<strong>YONGSAN GARRISON, Republic of Korea</strong> - All Korean Augmentation to the U.S. Army Soldiers share a similar background as university students and receive the same training, but U.S. Army Garrison-Yongsan Headquarters and Headquarters Company Sgt. Kang Byung-kook is a KATUSA unlike any other.
Kang, a Northwestern University undergraduate, serves with the Area II Republic of Korea Army Support Group as an important link between the ROK Army and the U.S. Army. He translates for both ROKA and U.S. Army officers and serves as an interpreter at various U.S. Army command functions.
What makes him stand out amongst the peninsula's 3,500 KATUSAs is his Army experience. Kang has participated in Soldier board competitions up to the 8th U.S. Army level, competed in the Bataan Memorial Death March qualifier at Camp Casey, and the Manchu Mile.
"Like every KATUSA or U.S. Soldier, I started at the unit-level monthly board," he said. "On that first monthly board, I still had my old study habits. I procrastinated a lot, and I was very disappointed when I found out I lost."
Kang said that was the tipping point in his military career which inspired him to change.
"Some KATUSAs may lose ambition about their military life with $80 monthly salary and lack of valuable incentives, but I came to the Army to change something about myself. I decided to change that first," he said. "I stopped procrastinating. That's what started it all."
He went on to win the unit-level quarter and year board, the Installation and Management Command-Korea Region Best Warrior Competition and placed second in the 8th U.S. Army Best Warrior Competition.
"Winning the IMCOM board was proof that I could be an outstanding person," Kang said. "I came into the army with a lack of self esteem. I didn't know if just trying hard would be enough to change myself and become a better person. IMCOM board realized that. It boosted my self-confidence to a whole new level. I did those things that most KATUSAs wouldn't do, wouldn't want to do."
He said Sgt. John Cushman, another Yongsan IMCOM-K Best Warrior, played an instrumental role in his success.
"Sgt. Cushman helped me through the whole thing. He was so eager to teach me how to do the basic things that an Army Soldier should know how to do," he said. "I experienced leadership firsthand at that time."
Kang said he grew as a noncommissioned officer as he underwent more difficulties.
"The Bataan Memorial Death March taught me the importance of being motivated," he said. "I stayed motivated through the entire run, and although I didn't qualify for the New Mexico event, when I look at photos of me coming in, I'm laughing. If you are motivated, it will take the pain away."
He said it was the happiest moment in his whole military career. Kang vows to pass his wisdom on to the younger Soldiers.
"I want to be an NCO who reminds people that they are not alone in the fight," Kang said. "I want to support, not just lead and order, but support and motivate Soldiers."
"I think it's great to see our KATUSA Soldiers perform well at these competitions and boards," said U.S. Army Garrison-Yongsan Commander Col. Dave Hall. "The Korean-American alliance is second to none. Korean Soldiers stand side-by-side with their American counterparts in our formations."
Hall said Kang stands out from the rest. "He's a true professional, and it shows," he said. "We're all very proud of him."
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