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Eighth Army stands down for safety

by Spc. Lynnette M. Jefferson

YONGSAN GARRISON, Korea (Army News Service, Jan. 21, 2003) -- Eighth U.S. Army held a stand-down dubbed "New Horizons Day" earlier this month, command officials said, in order to teach, educate and inform soldiers about principles to help ensure mission readiness, training safety, and foster good relations with the people of Korea.

Training and briefings were conducted Jan. 6 and 7 for all 8th Army soldiers stationed on the peninsula. Topics discussed were sustaining the Republic of Korea/U.S. alliance, making Korea the assignment of choice, individual soldiers' and leaders' responsibilities for making USFK/ROK relations better, and training safety and risk management.

"I have ordered soldiers and civilians throughout the command to stand-down and conduct our second New Horizons Day. Our mission is to deter aggression and, if deterrence fails, defend the Republic of Korea. Everyday, we must be prepared to fight and win, just as we did 50 years ago. The ROK/US alliance is trained and ready to fight tonight together, Katchi Kapshida, and defeat any aggression at any time," said Lt. Gen. Charles C. Campbell, commander, 8th U.S. Army.

Campbell also told soldiers of the importance of being in a safety-conscious changing environment. "The thing of today's New Horizon's Day is understanding the changing operational environment," said Campbell. "Change is happening all around us and we must anticipate and adapt to it. The stand-down is also to talk about safety. Safety is everyone's responsibility."

Col. William D. Ivey, chief of staff, 8th U.S. Army, also stressed the importance of safety.

"Every soldier and civilian is a safety officer. If you see an unsafe act happening or about to happen, then get a hold of someone who has the ability to stop it," Ivey said.

Sgt. 1st Class Lander C. Reyna, equal opportunity advisor, 8th U.S. Army Troop Command, discussed changes and attitudes. Reyna said the classes showed how to recognize an attitude, take responsibility for attitudes, and help other team members diagnose an attitude.

"Soldiers must clarify their values and how their values incorporate with the team's values and the organization's values. Think about something positive about the organization, about change," she said.

The Korean Augmentation to the U.S. Army, KATUSAs, were recognized. "These soldiers are the future leaders of Korean society," Campbell said. "The impression you form on them will last a lifetime. The relationships you build, the things you leave behind, are the legacy you leave to those who follow in your footsteps."

Ivey also discussed the importance of good relations with the KATUSA soldiers. "The KATUSAs are absolutely vital to our ability to accomplish our mission on a day-to-day basis. They are an asset that we need to make sure we use," Ivey said. "Their perceptions of Americans are probably formed during their two years as KATUSAs. If they leave here with a positive attitude, you have made a friend for America," he said.

The Korean Services Corps Battalion was also acknowledged.

"These personnel are part of our team and part of our Korean national workforce," said Campbell. "During the Korean War, the KSC played a vital role in providing combat service support to the United Nations Command and to the Republic of Korea Army.

"Today the KSC has much to be proud of. These dedicated civilians continue to contribute to military readiness by performing combat service and combat service support functions to USFK and 8th Army. In addition to their armistice mission, the KSC trains to be ready for war," Campbell continued. "The Korean Service Corps...it's a perfect example of how the Korean national populace has innovated into 8th Army here on the peninsula."

Campbell also stressed the importance of communication and cultural awareness. "New Horizons Day is about communication. Cross-cultural communication. That is, communication across language barriers and different cultural traditions," Campbell said.