R.O.K. Marines have that 'ole Marine Corps Spirit'
Otis Willie
(EXCERPT) Submitted by: Marine Forces Pacific Story Identification
Number: 200299132629 Story by Cpl. Luis R. Agostini
PALAN, Republic of Korea(Sept. 6, 2002) -- PALAN, Republic of Korea -
One of the biggest reasons U.S. Marines look forward to participating
in Ulchi Focus Lens exercise each year, is the opportunity to serve
with our South Korean counterparts, the Republic of Korea Marines.
The nearly all-male, R.O.K. Marine Corps was established April 15,
1949, with an initial strength of 380 men. This newborn Corps did not
take long to hit the front lines. They fought side by side with
American troops, enduring the treacherous arctic weather during the
Korean War in the early 1950s. A decade later, they joined U.S. forces
in the dangerous jungles in the Vietnam. As a result, they have aptly
earned the monikers of "The Invincible R.O.K. Marines" and "The
Legendary R.O.K. Marines."
Now more than 25,000 troops strong, the R.O.K. Marine Corps is
composed of the Headquarters R.O.K. Marine Corps Command, two
divisions, one brigade, an education brigade, and the Yongpyong Corps,
which guards South Korea's borders and the Yellow Sea, all of which
are tasked with the responsibility of landing operations.
According to a report published by www.globalsecurity.org, the R.O.K.
Marine Corps fleet of amphibious vehicles consists of sixty-one
landing vehicles tracked (LVT) and forty-two amphibious assault
vehicles-7A1. Additionally, in an effort to replace the LVTs, the
R.O.K. Marine Corps is in the final year of a fifty-seven vehicle,
three-year AAV7A1 co-production effort. They are also in the process
of modifying that contract and producing an additional sixty-seven
AAV7A1s.
The R.O.K. Marine Corps stands out among the other Korean military
services in several ways. While military service is required for all
19-year old males in the Republic of Korea, the only service in which
the obligated young men volunteer to serve is the R.O.K. Marine Corps.
This policy is similar to the Marine Corps recruiting agenda, where
America's force in readiness dares young men and women to accept the
challenge of becoming a United States Marine.
Recruit training for all R.O.K. recruits lasts an intense six weeks.
They receive training in the fundamen...
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Otis Willie
Associate Librarian
The American War Library
http://www.americanwarlibrary.com