Camp Casey

Branch: U.S. Army
Location: Dongducheon, Gyeonggi Province, South Korea
Installation Type: Camp
Status: Active

Overview

Camp Casey is a U.S. Army installation located in Dongducheon, Gyeonggi Province, approximately 60 kilometers north of Seoul and roughly 20 kilometers south of the Korean Demilitarized Zone (DMZ). Established in 1950 during the Korean War and named after Major General Hugh B. Casey, the installation serves as a key forward-deployed post supporting the U.S.-Republic of Korea (ROK) Alliance. Its proximity to the DMZ makes it one of the most operationally significant Army posts on the Korean Peninsula.

Mission & Units

Primary Mission: Provide forward presence and combat-ready forces to deter aggression and defend the ROK in support of the U.S.-ROK Mutual Defense Treaty.
Major Units: 210th Field Artillery Brigade (currently the primary major tenant); historically associated with 2nd Infantry Division (2ID) elements; 6-37 Field Artillery, 1-38 Field Artillery.
Tenant Units: Headquarters and Headquarters Battery, 210th Field Artillery Brigade; various support and sustainment elements.

Location & Access

Nearest Major City: Seoul, approximately 60 km south; Uijeongbu, approximately 25 km south.
Nearest Commercial Airport: Incheon International Airport (ICN), approximately 90 km southwest; Gimpo International Airport (GMP), approximately 70 km southwest.
Gate Access: Access requires a valid Common Access Card (CAC), KATUSA ID, or a visitor pass issued at the Visitor Control Center. Visitors must be sponsored by an authorized ID cardholder. Gate hours vary; the main gate typically operates 24 hours.

Population

Active Duty Personnel: Approximately 5,000-7,000 (varies with rotational deployments)
Family Members: Limited family assignments due to unaccompanied tour policy for many billets; some accompanied assignments exist
Civilian Employees: Approximately 500-1,000 U.S. and Korean National (KN) employees
Total Installation Population: Not publicly available

Key Facilities

Medical: Camp Casey Health Clinic — primary care services for active duty; referrals to Brian Allgood Army Community Hospital at USAG Humphreys for specialty care.
Commissary: Yes — full-service commissary on post.
Exchange (PX/BX/NEX): Yes — Army & Air Force Exchange Service (AAFES) main store, Class VI store, food court.
Fitness & Recreation: Multiple fitness centers (Warrior Fitness Center), outdoor sports fields, basketball courts, running tracks, bowling center, golf course.
Schools: No DoDEA school on Camp Casey itself; DoDEA schools are available at nearby USAG Red Cloud and USAG Humphreys for accompanied families.
Childcare: Child Development Center (CDC) available; waitlist common — contact ACS for current status.
Veterinary Services: Veterinary Treatment Facility (VTF) on post — provides routine care, vaccinations, and health certificates for pets.
Legal Assistance / JAG: Legal assistance office on post — primarily appointment-based; walk-in hours limited. Contact installation for current schedule.

Housing

On-Post Housing: Barracks for unaccompanied soldiers; limited family housing available; managed by Installation Management Command (IMCOM) Korea.
Average Wait Time: Not publicly available; family housing is limited due to predominantly unaccompanied tour status.
Off-Post Housing: Dongducheon offers local Korean apartments (officetel, villa, apartment) at moderate cost; average rent ranges approximately 400,000-800,000 KRW/month for a small unit, varying widely based on type and location.
BAH Rate Reference: Check current Overseas Housing Allowance (OHA) rates at the Defense Travel Management Office (DTMO) website.

PCS & Newcomer Info

Sponsorship Program: Sponsors are assigned through the gaining unit; incoming soldiers should contact their unit of assignment to request a sponsor before departure.
In-Processing: Report to the Installation In-Processing Center (IPC) upon arrival; in-processing typically takes 2-5 duty days and covers finance, medical, legal, and administrative requirements.
EFMP (Exceptional Family Member Program): EFMP enrollment is required prior to PCS for service members with family members who have special needs; contact ACS EFMP office or Medical EFMP screening at the losing installation. Korea is a non-availability area for many specialized services — EFMP screening is critical.

