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90 proof
Joined: 28 Jan 2010
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 Posted: Tue Feb 09, 2010 5:36 pm Post subject: Military |
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| I have noticed reading in several posts that the soldiers from the military bases in Korea are not highly thought of in general. I see them refered to as stupid, obnoxious people that should be kept away from. My question is why? |
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daemyann
Joined: 09 Nov 2007
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| Posted: Tue Feb 09, 2010 5:43 pm Post subject: Re: Military |
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| 90 proof wrote: |
| I have noticed reading in several posts that the soldiers from the military bases in Korea are not highly thought of in general. I see them refered to as stupid, obnoxious people that should be kept away from. My question is why? |
Short answer, laziness.
It's easier to remember bad experiences than it is to remember good ones.
Also, because remembering and forming an opinion of the (few)soldiers who go beyond the boundaries of decency is significantly easier than forming opinions based on the model personnel you never see running topless through itaewon because, well, you never see them. |
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90 proof
Joined: 28 Jan 2010
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| Posted: Tue Feb 09, 2010 5:54 pm Post subject: Re: Military |
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| daemyann wrote: |
| 90 proof wrote: |
| I have noticed reading in several posts that the soldiers from the military bases in Korea are not highly thought of in general. I see them refered to as stupid, obnoxious people that should be kept away from. My question is why? |
Short answer, laziness.
It's easier to remember bad experiences than it is to remember good ones.
Also, because remembering and forming an opinion of the (few)soldiers who go beyond the boundaries of decency is significantly easier than forming opinions based on the model personnel you never see running topless through itaewon because, well, you never see them. |
I'm sure some of the military guys act like that, but there is good and bad in every group. It just seems that military guys get a bad rap as a whole. I have met some of the finest people I have ever known that were in military. It just seemed odd to me that in another post, that a lot of female ESL teachers don't date someone just because they are in the military.... |
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hapigokelli
Joined: 04 Aug 2009
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| Posted: Tue Feb 09, 2010 5:59 pm Post subject: |
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| I wouldn't date some one in the military. Not because I have any particular opinions about military guys, but because they chose a kind of ilfe that I would never want for myself. Why start dating someone who you know will be separated from you sooner or later and who may have no control in where they are sent? |
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Stalin84
Joined: 30 Dec 2009
Location: Haebangchon, Seoul
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| Posted: Tue Feb 09, 2010 6:04 pm Post subject: Re: Military |
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| 90 proof wrote: |
| It just seemed odd to me that in another post, that a lot of female ESL teachers don't date someone just because they are in the military.... |
I know a few female ESL teachers who only date army guys 
OP, I don't think everyone believes that every military personnel living in Korea is bad news. I've met some pretty decent, level headed soldiers here.
The problem people have with English teachers is that the "bar is set too low." We only need university degrees with clean records. Now, look at the military. No degree, criminal record, didn't graduate high school, can't read/write? No problem!
That means that while military personnel are a varied and diverse bunch, it is much more likely to run into unsavoury people in that group than it is to run into unsavoury English teachers (not that there aren't any). Additionally, a lot of soldiers here are younger than English teachers. A lot younger, sometimes young enough to date your students (16-19 years old).
We've all run into large groups of these guys in Itaewon, covered in cologne, wearing "bling" and saying things like "I'm gonna get me some POON, brah!" But there are also soldiers who stay at home with their families, explore Korea (I've seen a ton of them hiking while I was hiking) or do other constructive things.
Some soldiers have also told me that a lot of soldiers get sent to places like Korea, Japan and Germany so they won't get into any trouble. They're considered "pogues" and there is something wrong with them that keeps them away from active duty in warzones like Iraq and Afghanistan. I know that army does rotations and that potentially anyone could end up here but some of the ones who are stuck here indefinitely are "pogues" or "misfits."
When it comes down to it, the problem with the military is that the bar is set so low and the military has attracts a different "sort" of people. Sometimes it serves as a way out for people in situations back home that are far worse than the home lives of just about any English teachers (if you look really closely, you'll discover that many soldiers have Fetal Alcohol Syndrome which is a disease very prevalent in certain economic/social environments).
Just some stuff to keep in mind.
Last edited by Stalin84 on Tue Feb 09, 2010 6:13 pm; edited 2 times in total |
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redaxe
Joined: 01 Dec 2008
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| Posted: Tue Feb 09, 2010 6:05 pm Post subject: |
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As I mentioned in another post, you have to realize that enlisted men and officers are two very different things.
