USFK changes curfew and POV driving policy

Published July 31, 2008
By Gen. Walter L. Sharp
USFK commander

HEADQUARTERS USFK, Republic of Korea -- Over the past 45 days, Command Sgt. Maj. Winzenried and I have sought the opinions of senior leaders, servicemembers and their families regarding two USFK policies: curfew and POV driving privileges.

First, we have great servicemembers in our military; the great, great majority of them always do the right thing. I do not believe we should punish these great servicemembers for the acts of a very few. On the other hand, we must also understand the acts of one or two can affect the strength of the ROK-U.S. Alliance. Korean culture believes the acts of each individual reflect on the character of all.

After receiving input from all of you, I have decided to change both of these policies. As we strive to create three-year accompanied and two-year unaccompanied tours that align closer to what we have in Europe and Japan, these changes make sense. I believe these changes will enhance the quality of life for all our personnel. With these expanded liberties and benefits, however, comes greater responsibility to ensure the implementation and execution of these new policies in a success.

The new curfew and driving policies emphasize the need for our servicemembers, civilians and their families to act responsibly as we are all ambassadors to Korea and our actions impact how our hosts perceive our nation and military. The new policies also require leaders at all echelons to counsel our current and future troopers on their responsibilities and liabilities if the act irresponsibly.

Effective Aug. 15, the USFK curfew policy is changed as follows:

An off-installation curfew remains in effect from 12:01 to 5 a.m., Sunday night through Friday morning, but effective Aug. 15, the curfew restriction on Friday, Saturday and Sunday morning, U.S.-observed holidays will change from 1 to 5 a.m., to 3 to 5 a.m.

If you are on official leave and you have a valid copy of your official leave form in your possession, you are exempt from curfew entirely, except the night before you are schedule to report back to work.

Every six months, I will review the effect of this change in curfew policy to determine whether these lessened restriction remain appropriate, can be further lessened, or whether the restrictive measures are required. The new policy can be found at www.usfk.mil/usfk/command_policies/USFK%20CPL07.pdf

Also effective Aug. 15, the USFK POV driving privileges policy (USFK Regulation 190-1, Motor Vehicle Traffic Supervision) is changed as follows:

The current policy states that command-sponsored servicemembers in grades E-6 and below require written approval by the first O-5 commander in the chain to obtain a USFK diver's license to operate at POV in Korea. This requirement has created unnecessary hardships and did not improve quality of life. This requirement has become a hindrance to the families of personnel E-6 and below who shipped a POV to Korea.

Under my new policy, E-7s and above, and all command-sponsored personnel may own and register a POV with USFK. Non-command sponsored E-6s and below may be granted an exception to policy to own and register a POV with USFK by the first O-6 in the chain and the responsible O-6 Area commander.

All servicemembers may take the driver's license test and be licensed with the approval of the first O-5 in their chain of command. The interim change can be found at www.usfk.mil/usfk/command_policies/InterimPolicy1.pdf.

Again, I urge all USFK personnel to act responsibly and make sure their "buddies" act responsibly and in a safe manner as well. We are all ambassadors and our actions impact how our hosts perceive our nation and our military.

Katchi Kapshida, We Go Together!

USFK changes curfew, driving policy