2nd Combat Aviation Brigade KATUSA story

Courtesy Photo | Cpl. Jae Hyok Choi, a senior KATUSA of the ROKA Support Office from the 2nd Combat Aviation Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division, is playing footbal during KATUSA training with fellow KATUSA Soldiers.  

PYEONGTAEK, 41, SOUTH KOREA

07.30.2015

Story by Chung Il Kim 

2nd Combat Aviation Brigade

PYEONGTAKE, South Korea - Q1. Please tell us your name and where you belong to.

I am a Korean Augmentation to the United States Army (KATUSA) CPL Jae Hyok Choi.
I am a Senior KATUSA and I work at the Republic of Korea Army Support Office at the Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 2nd Combat Aviation Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division.

Q2. What is a senior KATUSA and what do you do?

The Senior KATUSA is a position that requires leadership and responsibility.
Senior KATUSAs are the representatives of all the KATUSA soldiers in their units.
They work closely with ROK officers/NCOs to improve the working conditions of KATUSAs.
Senior KATUSAs manage KATUSAs personal information as well.

Q3. What kind of work do you do in your section?

I manage all the personal information of KATUSAs in HHC, 2CAB. I update KATUSAs' information on the ROK Army network system. I manage KATUSAs' leave and passes, and make appreciation awards for US Soldiers. Also, when KATUSAs have problems with their work or U.S. Soldiers, I help them solve the problems by giving the guidelines.

Q4. How was your life before joining the army? What did you do? -

Before joining the Army, I was a student at Boston University. I am majoring in business administration. I joined several clubs in college such as the marketing club and community service club.

Q5. What do you do after work? What do you do during the weekends?

I go to the gym and work out after work. In the evening, I study English and Chinese. During the weekends, I spend time with my family and Skype my girlfriend.

Q6. What is your plan after you finish your service?

I want to travel Europe after my service. After that, I am going to take summer classes and go back to college as a sophomore.

Q7. How do you like being a KATUSA? What have you learned?

I love being a KATUSA. I have learned many lessons since I joined the Army. I learned how to work with other soldiers. I also learned how to manage a classified information and use excel. These are the lessons that I would not have learned in college. I am glad to be a part of the Army and learning how to live with other people.

• Date Taken: 07.30.2015
• Date Posted: 07.30.2015 03:40
• Story ID: 171530
• Location: PYEONGTAEK, 41, KR