Enlisted men are mostly just high school educated, are from the rural midwest or south, and have correspondingly low socio-economic status. These are the knuckleheads you see getting wasted and acting rowdy in Itaewon. They are basically a bunch of man-children from the countryside let loose in Korea. How do you expect they're going to act?
The officers are a bit older and are all college-educated. They are basically just middle class people like you and me. They get decent salaries and live in nice apartments. They keep a bit lower profile. I have several friends here who are officers, and I couldn't even tell they were in the military when I first met them. I just assumed they were ESL teachers who had short hair.
Last edited by redaxe on Tue Feb 09, 2010 6:08 pm; edited 1 time in total |
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90 proof
Joined: 28 Jan 2010
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| Posted: Tue Feb 09, 2010 6:07 pm Post subject: |
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| hapigokelli wrote: |
| I wouldn't date some one in the military. Not because I have any particular opinions about military guys, but because they chose a kind of ilfe that I would never want for myself. Why start dating someone who you know will be separated from you sooner or later and who may have no control in where they are sent? |
It's a matter of personal preference, but there are a lot of Women around the world that do, and some people like to travel and see the world.... |
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andrewchon
Joined: 16 Nov 2008
Location: Back in Oz. Living in ISIS Aust.
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| Posted: Tue Feb 09, 2010 6:09 pm Post subject: |
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If you are referring American soldiers: that's because those are the kind of soldiers that'll kill the enemy and win battles.
Old adage is: those who pass parade don't pass combat. |
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90 proof
Joined: 28 Jan 2010
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| Posted: Tue Feb 09, 2010 6:16 pm Post subject: Re: Military |
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| Stalin84 wrote: |
| 90 proof wrote: |
| It just seemed odd to me that in another post, that a lot of female ESL teachers don't date someone just because they are in the military.... |
I know a few female ESL teachers who only date army guys
OP, I don't think everyone believes that every military personnel living in Korea is bad news. I've met some pretty decent, level headed soldiers here.
The problem people have with English teachers is that the "bar is set too low." We only need university degrees with clean records. Now, look at the military. No degree, criminal record, didn't graduate high school, can't read/write? No problem!
That means that while military personnel are a varied and diverse bunch, it is much more likely to run into unsavoury people in that group than it is to run into unsavoury English teachers (not that there aren't any). Additionally, a lot of soldiers here are younger than English teachers. A lot younger, sometimes young enough to date your students (16-19 years old).
We've all run into large groups of these guys in Itaewon, covered in cologne, wearing "bling" and saying things like "I'm gonna get me some POON, brah!" But there are also soldiers who stay at home with their families, explore Korea (I've seen a ton of them hiking while I was hiking) or do other constructive things.
Some soldiers have also told me that a lot of soldiers get sent to places like Korea, Japan and Germany so they won't get into any trouble. They're considered "pogues" and there is something wrong with them that keeps them away from active duty in warzones like Iraq and Afghanistan. I know that army does rotations and that potentially anyone could end up here but some of the ones who are stuck here indefinitely are "pogues" or "misfits."
When it comes down to it, the problem with the military is that the bar is set so low and the military has attracts a different "sort" of people. Sometimes it serves as a way out for people in situations back home that are far worse than the home lives of just about any English teachers.
Just some stuff to keep in mind. |
You mean the same 20 something's acting like alot of us did in college??? 
I can't say alot about the Army's ed. level now days, I know in the past, it was pretty low. BUT, don't put all the services into one box. I know more people in the Air Force WITH a BS/BA or masters degree than without, and that goes for enlisted as well as officers. So all military people might not be as uneducated as you might think.... |
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90 proof
Joined: 28 Jan 2010
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| Posted: Tue Feb 09, 2010 6:18 pm Post subject: |
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| redaxe wrote: |
As I mentioned in another post, you have to realize that enlisted men and officers are two very different things.
Enlisted men are mostly just high school educated, are from the rural midwest or south, and have correspondingly low socio-economic status. These are the knuckleheads you see getting wasted and acting rowdy in Itaewon. They are basically a bunch of man-children from the countryside let loose in Korea. How do you expect they're going to act?
The officers are a bit older and are all college-educated. They are basically just middle class people like you and me. They get decent salaries and live in nice apartments. They keep a bit lower profile. I have several friends here who are officers, and I couldn't even tell they were in the military when I first met them. I just assumed they were ESL teachers who had short hair. |
What do you have against the South? They have some of the finest universities in the US.... |
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Stalin84
Joined: 30 Dec 2009
Location: Haebangchon, Seoul
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| Posted: Tue Feb 09, 2010 6:21 pm Post subject: Re: Military |
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| 90 proof wrote: |
You mean the same 20 something's acting like alot of us did in college???
