FORT HOOD, Texas - With help from some local universities, Soldiers from 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team may avoid some common cultural pitfalls during the brigade's nine-month deployment to South Korea.
Guest lecturers spoke to Soldiers from the 91st Engineer Battalion "Sabers," 1st ABCT, on a variety of topics, including Korean language, history, culture and food at the Mission Command Training Complex here Jan 8.
"It gave us a different perspective having civilians come and talk to us about Korea," said Maj. Alexander Samms, operations officer for 91st Engineer Battalion, 1st ABCT.
Additional training, like cultural lectures, ensures that Soldiers are prepared on and off the battlefield to represent the U.S. well, said Samms.
Sonia Kim Uber, a lecturer in Korean culture from Baylor University, discussed some of the basic phrases to know in Korean, the currency and a little history of the land. The presentation also included videos about many other topics, including Korean food and Taekwondo, a martial arts developed in Korea.
"I hope the Soldiers learn more about the Korean culture, people and a little bit of the Korean language, too," said Uber.
Soldiers also received advice on everything from table etiquette, like not sticking their chopsticks into the rice bowl, to driving in Korea. The recommendations were to prepare the Soldiers to represent the U.S. during their rotation there.
"I think they have more influence than they think they do," said Samms, "It's an excellent opportunity for Soldiers to be a positive presence, and to share American culture and perspectives."
One message shared by many speakers was for Soldiers to get out and explore the different opportunities and cultural venues that Korea has to offer.
"Please don't waste your time; there is a lot over there to do," said Sungkwun Ha, a Southwestern University seminary student who was a Korean augmentee to the U.S. Army for two years. "I saw many Soldiers stay in their room because they thought there was nothing to do."
In preparation for the deployment, Soldiers conducted gunneries over the course of the spring and summer 2015, with a culminating field training exercise, Ironhorse Challenge, in August. The brigade completed a decisive action rotation at the Army's National Training Center at Fort Irwin, California, in October. Since that time, Soldiers have conducted additional gunneries, drills and command post exercises, in addition to preparing and shipping thousands of pieces of vehicles and equipment.
The brigade will be attached to the 2nd Infantry Division, replacing the 2nd ABCT, 1st Cav. Div., as the rotational force in Korea. Since the deactivation of the 1st ABCT, 2nd ID in June 2014, the U.S. has maintained a rotational armored brigade in the Peninsula.
The Ironhorse Brigade has a proud history of supporting the nation's allies, deploying to the Germany, Poland and the Baltics in 2014 as part of Operation Atlantic Resolve and Combined Resolve II and III.
"I hope they have a good experience in Korea and with the Korean people," said Uber.