The tour length for U.S. service members stationed in South Korea with their families will be extended by one year. This change is expected to improve operational continuity and strengthen U.S. Forces Korea’s (USFK) readiness posture.
According to USFK, the tour length for service members who bring their spouses or dependents to South Korea was extended from 24 months to 36 months on Thursday. However, the tour length for unaccompanied service members will remain 12 months.
This new policy will not be retroactively applied to service members currently stationed in South Korea. The U.S. military plans to fully implement the extended tour lengths by October 2027, starting with personnel arriving in South Korea in the next fiscal year.
The U.S. military stated that this adjustment aims to increase continuity within USFK while strengthening the bonds between service members, their families, and the local community. It is also expected to reduce turnover rates, improve mission effectiveness, and enhance operational efficiency.
Previously, in August 2024, the U.S. Army extended the tour length from one year to two years for unaccompanied personnel in seven specialized fields, including counterintelligence agents, signals intelligence analysts, UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter repairers, military working dog handlers, special agents with the Army’s Criminal Investigation Division (CID), and warrant officers.
A military official stated that extending the tour length strengthens the readiness posture and maximizes service members’ capabilities over a more extended period. The number of personnel affected by this change is expected to increase annually.
Approximately 28,500 U.S. troops are stationed in South Korea, a significant portion serving at Camp Humphreys in Pyeongtaek, Gyeonggi Province.
According to Stars and Stripes, Camp Humphreys opened two new barracks last June to accommodate more than 600 single soldiers. In September 2024, the base also began expanding housing for military families. Further infrastructure improvements will continue, including opening a new elementary school in March 2025, accommodating 440 students and faculty members.