September 22, 2005: In the last ten years, South Korea has lowered the annual death rate among its troops from 62 per 100,000, to 20. About half these deaths were suicides. The death rate was reduced by dealing with some of the military traditions that had little to do with combat readiness, but everything to do with the stress that led to suicides, murder and accidents. The South Korean military traditions were largely inherited from the Japanese, who, before World War II, had a rather brutal attitude how soldiers were handled. Sergeants were allowed to use physical violence freely, and soldiers who had been in longer, even a few months longer, got away with similar abuse of the more recent recruits. 

South Korea has had conscription for the last fifty years, so nearly everyone serves 2-3 years in uniform. In addition to the brutality, life is regimented 24/7. Living conditions are not all that great, and pay is minimal. For years, there have been suggestions from veterans that South Korea adopt practices similar to the Americans. This is because, since the Koran war, over half a million South Korean soldiers have served in American units as KATUSAs (Korean Augmentation to the U.S. Army). South Korean conscripts who speak passable English are eligible for this, and it is a much sought after assignment. The KATUSAs remain part of the South Korean army, but report to American units and are given a job that would otherwise have to be performed by an American soldier. The KATUSAs are treated just like the American troops, living in the same barracks, eating in the same mess halls and getting the same medical care. However, there are South Korean officers and NCOs available for any disciplinary problems, and to administer pay and other personnel matters (like leave). But there are few disciplinary problems. The KATUSAs are usually smarter than the average 18 year old conscript and see service in an American unit as an excellent opportunity to improve their English skills, and learn more about Americans. This helps later on, for getting into college and/or getting a good job. Also, the living conditions are much better in the American army, and the work generally more interesting. On the downside, KATUSAs come to their American units right out of basic training, without any specialized training. So KATUSAs generally don��t get any high tech jobs, and have to be trained for whatever work they do get assigned. But since most of the KATUSAs are good students to begin with, and ambitious, there are often opportunities to train them for some pretty complex jobs.

The South Korean Air Force was the first service to listen to the KATUSAs, and lighten up. Air force troops were given more control over their free time, and less rigid discipline from the NCOs and officers. It worked. The troops were happier and more effective. Over the last decade, the army has been adopting similar practices, despite fierce opposition from many of the older officers and NCOs. To solve the bullying problem among the troops themselves, platoons are formed right after basic training, with all the troops having the same time in service. Any troops who bullied another soldier, were punished. As a result, hundreds of deaths a year have been avoided. Military service has also become less stressful, and many commanders have noted an increase in effectiveness among their soldiers. 

The South Korean army is still a much more violent and scarier place than the U.S. Army, or most other armies on the planet. Koreans, in general, are pretty macho, and into physical conditioning and various forms of hand-to-hand combat. As American soldiers serving in South Korea learn early on, if you see a South Korean soldier who��s had a few drinks, and seems to be in a bad mood, get out of his way.