In contrast, this year’s Senate NDAA restricts any reduction below 28,500 US military personnel “permanently stationed in or deployed to” South Korea. A strategically advantageous compromiseRefining a force posture based on operational requirements rather than political symbolism is common sense. Preparing noncombatant evacuation operations for Americans in South Korea, and other key allied personnel in the event of war. for Americans in South Korea, and other key allied personnel in the event of war. He served for nearly twelve years overseas at the headquarters of United Nations Command, Combined Forces Command, and US Forces Korea in Seoul, including as chief strategist to three successive commanders of US Forces Korea.