For military families moving to Okinawa, Japan, the prospect of finding the right school for their children can be both exciting and daunting. Elementary schools on base in Okinawa follow a 21st-century style of education where students are placed in "studios" with 2...
Internet is a huge part of life, and being connected to family and friends back home is something we all think about before we even arrive in Okinawa. Luckily, getting connected to friends and family with MBC is very simple. In fact, you could have Internet before you...
You moved across the world, attended the NOWA Brief, you’ve gotten your house and the next thing on your to-do list is learning how to register kids for school in Okinawa. The process for getting your kids registered for a DODEA school here in Okinawa is pretty...
Welcome to Okinawa! The USMC's newcomers orientation in Okinawa welcome aboard brief (NOWA) won't be your first stop on your long list of errands once you arrive, but it is most certainly the most crucial. But firstly, congratulations on surviving the long travel days...
Whether you are an avid thrifter, new to the island and in need of a few things or need to offload things you don’t want, the Kadena Thrift shop is a store you should have pinned on your Google Maps. Kadena Thrift Shop: Okinawa Enlisted Spouses' Club (OESC) Thrift...
We use apps for everything now. Rideshares, calendars, maps and so much more. Which is why we've compiled some of the best apps for Okinawa. Now you can feel prepared before you even get here. We all know living in Okinawa can be overwhelming. Moving to a country...
You're about to move overseas and you want to start working on base in Okinawa as soon as you arrive here. This is a daunting experience and one that can often be very confusing for newcomers. Hopefully this guide can help you navigate this new road a little bit...
You can see someone's true personality when they have slow Internet. That is why when you PCS to Okinawa, you're going to want to get MultiGig Internet with MBC – the fastest Internet in Okinawa. MBC has the fastest Internet on all the bases in Okinawa. Their MulitGig...
Purchasing a new vehicle in Okinawa can be a chore with several steps. But even after you purchase your vehicle there are still several things you'll have to continue to do for your vehicle while you live here on island which are your Road Tax in Okinawa and JCI in...
Wondering what simple Japanese phrases to know before you arrive in Japan? Well hello! Konnichiwa! こんにちは! Embarking on the journey to Okinawa can be an exciting and enriching experience, but navigating this language barrier can be quite difficult. Arming yourself with...
Pride in Okinawa is an inclusive celebration of love, identity, and acceptance. In 1994, the U.S. military’s policy “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” was adopted, which kept LGBTQ+ service members from being open about their identity. The rule was discriminatory and based on...
Making phone calls is quite different when living in Okinawa. There are some emergency phone numbers in Okinawa you need to know and should have on hand. These numbers not only include emergency services (you can't just call 911), housing, and some additional service...
Have you heard of Small Package Shipments? This is a little known resource that is available Marine Corps families during any PCS (even CONUS) but it was really handy when we made the move to Okinawa! Small Package Shipments are just like any other shipments you make...
The sponsor program in Okinawa is a program designed to give you and your family a go-to person during your transition to the island. Most of the time, sponsors are people who are assigned to do this by their command team. Most of them don't even take a class or have...
Moving is stressful, add in a move to a foreign country, and stress levels go through the roof. One thing you may begin to stress about is what you’ll be able to purchase and what things to buy before moving to Okinawa. In this article, we will cover some suggestions...
Understanding a culture can be as easy as shopping at their local stores and local shopping in Okinawa is no different. From the most treasured convenience stores, known as konbinis, to your typical shopping mall, you’ll find everything you need in the local stores as...
The Patriot Express is the military flight that takes service members and families to and from their overseas duty stations. It is a very long flight with minimal amenities, so you will want to pack your suitcases for the Patriot Express with all the essentials. These...
The long flight is behind you and you finally have your feet planted firmly in Okinawa. You are probably anxious to get off the plane and get settled in your home or lodging for some much needed rest. Since you're on the Patriot Express, you will land at the airfield...
The commissary is your obvious choice when it comes to grocery shopping in Okinawa. But is it the smartest? We are going to explore the many options you have when it comes to grocery shopping in Okinawa. When you are stationed anywhere in the states, you have the...
Drinking responsibly while stationed at Okinawa means knowing the Taxi and Daiko services and planning ahead. With the “Not One Drop” policy on the island, you do not want to be caught somewhere after a night of drinking with no way home. Whether you decide to take a...
What is the newcomer's orientation in Okinawa? Where is it? What do I need to bring? As the wheels of the plane touch down on the tarmac in Okinawa, a whirlwind of excitement, anticipation, and perhaps a bit of trepidation fills the hearts of newcomers. Attending the...
