Four South Korean Army Military Academy cadets meet with U.S. Air Force Col. Ruth Ellis in her home Thursday at Yongsan Garrison. More than 200 cadets were invited into U.S. military officers’ homes to exchange leadership ideas while getting to know each other. (Greg L. Davis / Stars and Stripes)
SEOUL — Future leaders of the South Korean military spent a day at Yongsan Garrison last week, learning about the Combined Forces Command.
More than 250 Korean Military Academy cadets, due to graduate next month, received briefings from key CFC leaders and finished the day dining in the homes of senior military leaders.
Cadets Shim Jae-bin, Jeon Seong-pyo, Lee Jao-myong and Kim Young-jae ate dinner with Air Force Col. Ruth Ellis, a senior personnel and manpower leader in the joint command.
Ellis, on her second tour in South Korea, welcomed the cadets to her home for an American-style dinner of roast beef and baked potatoes.
During introductions, Ellis told the cadets she was excited about their chance to learn more about the U.S. military.
Shim said the cadets were impressed with the briefings they’d received during the day.
He also said the visit allowed them to learn more about the U.S.-South Korean alliance, especially important with the “recent issue of withdrawal” of the U.S. troops from the peninsula.
“I believe USFK needs to stay in Korea,” Shim said.
Lee said he hoped to discuss leadership with Ellis during dinner. “We want to learn and share our military life,” he said.
Ellis’ husband, Marland; their 18-year-old son, Joseph; and 13-year-old daughter, Rachael, also were at the dinner.
Joseph said he liked having the cadets visit his home because “it’s a good experience to see the different sides and it’s great to meet different people.”
His mother agreed.
“Any time we can learn more about each other, it strengthens the alliance,” she said. “They are the future.”
