Anthony Jason Popkin

Sergeant, U.S. Army

SGT Popkin enlisted in the Army in 1999.  Following his initial training, he was stationed at Fort Riley, KS.  There he served as the commo chief of tank company in 1/13th Armor, which included an NTC rotation at Fort Irwin, CA.  From April of 2002 to December of 2003, SGT Popkin was stationed at Camp Carrole (Waegwan, Korea) where he served as the Team Chief of retrans member in Charlie 307th Signal Battalion.  He was then selected over his peers through an intense screening process to serve at his current position with the United Nation Command Military Armistice Commission (UNCMAC).

In Korea there are two roadways that connect the Korean peninsula (one in the east and one in the west), SGT Popkin is currently located in the Western Transportation Corridor.  His mission includes serving as the eyes and ears for the Commander of UNC, assisting in processing requests for entrance into the DMZ and any crossings that occur between North or South Korea, and also monitoring the compliance of the Armistice and other Agreements.

SGT Popkin said that:

I have been proud to have the chance to serve my country as well as help other countries.  I began working for UNCMAC in December 2003 and since then I have had the chance to work with it’s diversified members consisting of 16 other countries.  Since working for UNCMAC I have monitored the crossing of over 20,000 personnel and 13,000 vehicles through the DMZ either going to the north or returning to the south.

In addition to his regular duties, SGT Popkin has also participated in monitoring and facilitating 4 Joint Recovery Operations (JRO) Missions of returning US remains from the Korean War, briefed numerous Distinguished Visitiors inlcuding 16 UNC Ambassadors and the UNC Commander.