The answer to what should be in your OCONUS PCS binder is going to vary from family to family, so I'm going to share what is essential in an OCONUS PCS binder. Keep in mind that this could vary widely based on the different needs and ages of those in your family. The...
Working Remote as a SOFA (Status of Forces Agreement) is now more achievable than it's ever been. Gone are the days when military spouses had to hit pause on their careers when duty called for an overseas move. Thanks to the rise of remote work, spouses are empowered...
Veterinary care in Okinawa offers a plethora of options to keep your fur babies healthy and happy. Whether your furry companion needs a routine check-up or specialized care, Okinawa has you covered. On Base Veterinary Care in Okinawa Kadena AB’s Okinawa Veterinary...
What Okinawa Facebook groups should you know while your stationed here? Okinawa runs on Facebook! Each base will have a different page for its residents. Each facility will have a different Facebook page for its facilities and each housing area will have its own as...
Learning how to purchase a vehicle in Okinawa and navigate the island’s vibrant market can be intimidating for newbies. With unique shapes and colors unlike anything in the states, Okinawa offers a diverse array of options tailored to meet your needs – whether you’re...
Navigating Okinawa’s narrow roads and discovering its hidden gems is not just a privilege but a necessity, which is why your SOFA drivers license is so important. Enter the realm of SOFA (Status of Forces Agreement) – a crucial document granting military personnel and...
Welcome to the ultimate guide on how to survive the “Invasion of the Relatives” AKA how to sign in visitors on Kadena AB (Air Base) while living here! Just like a surprise visit from your in-laws, having friends and family descend upon you in this tropical paradise...
Amidst Okinawa’s lush landscapes and vibrant culture, military personnel and their families stationed on the island must adhere to unfamiliar regulations, particularly drinking and driving in Okinawa. During your time on the island, you will hear “not one drop” said...
So, you’re moving to another country where you don’t know the language, they drive on the wrong side of the road, there is a “not one drop” alcohol policy when it comes to drinking and driving, spiders the size of your head, and housing on base is full. You know...
One of the most common questions we often see on Facebook groups is "what do I do with my cell phone when I'm stationed in Okinawa?" and "how do streaming services work in Okinawa?" Cable and cell phones while stationed in Okinawa take a few extra steps but it's...
We all know the "official" things you need to do before you get to Okinawa: the no-fee passports, overseas screening, apply for housing, etc (and if you don't, read this). But we have come up with a list of things you should do before you PCS to Okinawa to make things...
Moving OCONUS is a whole new experience, especially if you haven't done it before. When moving your entire family, you have three separate shipments to plan for: Express or Unaccompanied Baggage (UAB), Household Goods (HHG), and Non-Temp Storage (NTS). Let's explore...
Moving OCONUS is a whole new experience, especially if you haven't done it before. When moving your entire family, you have three separate shipments to plan for: Express or Unaccompanied Baggage (UAB), Household Goods (HHG), and Non-Temp Storage (NTS). Let's explore...
Embarking on a PCS journey from the continental United States (CONUS) to an overseas assignment in Okinawa, Japan, can be both exhilarating and overwhelming for military families. Most families will fly on government contracted airlines, known collectively as the...
Prepare for a Typhoon early! Okinawa Typhoon season officially starts June 1 and ends November 30 of each year. They can also come early or later than this season, but primarily come during this typhoon season when the water and weather is warmer. It helps to be...
Chances are, you are going to live on base when you PCS here, but there is always the chance you could end up off base in Okinawa. With the policy “Live Where You Work” in place, you are assigned two different bases as housing options depending on the servicemembers...
Moving to a new duty station is a hallmark of military life, offering opportunities for adventure and new experiences. Port to Home is a newer option available to military families to make the process of transitioning to Okinawa quite a bit easier. For families...
As a military spouse who runs two home based virtual businesses, while raising three children, it was extremely important to have Internet up and running as soon as we walked into our on-base house in Okinawa. Luckily, setting up Internet on-base in Okinawa is pretty...
One of the first things that runs through your mind when you get orders to Okinawa is, "Ok, so what do we need to do first?" Don't worry; we have you covered. Here is a list of OCONUS paperwork you need to do first. There are certain things you will need for this PCS...
So you have orders to Okinawa. Congratulations! Unlike other duty station locations you may have been to, the military bases in Okinawa are broken up into smaller, annexed locations spread all across the island. We have almost all the branches aboard the military...
PCS Okinawa is here to help guide you through the process of getting yourself and your family to Okinawa, as well as to provide you resources, activities, and current events of things going on all around the island during your tour here.
PCS Okinawa is run by military spouses of all branches, so that we can provide a comprehensive guide for unaccompained, UDP, and incoming families and help make the transition to and stay in Okinawa even better.
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