[BlueLancer]

Having served three widely-spaced tours in the 2nd Infantry Division at Camp Casey, in Tongduchon, up near the DMZ, where you would expect people to be just a little bit more appreciative of the US Army presence .. with the NKA just over the ridgeline .. I would make the following observations:

(a) First tour 1979-1980: I would vehemently disagree with any proposal to pull out of Korea, probably with the emphasis of a fist to the nose of the individual making the proposal, having had a very pleasant experience with the populace;

(b) Second tour 1988-1989: I would disagree with the proposal to pull out of Korea, although indicating that I could probably argue both sides of the discussion, having had a reasonably pleasant experience with the populace up by the DMZ but a much less pleasant time with individuals south of Uijongbu/Camp Red Cloud;

(c) Third tour 1993-1994: I would not only agree with the proposal, but would inquire as to when the boats would be made available and could it be done yesterday at the latest. The tide of public opinion was turning against us even up by the DMZ, except for the very oldest people who personally remembered the Korean War.

Now, after hearing from friends who are still in the Army and recently or presently assigned to Korea, I would advocate not only pulling out all of our troops, but liberally bombing both sides of the DMZ with nukes after completing that task.

[biblewonk]

Wow that's a huge change from the early 80's when I was in the Army. It seemed like 1 out of 6 guys I met had been on a tour to Korea and they said the Korean soldiers loved us.