CLS Student at the U.S. Naval Academy Visits the Korean Naval Academy

By Greg Pavone (Jeonju, Korea ’11)

On Saturday, July 30th, I had the unique opportunity to tour the Korean Naval Academy in Jinhae, South Korea.  Being a midshipman at the U.S. Naval Academy, I felt it was a wonderful opportunity to meet with my brothers in arms in the R.O.K. Navy.

It was about a three-hour bus ride each way, but it was well worth it.  When I arrived at the bus station, I was met by a midshipman named Jong-ryul Park.  He, like me, was a senior and had plans to join the Marine Corps upon graduation.  I was also escorted by a lieutenant and another enlisted R.O.K. Navy sailor.

My Korean counterpart gave me a tour around his campus, and I was able to see their Academy's academic buildings, living quarters, physical training facilities, and the Academy museum.  I also had the opportunity to sit down and chat with the officer of the watch, Lieutenant Commander Seung-hoon Lee.

Finally, I ate lunch in the dining hall with their brigade and held a question and answer session with about 20 R.O.K. midshipmen.  The Q and A was especially insightful because I was able to directly learn from the academy students themselves the similarities and differences between our two institutions.

The five-hour tour and all the meetings were conducted entirely in Korean.  I learned so many new vocabulary words!  I departed the Academy with my heart full and my arms loaded with gifts and R.O.K. Navy paraphernalia.  I was very grateful to have been able to participate in this opportunity.  Despite it being a short visit, I made friends within Korean Navy and Marines who I plan to keep in touch with for the rest of my life, both in and outside of my own military career as an officer.