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If you're preparing for a Permanent Change of Station (PCS) to U.S. Marine Corps Forces Korea (MARFORK), or considering us for your next duty station, then you're in the right place. This section is intended to provide you with the necessary information for you to make informed decisions and to ensure your transition is as smooth as possible.
MARFORK commands all U.S Marine forces assigned to USFK and UNC; advises United States Forces Korea (USFK) and United Nations Command (UNC) on the capabilities, support, and proper employment of Marine force; and supports the defense of the Republic of Korea (ROK) by facilitating the rapid introduction of U.S. Marine forces onto the Korean Peninsula in order to maintain stability in Northeast Asia. MARFORK is located on U.S. Army Garrison (USAG) Humphreys in Pyeongtaek, South Korea. Camp Humphreys is the largest U.S. overseas installation and offers service members and families modern on-post care: PX, commissary, two movie theaters, bowling alley, six different restaurants, a water park, multiple gyms to include a three-story gym just to name a few!
Camp Humphreys produced a video to see the instillation firsthand! DVIDS - Video - Come To South Korea (dvidshub.net)
South Korea is among the top 10 safest countries and offers an endless list of beaches, mountain ranges, temples, amusement and water parks, shopping and more. There is no longer a curfew for service members and their families leaving the beautiful country open for travel. If you do not have a vehicle or simply choose not to drive, South Korea provides a wide variety of pristine public transportation making travel through the country easy. We are in the perfect location to travel anywhere in the Pacific... Japan, Thailand, New Zealand, Vietnam and many other desirable locations are just a short and often affordable flight away!
DVIDS - Video - Come To South Korea (dvidshub.net)
The Korea-U.S. relationship formally began when Joseon (the name of Korea in 1882) and the United States signed the Joseon-U.S. Treaty of 1882 which officially established diplomatic relations and declared there “shall be perpetual peace and friendship” between the two countries.
Following the end of World War II, Korea was freed from Japanese colonial rule and officially welcomed liberation on August 15, 1945. In 1948, the Korean Peninsula was split between the North and the South creating the foundation of the Republic of Korea (ROK).
On June 25, 1950, North Korea executed a surprise attack on the South, which led to the outbreak of the Korean War. The UN forces sent a large number of military forces to help South Korea, and fought side by side with them in the Korean War for several years until an armistice agreement was reached on July 27, 1953. Even in present day, the Korean Peninsula remains “at war” as a peace treaty was never formally signed.
In 1953, the Commander in Chief of United Nations Command, Commander of the Korean People’s Army, and Commander of Chinese People’s Volunteers signed the Armistice Agreement. The next year, the Republic of Korea and the United States signed the ROK-U.S. Mutual Defense Treaty. This treaty, which signified the first military Alliance Korea had ever formed with a foreign country for its own national defense, led the United States Armed Forces in Korea to play an important role in deterring war on the Korean Peninsula and maintaining peace and security across Northeast Asia.
On November 7, 1978, the ROK-U.S. Combined Forces Command was established and remains a steadfast symbol of the military Alliance between the Republic of Korea and the United States. Combined Forces Command (CFC) is a distinctive military command, unique from any other U.S. Alliance command structure, taking its direction, policy, and missions from the combined Military Committee while answering to both National Command Authorities.
Today, the ROK and the U.S. have strong ties in many areas to include politics, economics, society, military, and security. However, the Korean Peninsula remains geographically divided by war. Even after the signing of the armistice agreement, provocations by North Korea have continued, nuclear weapons testing and advanced missiles threaten the security of the Korean Peninsula, northeast Asia, and the United States. However, even with such challenges, the ROK-U.S. Alliance remains stronger than ever. You are a key component to our strength.
Today, the iron-clad security Alliance between the Republic of Korea and the United States continues to deter war on the Korean Peninsula, while ensuring peace throughout the region.
Every Marine needs to complete their outbound interview. Your outbound interview will allow your administrative section to draft your orders and inform our administrative section (G-1) when we should expect you. For this to occur you'll need to complete the following: screenings, checklists, and scheduling. You'll be starting with your Overseas screening, found in the travel section of Marine Online (MOL).
The service member will need to complete the NAVPERS_1300/16 which allows your command to evaluate your suitability for an overseas tour. This is a standard procedure when PCSing to an overseas duty stations. You'll be screened by your direct chain of command, your Command Sergeant Major, and Commanding Officer.
