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United States Army
USAG Humphreys
Maude Hall Bldg 6400
Unit #15228
APO South Korea 96271
+011-503-357-2647
315-757-2647
The Overseas Cost of Living Allowance (COLA) is a non-taxable allowance designed to offset the higher overseas prices of non-housing goods and services. In Korea, the COLA amount is calculated in Korean won, but paid in US dollars. Overseas COLA is intended to equalize purchasing power so that Service members can purchase the same level of goods and services overseas as they could if they were stationed in CONUS. It is calculated by comparing the prices of goods and services overseas with average prices for equivalent goods and services in CONUS. The result of this comparison is an index that reflects a cost of living. If prices in CONUS are rising at a greater rate than those overseas, COLA will decrease. If prices overseas are rising at a greater rate than those in CONUS, COLA will increase. Similarly, if overseas prices rise or fall at the same rate as CONUS prices, COLA will stay the same. In an overseas market, the COLA rate is also influenced by the local currency exchange rate. If the value of the local currency decreases in comparison to the US dollar (meaning that you get more local currency for each US dollar) your COLA payment will go down. If the value of the local currency increases in comparison to the US dollar (meaning that you get less local currency for each US dollar) your COLA payment will go up.
Overseas COLA is not a fixed amount. COLA adjustments are either immediate or made incrementally, depending on whether the payment will increase or decrease, as well as whether the change is based on currency or data. For COLA changes based on data, increases are made immediately, but COLA reductions based on data are phased in at six points per month to help minimize the impact. COLA changes based on currency are effective immediately for both increases and decreases to COLA. COLA reductions become final following review and approval by the Military Advisory Panel (MAP).
Two surveys determine the relative cost of living overseas compared with CONUS. The Living Pattern Survey (LPS), conducted every three years, captures input from Service members and their families to establish where and how they purchase goods and services. The Retail Price Schedule (RPS), conducted every year, collects prices for a market basket of approximately 120 goods and services. Service members play a critical role by participating in the surveys.
Defense Service Network (DSN) Dialing Instructions
The DSN is the provider of long-distance communications service for the Department of Defense (DoD). Every installation has a special DSN number and the numbers vary by world-wide location. In order to place a call using DSN, the caller must be using a military phone on an installation. Cell phones cannot dial DSN numbers. When dialing a DSN number from a United States installation to another United States installation, it is unnecessary to dial the DSN 312 area code. When dialing a DSN number to/from overseas locations, the DSN area code must be included. DSN area code for Korea is 315, dial 315 + DSN number.
USAG Humphreys provides and integrates community services, facilities, and infrastructure for Service Members, Civilian Employees and their Family members while supporting transformation efforts in order to enable tenant units to "Fight Tonight." On order, establish Base Defense, and provide support to Noncombatant Evacuation Operations (NEO) and Reception, Staging, Onward Movement, and Integration (RSOI).
Pyeongtaek Airfield was constructed in 1919, by the Imperial Japanese Army, during their occupation of Korea. With the outbreak of the Korean War, Pyeongtaek Airfield was repaired and enhanced by the U.S. Air Force, to accommodate a Marine Air Group and the 614th Tactical Control Group. During and after the war, it carried the simple designation of K-6 on military maps. In 1962, it was renamed Camp Humphreys, in honor of Chief Warrant Officer 2 Benjamin K. Humphreys, a pilot with the 6th Transportation Company, who died in a helicopter accident, in 1961. Today, Camp Humphreys is home to the Army’s most active OCONUS airfield and one of the largest construction and transformation sites in the U.S. Department of Defense’s history.
USAG Humphreys currently hosts a combined population of approximately 36,500 Department of Defense Service Members, Civilians, Contractors, and their Families as of September 2022. The estimated end state population of approximately 44,622 will be reached when the transformation and relocation program is completed.
The greater Pyeongtaek area is currently home to about 567,000 people (as of March 2022). That number is estimated to grow, to more than 1 million, in the coming years with the relocation of the U.S. Forces Korea, Eighth U.S. Army and 2nd Infantry Division Headquarters to Camp Humphreys, plus the completion of two new major manufacturing plants for Samsung and LG.
