Known as the Army’s home in South Korea, Camp Humphreys is the largest overseas installation and hosts a population larger than many U.S. cities. The base is home not only to U.S. Forces but also to the United Nations Command and the U.S.-South Korea Combined Forces, making it a prominent station in the Pacific Theatre.
Despite its size, Camp Humphreys offers endless opportunities, according to Army spouse Tyrese “Re” Cook, who describes her overseas experience as unforgettable. She and her family were recently featured in CNN’s report on Camp Humphreys, which covered the Freedom Fest event, where the popular band Hoobastank performed, drawing massive crowds.
“Humphreys has quickly come to feel like home, offering us a blend of familiarity and comfort,” says Re. “From the convenience of American staples at the commissary to enjoying a taste of home at Texas Roadhouse, even down to the familiar outlets in our on-post apartment, we’ve found a sense of belonging here. Most importantly, we've been blessed to meet some incredible people who have extended love, support, and opportunities for which we are truly grateful.”
The Cook family moved to Camp Humphreys in April 2024, and this isn't their first overseas adventure. From 2019 to 2022, Re and her twins accompanied her husband, SGT Terry Cook Jr., during his assignment in Grafenwoehr, Germany. According to Re, the biggest difference between Germany and South Korea is the pace of life.
“In Germany, life felt more relaxed—almost like the whole country was in slow motion, and I loved it,” said Re. “Everything being closed on Sundays meant you had no choice but to actually rest. Now Korea, on the other hand, is like being dropped into the fast lane! It’s all hustle and bustle here, and I’ve fully embraced the cafe culture—it’s practically an Olympic sport to see how many cafes you can visit in a week.”
After noticing a need for more information about on-base housing at Humphreys, Re filmed an apartment tour and uploaded it to YouTube. The video went viral, catching the attention of Public Affairs office, who then partnered with Re to showcase more information about family life while stationed at Humphreys. Following the success of the video, Re saw an opportunity to team up with other content creators and Pyeongtaek Insight to share more about life in the area and experience a small part of South Korea as a foreigner.
Content creation wasn’t something Re initially planned for, but the opportunity came naturally. With a background in social work (holding MSW, CSW, and LSW credentials), she specialized in working with adolescents and their families, as well as providing marital and individual counseling. Now, Re focuses on her family and her new content creation venture, which she says has helped boost her self confidence and helped her find more exciting things in life.
“This journey has taught me that fear often comes from the unknown, but when we share our stories and experiences, we can help replace that fear with understanding and hope,” says Re.
Alongside content creation, Re has started a couple of Facebook groups for the Camp Humphreys community, one geared towards moms of multiples, and another about her Christian faith which is deeply important to Re. Both of these allow her to foster meaningful relationships within the community and support others through their journeys.
One of the biggest challenges Re has learned to overcome is educating her family back in the States about South Korean living. With a looming threat just 60+ miles away from Camp Humphreys, North Korea stands as a fear for many military families and their extended families. If the threat is real, Re shows no worry. She has done her best to ensure the family back home that they will be okay.
“The [military spouse] community and resources that can be leveraged at this base has helped me feel safe,” said Re.
Now that the Cook Family has two overseas moves under their belt, Re says that the key to success in these transitions is a willingness to adapt and a commitment to finding resilience in the face of change. Keeping the family together is important to them, and makes wherever they live feel more like home.
“Be open-minded,” she said. “Every experience is what you make of it. Don’t let other outlets deter you from enjoying the country.”
You can follow Re’s journey on YouTube, Facebook, and on Instagram.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Mary Lane Montoya is a dynamic digital marketing expert with a heartfelt commitment to supporting others. Her journey towards making a difference was sparked by personal challenges encountered during an overseas military relocation. Following a tumultuous period marked by the trials of a rough PCS move, unemployment hurdles, and childcare struggles, Mary recognized a common thread among military spouses facing similar obstacles associated with overseas living. Thus, she embarked on a mission to enact positive change, birthing The OCONUS Project to address the unique needs of military families like hers.
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