It's time to go to the Distribution Management Office (DMO) and start working on sending your household goods. To initiate the process, you'll need to log onto the Defense Personal Property (DPS) website, move.mil, and let them know what you're wanting to bring, or store.
For anyone PCSing between May and August, we recommend that you send your unaccompanied baggage one month prior to your arrival, and if you're sending both unaccompanied baggage and a household goods shipment, we recommend two months prior.
Check your orders, you may be able to bring a vehicle with you. There are many options for purchasing a vehicle here in Korea, and you may not need one since the public transportation is well developed. If you decide to bring your Personal Owned Vehicle (POV) it will take approximately a month and a half for it to arrive on the peninsula. To get this process started, you need to access PCSmyPOV.com which will walk you through what you need to know and do.
Now that you've completed your outbound interview, you should check if you received an email from MARFORK. Sometimes these emails get sent to the junk or spam folders, so be sure to look in those as well. This initial email will welcome you to MARFORK and introduce you to your sponsor. Your sponsor is there for you and ready to help with your PCS and ensure you have a smooth and successful transition to MARFORK. If you have not been contacted by MARFORK or your sponsor, please reach out to your respective section using the contact information provided in the "contact us" portion of the website located towards the top right of your screen.
U.S. Army Garrison Camp Humphreys is responsible for all housing aboard the installation. Currently, there is a mandatory government housing assignment policy for military personnel on accompanied and unaccompanied orders. Do not enter into an off post lease agreement without obtaining approval from the Humphreys Housing Office.
The USAG Humphreys policy is to have housing assigned within 15 days of the members arrival. If housing isn't available on the installation, you'll be approved to seek housing off post. Your Temporary Living Allowance (TLA) will cover your living expenses while you're house hunting, and depending on your situation you can be approved weekly extensions.
Marines on accompanied PCS orders need to confirm that they're authorized to bring pets to Korea. This will be outlined in your PCS orders. With the authorization you're only allowed to have two (2) pets (dog, cat, or combination). Off base housing will not be authorized to purely accommodate pet(s), to include emotional support animals.
There pet policies are constantly changing and requires additional planning and preparation. To start the process, reference the PCS with Pets to Republic of Korea guide.
For your PCS you're offered 90-days of loaner furniture support. The furniture consists of items to accommodate the living room, bedroom and dining room. For many of the items you'll be able to use them for the duration of your tour.
Appliances (stove, refrigerator, washer/dryer) are provided for the duration of your tour for both government housing and off post private rental housing. You will be provided with a list of approved Landlords and Realtors when you're approved to live out in town. The Landlords / Realtors cannot solicit you to purchase appliances and/or electronic equipment for off post rentals. If they do, please let the Housing Division know immediately.
If you need more information you can check out the U.S. Army Garrison Humphreys housing division website: Housing Division :: USAG Humphreys (army.mil)
Another recourse is the Directorate of Public Works (DPW) Housing Division Information Sheet: HOUSING_INFORMATION_SHEET_2021.pdf (army.mil)
Pets are not allowed in unaccompanied housing. Off base housing will not be authorized to purely accommodate pet(s), to include emotional support animals.
For your PCS you're offered furniture consists of items to accommodate the living room, bedroom and dining room. These items can be temporary if you decide to bring your own, or can be used for the duration of your tour.
Appliances (stove, refrigerator, washer/dryer) are provided for the duration of your tour. A washer and dryer are provided in your residence for the E6-E9 and O1-O5 in the Senior Living Quarters (SLQ). There are community washers and dryers in the Batchler Enlisted Quarters (BEQ).
Starting June 1, 2023, DoDEA Pacific high schools will offer conditional enrollment to military-connected students who are moving to Japan, Okinawa, Korea or Guam due to Permanent Change of Station orders.
To be eligible for conditional enrollment, the student must:
Meet eligibility requirements for space required enrollment.
Be requesting enrollment into grades 9-12
Arrive at assigned duty station within three months of requesting conditional enrollment.
Click HERE!
Note: There are two DoDEA Pacific high schools in Okinawa, and enrollment is determined based on housing location. Please consult the school zoning map and ensure conditional enrollment is completed at the appropriate high school.