I can't say alot about the Army's ed. level now days, I know in the past, it was pretty low. BUT, don't put all the services into one box. I know more people in the Air Force WITH a BS/BA or masters degree than without, and that goes for enlisted as well as officers. So all military people might not be as uneducated as you might think.... |
Haha, yeah they're having what would be their "college experience" back home out here in Itaewon, Korea which explains A LOT.
While there are some tradesmen who have BA/BS degrees, I'd say the vast majority of non-commissioned members (don't know what the US calls it, "non-officers") only have trade specific training, High School or less. That is if the US military in any way resembles the Canadian military and more Canadians go to university than Americans, per capita. |
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danseonsaeng
Joined: 16 Nov 2008
Location: Seoul, South Korea
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| Posted: Tue Feb 09, 2010 6:22 pm Post subject: Re: Military |
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| Stalin84 wrote: |
| 90 proof wrote: |
| It just seemed odd to me that in another post, that a lot of female ESL teachers don't date someone just because they are in the military.... |
I know a few female ESL teachers who only date army guys
OP, I don't think everyone believes that every military personnel living in Korea is bad news. I've met some pretty decent, level headed soldiers here.
The problem people have with English teachers is that the "bar is set too low." We only need university degrees with clean records. Now, look at the military. No degree, criminal record, didn't graduate high school, can't read/write? No problem!
That means that while military personnel are a varied and diverse bunch, it is much more likely to run into unsavoury people in that group than it is to run into unsavoury English teachers (not that there aren't any). Additionally, a lot of soldiers here are younger than English teachers. A lot younger, sometimes young enough to date your students (16-19 years old).
We've all run into large groups of these guys in Itaewon, covered in cologne, wearing "bling" and saying things like "I'm gonna get me some POON, brah!" But there are also soldiers who stay at home with their families, explore Korea (I've seen a ton of them hiking while I was hiking) or do other constructive things.
Some soldiers have also told me that a lot of soldiers get sent to places like Korea, Japan and Germany so they won't get into any trouble. They're considered "pogues" and there is something wrong with them that keeps them away from active duty in warzones like Iraq and Afghanistan. I know that army does rotations and that potentially anyone could end up here but some of the ones who are stuck here indefinitely are "pogues" or "misfits."
When it comes down to it, the problem with the military is that the bar is set so low and the military has attracts a different "sort" of people. Sometimes it serves as a way out for people in situations back home that are far worse than the home lives of just about any English teachers (if you look really closely, you'll discover that many soldiers have Fetal Alcohol Syndrome which is a disease very prevalent in certain economic/social environments).
Just some stuff to keep in mind. |
I agree 100%. |
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redaxe
Joined: 01 Dec 2008
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| Posted: Tue Feb 09, 2010 6:23 pm Post subject: |
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| 90 proof wrote: |
What do you have against the South? They have some of the finest universities in the US.... |
That's irrelevant because I'm not talking about university-educated people, I'm talking about enlisted men. I don't have anything against the south, that's just where a huge percentage of GI's are from.
Go to Itaewon yourself on a Saturday night and talk to some enlisted men. I guarantee you a large % of them will be from small towns in the US south or southeast. I have talked to a lot of GI's and almost all of them spoke with a southern accent. |
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Ukon
Joined: 29 Jan 2008
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| Posted: Tue Feb 09, 2010 6:26 pm Post subject: |
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Young Military dudes run the gamut from responsible and incredibly smart to down right crazy or even criminal depending on which one your talking too....Also, plenty are young so they act exactly like a bunch of 19 yr. old kids living abroad with decent disposable income. Most folks in college aren't super rich, but plenty of enlisted soldiers are making the same wage if not more than ESL teachers....I'd be trying to live it up too if I lived abroad at 19 with tons of cash...
I'd imagine the negative rep comes from the fact that we get a negative rep due to the military....also they compete for precious poon!  |
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yesman
Joined: 15 Sep 2006
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| Posted: Tue Feb 09, 2010 6:35 pm Post subject: |
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I think that most of the soldiers come from smaller towns in the U.S. and, for the most part, are not as interested/aware in other cultures as your typical city dweller. So combine a 19 year old kid + a small town U.S. mentality + a sense of cultural superiority + being a trained "killer" + not wanting to be here + (perhaps) some animosity towards native English teachers who have a much freer life + a night's worth of booze and let the fun begin!
There are many soldiers out there that are great guys/girls, so the above is somewhat of a stereotype. I've had trouble with other foreigners here before, but the worst experiences seem to be those involving the military boys. |
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