Pentagon doubles South Korea tour length for single service members

Effective October 1, 2025, U.S. service members assigned to South Korea without dependents will serve 24-month tours, doubling the prior 12-month duration, per U.S. Forces Korea. This follows a February policy extending accompanied tours to 36 months. The change, applying to new orders, aims to bolster military readiness amid rising tensions on the Korean Peninsula, particularly with North Korea.

“Extending unaccompanied tours to 24 months enables service members to build deeper operational expertise, fosters continuity in leadership, and reduces turnover in mission-critical roles,” said Air Force Col. Parker, USFK personnel director.

The policy maintains current troop numbers but prioritizes stability and operational continuity. Service branches have flexibility in implementation based on needs. Infrastructure upgrades, including new barracks and an East Elementary School at Camp Humphreys, support increased family presence. Limited accompanied tours may extend to smaller bases like Kunsan Air Base.

These adjustments, driven by regional threat conditions, signal strategic preparation for potential conflict escalation while enhancing U.S. military posture in South Korea.