Photo By Sgt. Sang-cheol Lee | Maj. Gen. Thomas S. Vandal, Second Infantry Division commander, encourages Cpl. Kim...... read more read more
CAMP JACKSON, South Korea – Korean Augmentation to the United States Army (KATUSA) soldiers are more than just easygoing battle buddies. KATUSAs push themselves hard to prove their abilities as young leaders who excel with fellow U.S. soldiers in completing and attaining the highest commemorating during Army training.
Cpl. Kim Jin-koo, 19th Expeditionary Sustainment Command G-3 clerk, graduated from the Warrior Leader Course (WLC) placing 6th on the Commandant’s List, receiving a certificate of Achievement for the Iron Warrior Award on Aug. 2 at Camp Jackson.
Kim volunteered to go to WLC to develop himself even though it is not compulsory for KATUSAs who have to serve only two years in the U.S. Army.
“Ever since my military occupational specialty had been desk job, I have felt boredom from the monotony. I needed some change in my military life and new experience to challenge myself,” Kim said.
He went through various trainings that WLC contain such as written tests, physical readiness training (PRT), conduct individual training (CIT), Army correspondence, oral history brief, land navigation, situational training exercise (STX), Garrison leadership and tactical leadership. It was not easy for him to complete these training as a foreign soldier in the U.S. Army.
“Training like STX troubled me because of my shortage of military experience unlike the U.S. soldiers. Moreover, commanding soldiers in English was a bit difficult for me,” Kim said.
Difficulties from the military experience deficiency challenged Kim to accomplish the given missions in the course. Nevertheless, he overcame it with high motivation and confidence ending up with making the Commandant’s List and earning the Certificate of Achievement for the Iron Warrior.
“I devoted myself to every class and training with high motivation not to be underestimated or defeated by the fellow U.S. soldiers in the course. I think the motivated and positive mindset I had was the key factor that made me surmount the difficulties,” Kim said.
Kim believes the challenges and lessons learned in WLC groomed him for the next level.
“I learned how to effectively manage and lead the soldiers. Also, it was a nice opportunity to test my physical strength and patience,” Kim said. “Although I do not think WLC does not need to be mandatory for KATUSAs, I think it is really a great experience to improve the essential capacities not only for the military life, but also for the future life.”
After the WLC graduation, Kim became assured that KATUSAs can fulfill tasks as any other soldier.
“I am very satisfied that I proved KATUSAs can accomplish given missions as good as the U.S. Soldiers do and proud of myself that I raised the prestige of the ROK and ROKA as a representative,” Kim said.
| Date Taken: | 08.09.2013 |
| Date Posted: | 08.09.2013 00:21 |
| Story ID: | 111614 |
| Location: | CAMP JACKSON, DAEGU GWANG'YEOGSI [TAEGU-KWANGYOKSHI], KR |
| Web Views: | 348 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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