U.S. DoD changes regulation to allow for longer tours in Korea Published April 17, 2009 By USFK Public Affairs USAG Yongsan, Republic of Korea -- The Department of Defense approved changes to the Joint Federal Travel Regulation that affects the length of military tours in Korea on March 2. The revised JFTR allows for 24 or 36-month accompanied tours at Pyeongtaek, Osan, Daegu, Chinhae and Seoul. Two additional locations, Dongducheon and Uijeongbu now offer 24-month accompanied tours. "This is a great change for everyone; our service members and their families who can now be stationed here together, our military force in Korea which benefits from improved readiness and continuity, and the Republic of Korea" said General Walter Sharp, USFK commander. "All service members will benefit from the exciting opportunities a tour in Korea offers; training in the full spectrum of combat operations, benefitting from added stability and predictability with their families, and having the chance to see one of the most dynamic and fascinating countries in the world." The military services have a number of incentive programs in place for service members who accept extended tours in Korea. Any Army or Air Force service member who accepts a three-year accompanied tour to Korea will receive $300 in incentive pay every month from arrival in Korea until departure. Army and Air Force service members accepting a two-year accompanied tour in Dongducheon and Uijeongbu will also receive the incentive pay, but only if their family members live with them in Area I. The commander identified a number of benefits that will result from tour normalization to include increased continuity and readiness, the strengthening of the ROK-U.S. Alliance, better training opportunities, and returning cost savings from fewer permanent change of station moves back to the services. "Stabilizing our warfighters on longer, accompanied tours directly enhances our warfighting capability by enhancing continuity and eliminating the constant churn of mass annual rotations," said General Sharp. "Tour normalization will strengthen the alliance by providing more opportunities for interaction between Americans and Koreans. It allows more families to accompany their service members to the Republic of Korea and experience the dynamic Korean culture and warmth of the Korean people while signaling a strong and visible commitment by the U.S. to the ROK. "Now that the JFTR has been changed to accommodate expanded tour lengths, we will continue to focus on improving infrastructure, services and base support to allow for an ever greater number of service members to come to Korea on command-sponsored tours with their families," said General Sharp. "Our goal is to reach the point when the majority of U.S. service members can bring their families to Korea and stay for normal three-year tours."