OCONUS-Specific Information

SOFA Status: U.S. forces in South Korea operate under the U.S.-ROK Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA), signed 1966 and amended in 1991 and 2001. The SOFA governs jurisdiction, use of facilities, entry/exit of personnel and equipment, and civilian employee status.
Host Nation Rules: Personnel are subject to both U.S. military regulations and relevant ROK law. Off-post behavior that violates Korean law can result in Korean jurisdiction under SOFA provisions. Respect for local customs, courtesy to Korean nationals, and awareness of cultural norms are emphasized.
Curfew Policy: U.S. Forces Korea (USFK) maintains a curfew for all USFK personnel. The standard curfew is 0100-0500 local time (off-post), unless on official duty, traveling to/from work, or granted an exception. Curfew policies are subject to change by USFK command — check current General Order No. 1 for the latest guidance.
Ration Card / Customs: A ration control system is in place for duty-free purchases at commissary, exchange, and Class VI stores. Personnel are issued ration cards and are subject to monthly limits on controlled items (alcohol, tobacco, electronics) to prevent black-market diversion. Customs declarations are required when bringing controlled quantities of goods off-post.
Vehicle Registration & Licensing: Privately Owned Vehicles (POVs) must be registered with USFK and the Korean National Police. A USFK driver’s license is required for operating vehicles in Korea; U.S. state licenses are not valid for on-road use. Vehicle shipment to Korea is authorized for accompanied tours only; unaccompanied tours do not authorize POV shipment. Vehicles must meet Korean safety and emissions standards.
Language & Culture: Korean (Hangul) is the official language. Basic Korean phrases are helpful off-post. Korean culture emphasizes respect for elders, group harmony, and proper social hierarchy. Language training resources are available through ACS and Education Center. Korean Cultural Orientation is provided during in-processing.
Currency & Banking: South Korean Won (KRW) is the local currency. On-post banking includes a Community Bank (formerly known as Korea Exchange Bank-affiliated services) and ATMs. The Dongducheon area has local Korean banks and ATMs. Credit cards widely accepted in larger establishments off-post.
Travel Restrictions: USFK personnel must obtain command approval (leave or pass authorization) for travel outside the Korean Peninsula. Travel to North Korea is strictly prohibited. Travel within South Korea is generally permitted on pass/leave. Nearby countries (Japan, Thailand) require command approval and may have specific reporting requirements.
Mail: APO address: Unit number, APO AP 96224 (Camp Casey area). Mail is routed through the U.S. Postal System. Standard mail delivery typically takes 7-21 days from CONUS; Priority Mail typically 7-14 days.
Pets: Import of pets to South Korea requires a health certificate issued by a USDA-accredited veterinarian within 10 days of travel, proof of rabies vaccination (at least 30 days prior and not more than 12 months prior), and microchipping. South Korea does not require quarantine for dogs and cats meeting documentation requirements, but pets arriving without proper documentation may be quarantined at owner’s expense. Certain breeds may be subject to additional local restrictions off-post.

Local Area & Quality of Life

Climate: Four distinct seasons; cold, dry winters (temperatures can drop below -10 C); hot, humid summers with monsoon season (June-August); mild spring and autumn. Snow is common November-February.
Cost of Living: Moderate by Korean standards; Dongducheon is less expensive than Seoul. Off-post dining, entertainment, and shopping are affordable. On-post facilities subsidize many daily costs.
Nearby Attractions: The Korean DMZ and Panmunjom Joint Security Area (JSA) tours are accessible (require advance coordination); Seoraksan National Park for hiking; Seoul offers world-class dining, shopping, and cultural sites approximately 1 hour south.
Spouse Employment: Employment opportunities on post include AAFES, DFAC, NAF positions, and contractor roles. Telework and remote work opportunities have expanded. Local Korean employment requires work authorization; ROK labor laws apply. ACS Employment Readiness Program assists spouses with job searches.

Contact & Resources

Official Website: https://home.army.mil/casey/
Main Installation Phone: DSN 730-3000 / Commercial +82-31-869-6000 (approximate — verify through official channels)
MWR Website: https://korea.armymwr.com/
ACS / Fleet & Family / Airman & Family Readiness: Army Community Service (ACS), Camp Casey — contact through the installation operator or ACS Korea region; provides financial counseling, EFMP support, employment readiness, and relocation assistance.

Last updated: 2026-02-22
Sources: U.S. Army Installation Management Command Korea (IMCOM-K); USFK General Orders; home.army.mil/casey; korea.armymwr.com; DTMO OHA rates; DoDEA school locator; USFK SOFA guidance, Joseph L. Jordan, Attorney at Law