Photo By Staff Sgt. Johnathan Hoover | Soldiers from the 8th Brigade Engineer Battalion, 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st...... read more read more
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CAMP HOVEY, South Korea – Soldiers of the 8th Brigade Engineer Battalion, 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, were given a unique opportunity June 27 to explore the Shinsagae Mall in Uijeongbu, South Korea, with a special tour guide.
Capt. Joon Ahn, chaplain for 8th BEB, a native of Seoul, Korea, who now calls Fort Worth, Texas, home was the guide for the Soldiers to help translate and raise cultural awareness by exposing the Soldiers to the culture.
Ahn was also a member of the Republic of Korea’s Army in which most male South Korean citizens are required to serve for a minimum of two years.
Ahn planned and organized the trip which he labeled the “Chaplain’s Mall and Movie Adventure.”
The Shinsagae Mall is a sprawling multi-level mall containing 10 floors with each floor containing a different genre for the ultimate shopping experience with a movie theatre located on the tenth floor. There is also an underground shopping area just outside the mall in which the Soldiers could explore.
“This trip is designed to build esprit de corps and enhance cultural awareness,” said Ahn. “Also to increase the well being of overall emotions, spiritual dimension and outlook on life for all the Soldiers.”
“This trip gave us a chance to get out, interact with people and see a different place other than where we are currently on Camp Casey and Camp Hovey,” said Spc. Jacob Haugh, native of Orange, California.
We are getting accustomed to the culture, different people, the currency rate and how to use the train system in a safe way to get where we need to go if we want to, said 1st Lt. Joshua Kipling, the assistant intelligence officer assigned to Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 8th BEB.
“I believe the Soldiers are enjoying the trip, exploring the Korean culture,” said Ahn.
“The interaction with the local community has been really good, they are really nice and honest,” said Haugh, a combat engineer assigned to Bravo Company, 8th BEB.
“They have helped us with ordering food and paying for it.”
When out in the cities, Soldiers can either convert money to South Korean won or use their credit or debit cards.
“I have been able to see a lot with my team and my squad,” said Haugh. “This has definitely been a team building event we could all share together.”
Ahn is not finished yet with more trips being planned to other locations.
“We will absolutely have more trips to explore here,” said Ahn. “ I want to schedule hiking trips, a visit to the Korean War museum and other historical locations.”
Kipling, a native of Reno, Nevada, said he was excited to explore more places here in South Korea.
“Chaplain Ahn was meticulous in the planning process and we are going to try to go to some different places within our area,” said Kipling. “Chaplain Ahn is a great asset to us to help us explore the location we find ourselves.”
All the Soldiers agreed, the day was a great opportunity to interact and gain awareness of not only the cultural differences but also building relationships as Soldiers with the local communities in the area where “Black Jack” will be operating.
| Date Taken: | 06.29.2015 |
| Date Posted: | 06.29.2015 04:17 |
| Story ID: | 168467 |
| Location: | CAMP HOVEY, 26, KR |
| Hometown: | SEOUL, 11, KR |
| Hometown: | ORANGE, CA, US |
| Hometown: | RENO, NV, US |
| Web Views: | 927 |
| Downloads: | 1 |
This work, 'Black Jack' chaplain helps breach culture gap, by SSG Johnathan Hoover, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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