Korean influence
Who says the U.S. military isn’t culturally sensitive? At a Pentagon briefing on Thursday morning, Col. Jonathan Ives from Task Force Cincinnatus appeared live via teleconference along with South Korean Col. Kim Seoung-Ki from northern Afghanistan, where their units are stationed.
Task Force Cincinnatus comprises of forces from the United States, New Zealand, the Republic of Korea and Turkey. But according to Kim’s statement, it appears the Koreans are taking the lead on the base.
“To enhance a close relationship with the coalition forces, we actively participate in many activities held on the base,” he said. “We are introducing traditional Korean culture such as tae kwon do and the traditional Korean cuisine. The tae kwon do class is getting very popular among the service members on the base. It is held twice a week [here in] Bagram.”
Ives later said “Cincinnatus” was chosen as the unit’s name to underscore the idea of citizen soldiers, in honor of the Roman general who served and then retired to his farm.
