YONGSAN GARRISON, South Korea (March 25, 2014) -- U.S. Army leaders are gathering to discuss transformation in South Korea, today through Thursday.
The Department of the Army Rehearsal of Concept, or ROC, Drill has brought together Army officials to address a wide variety of issues.
"The ROC Drill provides an opportunity to familiarize senior Army leaders with Eighth Army's dynamic mission requirements for Korea, explain our plan for transformation and establish a common operating picture from an operational, programmatic, cost, facility and mission command perspective," said Eighth Army Transformation Planner Maj. Gregory M. Tomlin.
Tomlin said the senior leaders will visit installations around the Korean Peninsula to gain a better understanding of Eighth Army's transformation efforts.
"Since many participants will visit Korea for the first time during the ROC Drill, Eighth Army and our garrison commands will host orientations to Camp Casey, Humphreys Garrison, Daegu Garrison and the Joint Security Area," said Tomlin, a Carlisle, Penn., resident who has been in the Army for 13 years.
According to Tomlin, the centerpiece of the transformation is the consolidation of U.S. Forces Korea, Eighth Army and 2nd Infantry Division on Camp Humphreys, turning the helicopter base into one of the premier installations in the U.S. military.
"During the ROC Drill, Eighth Army will explain how it will relocate units while maintaining mission readiness on the peninsula," said Tomlin.
Eighth Army Operations Research and Systems Analysis Officer Maj. Jeremy M. Riehl said the move to Camp Humphreys will increase mission readiness and reduce long-term infrastructure costs.
"The end state will improve quality of life through extensive construction of modern, world-class facilities," said Riehl, a Puyallup, Wash., native who has been in the Army for 14 years, and at Eighth Army for the last two years.
Eighth Army will mark its 70th anniversary this June. Activated on June 10, 1944, Eighth Army has served in the Asia Pacific region since its inception, liberating more than 60 islands during World War II, serving as the occupation force in Japan and commanding United Nations Command ground combat forces during the Korean War.
Since the Korean War Armistice was signed 60 years ago, Eighth Army has evolved to better accomplish its mission and to support the Republic of Korea-U.S. Alliance. In January 2012, Eighth Army returned to its operational roots when changed from an Army Service Component Command to a Field Army.
Today, Eighth Army continues its Pacific tradition by defending freedom on the Korean Peninsula and providing stability in the Asia Pacific region.
"As Eighth Army prepares to celebrate its 70th anniversary, it has never been stronger and our nation should be rightfully proud of its sons and daughters serving in Korea today," said Eighth Army Commanding General Lt. Gen. Bernard S. Champoux, a native of Pittsfield, Mass.
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