Ministry of National Defense Republic of Korea

“Eternal Partner with Skeleton Unit”

Skeleton unit, the 3rd Army Division, held a homecoming day party, providing a place for communication with the reserves, soldier families and local residents

“The 3rd Division will be in the forefront to make the Army communicate with and gain trust from people.”

Each unit of the Army has been recently holding opening unit events to communicate with people and obtain trust. It is an event for communication and harmony to let people know that Army life has changed as well as promote self-esteem and a sense of belonging for soldiers.

“Skeleton’s homecoming day” party, which each subordinate unit of the 3rd Division prepared for two days between January 17 and 25, was part of the place for communication and harmony.

It was arranged to inspire pride in carrying arms and to understand the changing military culture by inviting the reserves and soldier families to the unit and providing a place for communication and experience.

The division introduced efforts they have made to innovate the military culture so far and held a meeting to hear voices of the reserves and soldier families. There were also many experience programs such as multiple integrated laser engagement simulation (MILES) shooting, the most advanced scientific training equipment, mountain-bike boarding, trying noodles in a mess kit and fried hardtack, night guard duty, etc.

Among all the programs, the particularly eye-catching events were visiting DMZ Eco Peace Park and ice tracking along the Hantangang where people could see the site of security and a magnificent view of winter season. The division made a connection between the Skeleton’s homecoming day event and ice tracking along the Hantangang and carried it forward with Cheorwon-gun, Gangwon-do.

A Cheorwon-gun official said, “15,000 people attended the ice tracking along the Hantangang last year, and now, it is expected to increase by 3,000 due to the homecoming day event this year. I think this event would result in local economic activation as well as harmony among the civil, government and military.”

The president of the Skeleton soldiers community, who participated in this special event, said, “We served in the elite Skeleton unit that an enemy fears most, and it made us all proud. This paved the way for the new tradition to recognize the proud as members of the Skeleton.”

By Su-Yeol, Maeng < guns13@dema.mil.kr >
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