Kindergarden starts when your children
are 5 years old and their birthday is on or before 31 October of the school
year.  DODDS |
| Every year you need to pay "road
tax". It goes by the type of vehicle you have... somewhere between
2000 and 9000 yen. The tax is paid during May of each year and can
be paid at places like the base theaters and the Camp Foster Gym. |
| There are H&R Block tax offices
provided to do your yearly income tax submission on base. |
| Using the internet to purchase
clothes from on line department stores is a very good way to fill the void. |
| If you are prior Civil Service
and will be looking for a job, you will have "spouse preference" when you
arrive and will be at the top of the food chain for jobs. With the
high turnover on Okinawa, getting employment for those that want is available.
If you interested in an MWR or NAF job, check out this link:JOBS |
| We have the floor plans for what
I believe to be all the base housing on Okinawa. If anyones wants
the floor plan sizes, send me an e-mail, with the area and bedroom size
and I will scan them and send them to you. You need to be specific
since there are probably 100 different designs. If you're going to
be living in the towers or multiplex's, then go to this web link on this
site: FLOOR
PLANS |
| Eating out in town, though sometimes
expensive, can be a real treat and a great way to learn the culture. |
| If you have a touch of gambling
in your blood, each of the clubs on Okinawa have the venerable "slot machines"
for your convenience and enjoyment. Just don't get carried away....
you can spend a $100 very quickly. |
| One concern is that there are really,
very few activities for teenagers on Okinawa. The ages of 15 to 19
seem to have lots of opportunities, but lack the desire to get involved.
Some suggestions might be: coach a sports team; volunteer at the
youth centers; volunteer out in town at some of the orphanages; get involved
with the church some how or take some of the many tours offered on Okinawa. |
| If you don't have a Navy Federal
Saving Account, you can get one while you're here. |
| As was mentioned earlier, if you're
into computers, the variety of computer hardware is limited and I find
myself ordering most through the internet. |
| The exchanges have a large selection
of software, but it tends to be a bit too much on the educational side
for kids. I would guess that a 20% to 80% ratio from serious
to useless from what I have seen. Kadena has a much larger selection
of software and hardware. |
| The stereo shop is now located
in the main exchange at Kadena and like always, sports the latest in fine
stereo equipment. Some things never change. The Camp Foster
has made great strides in competing with Kadena so it should not be overlooked
as well since they also have a wide selection. |
| Movie theaters keep running a great
selection of recently released movies to keep the movie buffs updated with
new movies.
AAFES |
| Another great thing about Okinawa,
unless you just need to drive, Okinawa offers "free" bus service from camp
to camp all over Okinawa. What a great deal! |
| Dependents of active duty military
receives "free" dental care while stationed overseas. Another great
deal! Be sure you cancel your dental plan when you arrive at you
unit administration office. I found out 9 months later that mine
was still running because I never paid any attention and no one that I
recall asked me about it. Since dental is provided,
it is a no brainer that you don't need dental coverage. However,
if you're here unaccompanied, then of course you need to keep it active,
but if your with your family, maybe you want to stop it, again a no brainer
here.
MED/DEN INFO |
| In my estimation, as well as my
wife's, medical treatment and services has always been top notch.
I applauld the Navy folks that provide this care. All of us
need to remember, this is a free service and the men and women that provide
it are doing the best then can. So a little patience
and understanding goes a long way. MED/DEN
INFO |
| The dental care given my wife and
children has been super. Both my daughters, 10 and 12 have absolutly
no fear of going to the denist at all and that is saying something about
the quality of the care here on Okinawa. MED/DEN
INFO |
| The swimming pools are open during
May and close during September. The children can take a swimming
test and if they pass, after the age of 10, they can go to the pool by
themselves. My daughters just turned 10 this year, so next
year, we won't have to be drug along every other day and get my backside
fried from the hot sun. If they are under age, and pass the
test, they can go in the water, but you have to be nearby. |
| If you have light skin, be forewarned,
the sun here is a killer during the summer and you will burn very very
very quickly so be sure to always use at least an SPF 15 or above when
venturing out into the sun and fun. If your darker in skin tone,
don't think your immuned from the sun, you will get fried along with everyone
else, so please, use sunblock. |
| Typhoons are active during the
months of June through November. In the four years we have been here,
we have seen a few come and go. However, since the housing is all
built using cement, the fear of your home falling down is just not there.
The wind does get to howling, but not to worry since it is common for typhoons
to hit Okinawa. You will be forewarned in plenty of time and when
the condition reached 1E ( one emergency), you are sent home if at work
and are to remain indoors until the AC (all clear) is sounded. TV
and radio broadcast the conditions and status on a regular basis to keep
you informed. WEATHER
CHANNEL |
| I can't say enough good things
about the quality of the teachers and the school system here on Okinawa.