Now the Army’s largest installation in the Pacific, encompassing 3,555 acres, Camp Humphreys is located about 40 miles south of Seoul, the Republic of Korea’s capital. The local cities of Pyeongtaek and Anjeong-ri have grown to help meet future demands. Both cities offer a variety of housing options and living areas. To reach the base operator dial DSN 315-723-1110 or from commercial line dial 011-82-503-323-1110. For information about all installations in the Republic of Korea, visit the Eighth Army website at https://8tharmy.korea.army.mil/site/index.asp
Arriving in Korea
Service Members (SMs) will need their DA Form 31, a copy of their flight itinerary (if SMs are paying with a GTCC), at least 10 copies of their PCS orders with any amendments, immunization, medical, dental records, marriage/divorce/birth certificates (if applicable), current civilian (stateside) driver’s license, and POV/VPC shipping documents (if applicable). Family Members must have a military dependent identification card and a tourist or no-fee passport (provided from the losing installation during out-processing) for entry into the country. Family members must also have a Korea Electronic Travel Authorization (K-ETA). SMs will arrive to Korea by Patriot Express, a Military Contract Flight out of Seattle to OSAN Air Base, or commercial air to Incheon International Airport. Upon arrival through either location, there will be a representative from the 19th Human Resources Company (19th HRC) to receive SMs after SMs complete customs at Osan or Incheon. Please note, in order to enter Korea through customs, SMs must either have valid military orders (to include any amendments) along with a valid CAC (not expired) or must have a U.S. passport (not expired). For SMs with authorized dependents, the dependents must have a valid DoD ID dependent ID or no-fee U.S. passport and must be specified on the SMs military PCS orders.
Air Transportation
Incheon International Airport is located approximately 150 km from USAG-Humphreys and currently has over 70 airlines serving Incheon International Airport.
Arriving in Incheon: Personnel will land at either Terminal 1 (the old part of the airport) or Terminal 2 (new part of the airport that is 15km from Terminal 1). Both terminals have personnel from 19th HRC that operates the Joint Personnel Processing Center (JPPC) desks 24 hours daily. The Terminal 1 desk is located near Exit 1 of the Arrivals floor, where there are Korean Service Corps employees located as well to assist. The Terminal 2 desk is located at Gate A near the escalators. The military personnel present will gain accountability of all inbound personnel and escort individuals onto the buses headed to Camp Humphreys. To gain access to the bus, personnel will need to show their Common Access Card (CAC), Orders, Letter of Employment (for civilians arriving for a DOD job) and leave form (DA Form 31). If proper documentation is not provided, then access will be denied onto bus to USAG-Humphreys.
Arriving in OSAN: Personnel arriving will be guided through customs by the 138th Movement Control Team (138TH MCT). All arrivals will be met by a 19th HRC representative. Please have the following documents: DA Form 31, a copy of military orders, and CAC readily available. Following the arrival brief and customs, will then get escorted to a bus that will take arrivals to the Camp Humphreys Reception Center (BLDG 118).
Reception Center
Once arrived, a 19th HRC representative will guide all personnel into the Camp Humphreys Reception Center, take accountability, and provide a welcome brief. All USFK-affiliated personnel and new arrivals will be entered into the Defense Biometric Identification System (DBIDS). All Permanent Change of Station (PCS) personnel upon arrival will also immediately be entered into the Electronic Military Personnel Office (eMILPO). 19th HRC will collect a copy of the military orders to Korea, amendment to orders, and copy of the DA Form 31 (new arrival into country).
Personnel will get escorted to the 65th Medical Brigade (65th MED) representatives to conduct the COVID-19 screening and first initial testing upon arrival. 65th MED provides direct support by providing health service support focused on PCR testing, results reporting.
Taxi Service
PCS are NOT AUTHORIZED to take a taxi from the airport, no matter what; the only authorized means of transportation to Camp Humphreys is by government provided transportation. TDY/ Leave arrivals are AUTHORIZED to submit an ETP to use other means of transportation to the Covid Reception Center.
PCS/ TDY/ Leave arrivals AFTER receiving the welcome brief from the reception center will be administered a COVID-19 test and AUTHORIZED to take a taxi to lodging.
Privately Owned Vehicle (POV)
PCS are NOT authorized to take a POV from the airports to Camp Humphreys Reception Center; the only authorized means of transportation to Camp Humphreys is by government bus provided by the 19th Expeditionary Sustainment Command. Currently an O-5 ETP is required for all Eighth Army personnel to use other means of transportation, such as a POV, from the airport to Covid Reception center (ref. OPODR 20-02-25-01, Attachment 81).
Public transportation in Korea is very easy to use. There are several buses and public transportation options that service USAG Humphreys. Travel to and from Incheon Airport for TDY or leisure travel use the Incheon Airport Express Korean Public bus. It stops in front of the K6 bus stop right outside the Pedestrian Walk-in Gate and travels six times a day to both Terminals. The cost is approximately $14 each way.
Public bus #20 departs from the walk-in gate also and connects the base to The Seoul Subway, Korean Bullet Trains (KTX) and Super Rapid Trains (SRT), as well as several hospitals and the Pyeongtaek Bus terminal. The fare is approximately $1.30¢. From Incheon, you can take the subway to the Seoul Station and transfer to Subway Line 1 getting off at the Pyongtaek Station. From there you will transfer to the #20 bus that will drop you off in front of the Walk in Gate.
Operator Call Contact Center, South Korea.
Int'l: 011-82-503-323-1110
DSN 315-723-1110.
Local Cell:: 0503-323-1110
Release 2022.09.14.1