Ajumma’s Tent

Just got out of the field and once again I always find it amusing how different going to the field and training in Korea is compared to be stationed back in the US. It really is a cultural shock for soldiers who have spent the majority of their careers in the US and have never been stationed in Korea.

The first big difference is the lack of training land in Korea. This is something that can’t be helped due to the size of the country. Then there are the convoys on public roads to get from one place to another. In the states you would never have a tank driving through the middle of a densely populated city. Here it is common place. The training areas in the US are located adjacent to the army post. Here the training areas are miles away. It literally takes an hour or more to do a convoy brief here before you roll out due to the strict safety requirements. There are no safer convoys than 2ID convoys.

Then there are the civilians that just walking around the training lands picking vegetables or fishing or whatever else they are doing. Training lands in the US are strictly off limits to civilians where here it is not as tightly controlled. Because of this units at night wire themselves in triple strand concertina wire to keep “slicky boy” out which is the common GI slang term for a thief. “Slicky Boy” usually tries to steal Night Vision Goggles and soldiers gear. Especially sleeping bags and Gortex jackets because they get the most money for them. In the states you don’t have to worry about even bringing concertina wire.

Then the most notable and most welcome difference between going to the field in Korea compared to the US is “Ajumma’s Tent.” Ajumma’s Tent is always an old army tent that houses an older Korean woman that cooks food such as ramyon, fried rice, and bulgoki for the soldiers for a price. The price is usually pretty expensive. For example a bowl of bulgoki is $5 and then throw in a soda for another $1 and that is a $6 meal. Plus ajumma sells other things like phone cards and snacks for the soldiers which brings in more revenue. It is safe to say that ajumma makes a fortune in the field here. I don’t know if ajumma has a union or what but all the tents serve the same thing for the same price to ensure there is no competition for cheaper prices. Additionally ma’s tent serves as a place for soldiers to get warm and sit down and play cards and relax for a little while. Ajumma’s Tent is definitely a phenomenom unique to Korea. But I’m not complaining.