If your children wish to learn, here is the place to do it, barr none! DODDS
SCHOOLS |
| If you are worried about crime,
don't... there is simply nothing to add to this. This place is totally
unbelieveable when it comes to feeling safe on base or out in town. |
| When an incident occurs on Okinawa
where the military is involved, you may have seen some news coverage in
the states. But from my experience watching CNN here, or any other
news cast for that matter, the term sensationalism is the trademark you
need to remember. What is seen on TV is a far cry from what you should
see, or what we have experienced here on Okinawa. |
| Contrary to what may have been
covered in some news events, the vast majority of the Okianwan people welcome
the American military and families to Okinawa. I have never heard
of a single incident involving a family where one of the family members
were hurt as a result of an Okinawan directing anger towards the Americans. |
| For at least 3d FSSG personnel,
you must make an appointment before going to sick call... no more walk
in's. |
| Dental opens its doors at 0700
daily for walk in dental service. |
| If you're looking for a car or
van, you can look at a cost of about $2000 to $4000 for a vehicle that
will last you your entire tour and still be able to sell it for half of
what you paid for it. If you're here for one year, the $500 car is
still available from someone leaving, but are getting harder and harder
to find with a decent JCI remaining. EXAMPLE
AUTOS FOR SALE |
| The JCI's are no longer yearly
for car/vans over 10 years. All JCI's are now for a two year period,
regardless of year. |
| The pizza place here is called
"Anthony's Pizza", and they deliver! You can normally get large,
two single topping pizzas for under $20 when a special is going one. |
| The exchanges do a great job trying
to keep up with the displays for the holidays. This is really nice
and reminds you of the loved ones back home.
AAFES |
| Maintenance on the quarters are
done quickly, which is surprising when I compare the service we got back
in the states while living in on base. |
| All the quarters are air conditioned.
It does feel sooooooo good on a hot day. I believe the air
come on during May and goes off during October time frame. |
| Unlike in the states, the vast
majority of the quarters are new or recently refubrished. They are
also maintained very well and as you will notice during your acceptence
of government quarters. |
| Since Okinawa military have an
impression to keep up, the bases are very well maintained. |
| The use of government furniture
is provided whether you live on base or out in town. You can get
whatever furniture you need to set up your home. i.e., living room,
bedroom and dining room furniture is available and will be delivered as
well. |
| You will see several events that
permit the local Okinawas onto the base for special functions. i.e.,
running events and carnivals. |
| The carnivals are very expensive
and if you have several children, you might try to stay on a budget. |
| Once a year, at Camp Foster, there
is a really big food fair that has booths set up to sell all kinds of food.
Really, I gained 5 pounds in two days... some really good eats. |
| As you have or will see in the
photo galleries, each base is generally self-sufficient, with all the necessary
facilities... medical, dental, commissary, exchange, childcare center,
schools either on the base or on a nearby base.
PHOTO GALLERY |
| School buses are provided for all
the kids to get to and from school - but again, be prepared to ride them
4 times a year per child. If you live in town, you will be given
directions to the nearest bus stop to have your children picked up.
This is another great deal! |
| Prior to coming to Okinawa recommend
you possess at least 5000 yen per person in your pocket. You may
never need it, but why take a chance. If you fly in commerical you
will most likely have about a 4-5 hour layover on mainland Japan at the
airport and having some yen might come in handy. |
| The same holds true for while you
are on Okinawa, carry enough yen for emergencies. If you're away
from home you might just need it. |
| The exchanges all offer "cellular
phones" now. They cost about $33 per month and 10 yen per minute
to call out. Calls into your phone are free. |
| The newspaper "Stars and Stripes"
offers several discount coupons MWR stuff in the Wednesday edition.
Haircuts are charged by the Yen. You can pay in Yen or in Dollars.
Right now, the haircuts run about $5.50 and you will get a $3.00 off coupon
in the Tuesday paper. There is also a $3.00 off coupon for permenants.
COUPON LINK |
| I heard on the radio the other
day that if you live on Torii U.S. Army Station, there is free use of the
internet at that library on post. Great deal when it comes to keeping
in touch with the family. |
| Before you leave for Okinawa recommend
you set up a free e-mail account your left behind family and yourself.
Places like INAME
and
HOTMAIL are free to anyone that wants
to use e-mail and the best thing of all, you don't need your own internet
account. Simple use anyone that has access to the internet and go
to your free e-mail web site. The e-mail account are private for
your use alone. A geat way to keep in touch! |
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