance for Housing, BAH, must be stopped effective the 31st day of the visit. Sponsors must notify the housing office and accounting and finance when dependents are staying with them in unaccompanied quarters for more than 30 days. As a matter of policy, visiting dependents are allowed to reside in the sponsor's unaccompanied quarters for up to 30 days. After 30 days, the sponsor must ensure the dependent(s) are moved to off-base quarters or have left Korea. Anyone other than active duty military members planning to be in Korea more than 30 days will need a visa in their passport. Call finance at DSN: 315-784-1851 for information on entitlements. Call housing at DSN: 315-784-1840 for more details about quarters. Call Pass and ID at DSN 315-748-4489 for information about on base passes for visiting family members.

Nice to know tips for living in Korea from “Heels” on the ground

Hair Care – The Osan BX is very limited. Bring all your favorite hair products and loads of it.

Eye Care – Get your contact lenses before you get here, and bring extra!

Orthodontic Care – Continuous orthodontic care is provided for free at Osan if you arrive with braces on.

Medications – If you are taking medication, bring extra.

Vaccinations – There are no extra immunizations required of family members before or upon arrival to Korea.

Shot Records/School Records – Hand carry! Don’t put them in unaccompanied baggage; they are needed upon arrival into Korea.

School Physicals – You will do this when you get here, previous school physicals from the states are not accepted here.

Holiday Décor – Bring your Seasonal and especially Christmas décor.  You will not have a yard, so don’t bring the large blow up items!

Winter Gear – Bring the boots, gloves, scarves and sleds!  Lots of fun in the snow!

Sporting Gear – Bring your equipment, i.e. tennis rackets, skates, helmets, balls, bats, etc.

Baby Gear – Bring baby gates with wide span, there is a limited quantity here.  Baby carriers/slings/backpacks are good to bring as strollers are not always easy to use on outings on the economy. Jogging strollers are best to use on the installations because the wheels are very durable.  Walking is a way of life here on the airbase.

Driving – Korea is geared toward smaller vehicles, you might not want to bring large ones.

Pets – No “giant” sized kennels allowed on international flights, your dog must fit in “large” size kennel for airline travel. – Instead of sedating your dog for the long flight ask your Veterinarian about a proper dosage of Benadryl. The dog will get around much better once he/she arrives at the airport.

Phones – US cell phones do not work in Korea. Get registered and signed up with Vonage or Skype in the states before you get here.

Gift Certificates – While we have many of the same stores/restaurants in Korea, the gift certificates from the US cannot be used in the Korea locations, i.e. Starbucks, Baskin-Robbins, Outback Steakhouse.

Furniture – You will have the opportunity to receive furniture here, i.e. bedroom furniture (largest bed size is queen) mattresses provided, dining room and living room furniture. Bring lightweight pcs, ie sofa table, corner tables and lamps! Housing only has the basic pcs. Bring items that will remind you of home, but don’t bring everything – storage is limited.

Rugs – Bring your rugs, much of the flooring is ceramic tile.

Mattress Pads – Some family members have enjoyed the extra comfort of memory foam or egg crate cushion for the their beds.  The mattresses are hard here!

Weight allowance – Don’t bring your full weight allowance for household goods – you will need to have room for some “Korean Treasures” for when you return home!

Tips on Air Travel with Kids – Ask for “kids meals” at the time you book your flight, once you get on the plane it is too late for them to accommodate this request. Each child should have their own back pack with wheels. Think about bringing new toys for the flight, to keep their interest, one family did this with just small items from the Dollar Store. Ideas to keep them occupied, like books, an iPod, CD’s, cards, stickers, coloring books, child camera, snacks, snacks, snacks.

Great Tip – If traveling with small children, arrive early so you are first in line, and they do not have to wait in a long line. Then they can play and romp around the airport play area before they have to board.

Mind Set – Be open-minded and you’ll love your “Korean Experience!”