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7th AF commander introduces Korean Readiness Orientation

  • Published
  • By Capt. Tamara Fischer-Carter
  • 51st Fighter Wing Public Affairs
OSAN AIR BASE, Republic of Korea --  For a quick look at the KRO policy click here

Lt. Gen. Jan-Marc Jouas, 7th Air Force commander, introduced the Korean Readiness Orientation policy to the 51st Fighter Wing, July 1.

The policy is applicable to all active-duty Airmen assigned to or attached for duty to 7th AF, its subordinate units and Air Force tenant units on the Korean peninsula.

"Readiness is my number one priority and General (Curtis) Scaparrotti's, (United States Forces Korea commander), as well -- and it should be yours, too," Jouas said.

Col. Brook Leonard, 51st FW commander, emphasizes Osan's top priority of always being ready to fight and win, which requires all Airmen to be properly equipped and trained, including those who have just recently arrived. The intent of the KRO is to achieve that goal by indoctrinating all Airmen newly assigned to the Republic of Korea with the highest standards of readiness, safety, health, welfare, good order and discipline.

"Airmen must understand the threat when they come here," Jouas said. "We have a serious mission with a serious enemy, and we must be ready to contend with that by utilizing personal resiliency and a readiness orientation program."

KRO consists of activities to be completed by all Airmen within 30 days of their date of arrival in the ROK. Additional, unit-specific activities may be added to the orientation program as determined by local command authorities. KRO activities are not intended to replace unit requirements, but are an addition to established in-processing requirements.

Incoming military members subject to this policy may not purchase or consume alcohol during the first 30 days from their date of arrival in the ROK. The 30 day period and associated restrictions may be extended in certain circumstances until an Airman's initial feedback session is complete. Unit commanders may also extend these restrictions if an individual is not ready to accomplish the mission or sustain the alliance.

"We are guests here and not only do our actions matter, they have strategic implications," Jouas said. "This is a fresh start to change the tone in Korea and leave a culture that is better than how we found it."

Subordinate commanders and supervisors will be charged with ensuring all military personnel are briefed on the contents of KRO. The Defense Biometric Identification System will serve as the system of record to track the 30 day timeline for newly assigned Airmen.

"We must affect change," Jouas said. "We're counting on you as everyone is going through the KRO because we need to lead from the front and we need to lead by example."

The general encouraged Airmen to take ownership and emphasized the importance of leadership. However, he added it is the leadership of immediate supervisors and individual sponsors of newly arrived Airmen that will determine the success of each unit.

"Airmen assigned to Korea must understand what it means to be ready to fight tonight and why we must be ready," Jouas said. "They must also understand their role in that picture and make it their number one priority to be absolutely ready to defeat any enemy."