Basic Combat Training Days.

Looking back at those good ol' times of Basic Combat Training- the training you have to go through for 6weeks right after you enter the military- I laugh,"NYAaaahahahahahahahaha"
For 6 weeks I was cut off from the world, thrown into an alien world with alien laws and regulations and codes of action, forced to eat food that was extremely undesirable, made to realize how 'TIMID' you should act with your superiors, taught how to be a soldier, taught how to shoot a rifle, taught the basics of tactical measures, forced to walk for 30km with a 20kg weight on my back, brainwashed with political shnit about our enemy and how dangerous they are and finally......forced to think like a soldier.



Yeah, I am a soldier. So what? Every korean man has to become a soldier for a 2 year time.
But I am still proud though. Proud to be a guy who will be there for my country in case the North Commies go nuts. Cus the thought of all the pretty Korean women getting involved in a thing as horrible and detestable as WAR, repulses me and I say, "NOooooooooooooooooo, not the girls you FRIKKIn COMMIES!!!!!" Ba Bam Bam Bam, Ratatatatatat, BANG! Pppf!(Mosquito in my mouth) Eugh!!!(Vomit) Aaaaaahh, I'm shot!! No wait, it's just me. Ba Bam Blam. BAM! (Head shot a commie) Pffffft!! (blood everywhere) EUGH!! (vomit)

Honestly can you imagine her getting shot? - Lim Soo Jung, ladies and gentlemen.

Oh how those days of training were so extremely hard! You just become a frikkin zombie, forced to do this and that and all sorts of things which don't really make sense. For example, our Platoon drill sergeant would command us to move tents to one place, and after we'd be done, he'd frikkin change his mind and tell us to move all that stuff to another place, and after we'd be done with that while cursing under our breaths, he'd then frikkin command us to move all that SHTUFF to our frikkin rooms!
We'd wonder how stupid they were. If you're gonna frikkin tell us to move that shit back into our rooms, why frikkin move it in the FIRST darn place!!!!!!!! hhahahahahha.
I assume they did that to let us know that we're just zombie slave laborers under a heirarchy of ranks and all military stuff like that. "We are told what to do and we just do it" - some army term we ultimately came to realize.

Anyway, those 6 weeks of shivering in cold and doing all sorts of training and labor paid off, cus I realized I had gotten really stronger. I can run, push up and sit up like a man! Want specifics?
1) Sit ups : 55 in 2 minutes.
2) Push ups : 49 in 2 minutes.
3) Run : 2 miles in 14 minutes.

HOAH! (American army slang thing)

Being a Soldier - Part I : An Overview. An Introduction.

So much did I initially detest and dislike the idea of me going to the military......
I had thought it was but a waste of time, a waste of energy in an effort to promote violence and unnecessary action-drama fueled by the un-wise and stupendous attribute of the dark side of present societal propaganda.
Oh gee, well, I was wrong^^

You see, I'd have a problem being in the Korean military if our military system was based on the idea of 'attacking our enemies' or anything of the similar sort invoking first-hand violence. But after my month long BCT(Basic Combat Training) at the Korea Army Training Centre, I have come to realize that our military operational system is that of a defensive stance, rather than a violent offensive one.

Our enemy is of course, good ol' North Korea. The educational lectures over at the Training base given by high ranking officers always seemed to stress on the fact that we've been having constant provocations from the Northerners, to which I often shook a nod in agreement.


Ze Enamee!
Delving further into detail, we were taught how potentially dangerous and ruthless North Korea can be to us if it decides to wage another war. Besides,we're still at war! The North-South Korean peninsula is at a state of Ceasefire - the Korean War had never ended - and a Peace Treaty was never signed.

The KPA(Korea People's Army) outnumbers the ROKA (Republic of Korea Army) by a 1.8 ratio! Imagine that!
Forget the Armies of the two countries, North Korea has roughly twice the number of war machines and twice the number of the whole military combined.
Scary stuff eh?

