There are a few things you should know before the plane touches down on Korean soil. First of all, when you start to hear other soldiers talking about turtles - they're talking about you. In-processing and out-processing are within a few steps of each other, but it will take you 364 days to go from one to the other, thus the turtle reference.

One of the first things soldiers from your unit will try to do to properly initiate you is to take you on a thunder run. This is a ritual where they convince the new guy (or girl) to head downrange to sample the ever-popular Soju kettles. Soju has the same potency as Everclear, but in a kettle, it is watered down with lots of fruit punch.

During a thunder run, you will be convinced to have a kettle at every single bar downrange. Beware - Soju tends to sneak up on you. The problem with this initiation is that it usually takes place on a weeknight, which means you will be doing PT in a few hours to sweat all of the alcohol out. This is not necessarily the best way to make a first impression on your company leadership.

Let's move on to Korean cuisine. Most traditional fare is pretty tasty and relatively harmless. There is one dish, however, that you will want to avoid. It's called Kegogi, and it's shredded dog meat. Yeah, we're talking about scarfing down FiFi or Sparky. Getting you to eat the distasteful dish is also often an initiation tool used by fellow soldiers.

Kimchi is also a traditional dish, but it is an acquired taste. It's pretty spicy, so be prepared with some antacid if you don't stomach hot food well. Fast food, at least to American standards, isn't so common. Be prepared to enjoy squid on a stick, Gimbap (the Korean answer to sushi), Mandu (fried dumplings), and something that resembles a corn dog but doesn't quite taste like one.

For those male soldiers who are hoping to find a nice Asian bride while overseas, make sure she's not a working girl. Many women have been sold into the slave trade and prostitute around the military posts. Disease is rampant, so remember everything you learned in health class.

Now, for a little lesson for all of the female soldiers preparing for a tour in Korea - there is a scam you might want to learn about. You will hear about rich Korean men willing to pay top dollar for English lessons. For the most part, these men don't have any desire to learn English but are looking for something a bit more intimate. If you do choose to act as an English instructor, make sure somebody knows where you are at all times.

Perhaps the most important thing to keep in mind when you head to Korea is to be prepared to enjoy the real culture of Korea. There is much more to see than just the bars and shops that surround the bases. Take in the views at Chejedo Island, experience city life in Seoul, don't be afraid to mingle with the locals and see the potential for a great assignment. Korea is what you make it.