Is That Legal?

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December 20, 2005

across the international dateline...

...it's already tomorrow (as per eric's post below). the next few days i'll be blogging both here and on my own site from (currently snowy) south korea. i'll try to keep my posts here at least somewhat interesting, and my usual blather over on laloca.org. most likely i'll be writing about what it's like to be back here, after a 27-year absence, and random observations on what life must be like for the servicemembers posted up here at camp casey, "a speed bump on the way to seoul from pyongyang."

from the link above,

Camp Casey is one of the forty-two camps north of Seoul authorized Hardship Duty Pay of $150 per month as of 01 January 2001. The Hardship Duty Pay is paid to troops who are permanently assigned to areas where it is authorized or who serve 30 consecutive days of temporary duty in those areas. Several factors are considered in determining whether a location qualified for the pay: climate, physical and social isolation, sanitation, disease, medical facilities, housing, food, recreational and community facilities, political violence, harassment and crime. The extra pay provides meaningful financial recognition to troops assigned in areas where living conditions are substantially below US standards.

from what i've seen so far, the climate isn't much different from the midwest (high today around 20F); however, the physical and social isolation is intense. sanitation? an open sewer runs through the base; if not for the stench and questionable health impact it would be charming: local ducks huddle near the outflow points to take advantage of the warmer water. there's a bowling alley, so i suppose that qualifies as the "recreational facilities," and plenty of drinky girls (basically indentured servants, mostly philippina and russian) to be seen at the bars in "the ville." i can't help but wonder if the USG is thinking of soldier-on-soldier "harassment and crime" when they figure the hardship pay -- from what i understand, such things are far from rare. photos and more informed commentary to follow.

Posted by at December 20, 2005 7:05 PM

Comments

Posted by: lostingotham at December 20, 2005 9:07 PM