Ah, but here comes the catch. We're strong! We are allies with the USA and about 20000 US soldiers are in garrison within Korea of which I am a part of :
The U.S.F.K.(United States Forces Korea)

Click on picture if you wish to know more!
And besides, the Northerners eat potato balls for their meals. THAT...is why North Korea is watchful and careful when dealing with us.

So much as we would LOVE to improve our relationship with N.K.(apart from a select few), it does seem we're getting slapped off by a cold hand as they keep provoking us through a variety of attacks.(For their own reasons, goodness knows what.)
The most recent provocation -The YeongPyoungDo Artillery Bombing (영평도 포격 사건)

Click on picture for more info.
Thusly, the ROKA, or the totality of the South Korean Military has a singular purpose - to defend our great country of South Korea from the North.

And hence, my service to my country is not wasted, but utilized for a higher purpose - to keep my country safe. South Korea was devastated and in ruins after the Korean War. But we have come THIS long. We have not only survived, but flourished - to let the name of our country be known worldwide! In sports, in technology, in innovation, in culture, and in music and entertainment, we have come a long way!
Samsung Galaxy Tab turned many heads.Hyundai Genesis Coupe.Kim Yuna!(Woot!) SNSD! T-ARA!Mamma Mia!(Eunjeoung from T-ARA)

It would be a waste to see all of it in ruins if N.K. suddenly went nuts and started another war.

So to stop it, I am here.
To protect and defend, I exist.
I am a R.O.K.A. soldier.

To my country, to my people, and to my dearest readers, with respect I salute.

I shall commence writing soon, whenever I have time.:) This is Part I of a 5 part blog which I have planned to write about the military life.
Part I was an introduction, an overview of a few facts and the reason for the existence of a mandatory military enlisting country. The following parts will be about other aspects of the military life, both fun and informative to the open and asking mind.^^

Hope you enjoy. Thanks for reading this. You will have a good day ahead. I promise. I sprinkled magic dust on these words......^^

Goodbye Old.

Today was hectic. I had to finish packing everything in the dorm to move out to my Parent's room till tomorrow. Tomorrow's the big day.:) I have to go to the Military Training Base by 1:30pm.

As I finished everything and stopped for a coffee at that regular coffee place I often go to, flashbacks of memories started playing in my mind.
For an hour, I enjoyed playing the movie of memories. A smile on my face, a thankful heart and an adventurous hope for the near future.....it was blissful.

The past year has been truly a great adventure, and the past few months of freedom truly a great joy and insight. Love is all around.
Each and every person is loved, in some way or the other.:) Maybe he doesn't notice it, but it is there.

To you, I send you my love, where on the planet you may be.:)
To you I send you my goodbyes, thanking you for reading this and being a part of my life.
To the world, I send my thanks, for in the harshest times I found my answers.

And finally, to me, I send me my bestest wishes for the future is promising.
Life is change. Change is the game. Goodbye to the Old, Hello to the New.

So Goodbye world, and.....Hello...world.:)

Peace, love, light and Joy to you, dear reader.
I shall keep you informed, dear Journal.

Goodbye.

A notice from the Government.

Mobile phones, addresses, emails- The Government SURE does know my whereabouts and all my personal information.

First a letter is sent to my Grandmother's house informing me of my obligation to Military service.
Then an email notice is sent to me informing me of the date by which I must show myself at the Military Base. Next, a mobile phone message confirms the same, 10am in the morning of a random day.
These people KNOW how to get their message across. And I got it.

I have been called to serve 21 months of Military training and service.
Every able bodied Korean man has to. My turn has come.

I oblige and I surrender my time. My country is powerful, but small. My country would like to be ready for any outbreak of war. As much as we would like to join with North Korea and unite, we find it hard to trust their spontaneous and dangerous ruler.
I trust and believe my country does not seek to ATTACK, but to DEFEND. And DEFEND my country I will. So I go....off to the Military Base. On the 28th of February. 21 months.

Nothing in hand.
Ready for another chapter in life.

I am a Souldier, not a Soldier. I fight the battle of the Souls. My soul is my identity. And in this identity I dwell. And as a soldier engaged in Soul work.....I introduce myself to you - John Hwangbo, the Souldier.

May the journey begin.....