Well, here’s a first after 5 years in Korea:
5W Report on Early Dismissal of Non-mission essential military and civilian personnel
WHO: ALL non-mission essential military and civilian USFK personnel at Yongsan Garrison
WHAT: Early dismissal
WHERE: Yongsan Garrison
WHEN: 4 Jan 2010, 1200(I)
WHY: Current snow emergency and associated safety concerns
NARRATIVE: Per authority of the Deputy Chief of Staff, United States Forces Korea (USFK), due to the current snow emergency and associated safety concerns, all non-mission essential military and civilian USFK personnel located at the Yongsan garrison are authorized early dismissal at 1200 hours, Mon 4 Jan. Authority for release of personnel at other locations resides at garrison commanders at each respective location. To avoid unnecessary congestion at gates, supervisors should establish a time-phased dismissal plan for individuals driving POVs.
Employees subject to early dismissal will not be charged personal leave for this absence. Essential employees required to remain on duty are not entitled to additional compensation.
Employees who are on previously approved leave shall continue to be charged leave for the entire workday.
Questions regarding this policy should be directed to DHRM 724-3992.
Employees should be reminded to exercise extreme caution as they return to their homes.
All personnel are directed to monitor AFN radio and TV during 4 Jan and through the morning of 5 Jan for updated information on road conditions, closures, and any potential delays.
Ok, it is only half a snow day, but still. We’ve got a good 10 inches or so on the ground and it is still falling. I drove in this morning and barely made it up the hill to the main drag. I’ll be walking home this afternoon.
It’s pretty outside, but a royal pain in the rear.
John I did not know you were ESSENTIAL military personnel. I always thought you were MORALE officer.
I remember a similar snowfall there in maybe 2001 or 2002 on Valentine’s Day. I was heading out for the evening, took two steps out of my apartment, then went barrel-rolling down a flight of stairs covered in ice and snow, bruising my elbow and my pride. I managed to avoid breaking my bottle of booze, but the shot glasses I had in my coat pockets were shattered.
I do believe that we spent the rest of the evening sitting in a second floor pub in Edae watching high heeled lasses navigate sidewalks like doe-eyed bambis. Good comedy. I suggest you get yourself comfortably in a window seat with a gullet warming pint of beer or 7 and do the same.
Ah the things we do remember, eh? Doe-eyed Bambi’s. Too funny…