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 you endured to get here. Now it’s time to settle in, adjust to life on this beautiful island, and learn about the Newcomers Orientation in Okinawa!

The Air Force has their own brief on Kadena and you can find information for that here, but if you are USMC or USN, it is mandatory to attend NOWA on Camp Foster. All accompanied (all ranks) USMC and USN service members, civilian employees, family members (military and civilian) age 10 and up, and all unaccompanied USMC and USN (E-6 and above) and USN (E-6 and above), and civilian (all grades) must attend NOWA on Camp Foster within two weeks of arriving to the island.

E-5 and below (unaccompanied) will attend the JRC brief (more information can be acquired by calling DSN 645-5395).

Your SOFA License and any leave requests will not be granted until attendance to NOWA is recorded.

What is the USMC’s Newcomers Orientation in Okinawa?

So, what exactly is the newcomers orientation welcome abroad brief or NOWA? NOWA is your introduction to the beautiful island of Okinawa. You will learn all about Camp Butler (which encompasses all the Marine Corps Bases on Okinawa) as well as learn the basics of the surrounding military bases. You will meet and listen to representatives from most of the organizations and services available to you. You will also learn about the culture and customs of Okinawa and get a better understanding of your responsibilities as a member of the United States military community while living in Japan.

When and where is the Newcomers Orientation in Okinawa Welcome Abroad Brief (NOWA)?

NOWA (Newcomers Orientation in Okinawa Welcome Abroad Brief) is offered every WEDNESDAY from 0700-1400 at the Camp Foster Community Center building 5908. According to the MCCS website, as of July 2024, the schedule is as follows.

0645 – Arrival time for any Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA) privately owned vehicle (POV) license testers, Japanese license holders, and within Japan transfers (Any personnel who arrive after the 0700 SOFA POV licensing examination start time will not be permitted to enter the testing area).

0700 – 0830 – SOFA POV License Examination (Optional if completing before/after the NOWA Brief at the Installation Safety Office).

0815 – Arrival time for non-POV SOFA license examination testers

0830 – 1415 – Mandatory NOWA Brief

What do I do with my kids?

This could be the most challenging part of attending the newcomers orientation in Okinawa for many families. You have the option of you and your spouse attending separate briefs to accommodate one of you looking after your kids.

Some sponsors will go above and beyond and offer to watch your kids for you. Some sponsors don’t have this luxury and can help you sign your kids up for the free childcare offered through the Children Youth and Teen Program (CYTP) on Camp Foster. Space is extremely limited and must be reserved in advance. Sponsors can call the CYTP Resource and Referral office at 645-4117 to make reservations prior to your arrival.

Once you have arrived on the island, you must complete the required paperwork through CYTP R&R (bldg 495 on Camp Foster) 1-2 days prior to attending the newcomers orientation in Okinawa. Your child can be dropped off at the Child Development Care/ School Age Care Center the morning of NOWA only after the paperwork has been completed.

If you have children between the ages of 10-18, a Youth and Teen Tour will be available for them. They will take a bus tour visiting the following Camp Foster facilities: Kishaba Youth Center, Base Exchange, Library, and Bowling Center.

The tour leaves the Camp Foster Community Center parking lot at 0840 and returns at 1130 in time for the youth and teens to join their parents for lunch. Seating is limited to 28 participants so parents are highly encouraged to pre-register their youth and teens when signing up for NOWA.

One thing about NOWA is they understand the struggle with childcare. If the childcare offered fills up, don’t fret, bring your kids. It is highly recommended, though, that you try to have your sponsor or possibly a trusted new friend watch your kids during the SOFA POV License examination portion (currently scheduled as the first portion of the brief). You’ll want undivided attention for this for your own sanity, to make sure you pass your drivers test.

What do I need to bring?

If you are taking the SOFA POV license examination you will need the following:

• 2 copies of web orders (USMC)/original orders (USN) or Letter of Employment (civilian)

• 2 copies of Area Clearance/Dependent Entry Approval if accompanied

• Valid stateside driver’s license

• Military identification (ID)/valid photo ID

• Driver’s Awareness training certificate (USMC) for those Service Members ages 26 and under

• Driving for Life training certificate (USN) for those Service Members ages 26 and under

In addition to this paperwork you should also have your check in sheet if available. The community center tends to be very well cooled, so bringing a light sweater is also recommended. Having a notebook to write down any information will be beneficial but you can always take photos of the slides the presenters use and store them on your phone as an easy way to refer back to them while you adjust.

If you will have your children in tow, make sure to grab your bag of tricks from your travels to help keep them entertained. Some of the presenters have tables set up and they usually have small toys or items that may help entertain kids, but don’t rely on those and make sure to have things that will keep them occupied.

A Virtual Newcomers Orientation in Okinawa brief

While it is mandatory to attend an in-person brief, there are a few circumstances that may prevent you from making this happen. If you cannot organize any type of childcare for your kids and taking them is not an option, incoming spouses of Active Duty service members, DoD civilians and contractors with children under the age of 10 have the option of attending a virtual newcomers orientation in Okinawa brief. The virtual NOWA brief is also available to newcomers who are a single parent with children under the age of 10.

The virtual newcomers orientation in Okinawa brief is a 4-hour, video-based webinar. Virtual NOWA Brief codes and training links are specific to the individual and will be emailed to the approved newcomer personal email address on the Thursday following the in-person NOWA Brief by 1000.

All newcomers that complete a virtual newcomers orientation in Okinawa brief prior to 1400 on Friday will have their name(s) forwarded to the MCIPAC-MCBB Installation Safety Office POV Licensing Section showing proof of virtual NOWA Brief completion.

SOFA POV licensing examination

In order to receive your SOFA License, all portions of the newcomers orientation in Okinawa brief must be completed. In-person NOWA briefs held on Wednesdays have the option of taking the test prior to the start of the actual brief.

If you are taking the SOFA POV License Exam on Wednesday, it is recommended you arrive at the Camp Foster Community Center by 0645. Any personnel arriving after 0700 will not be permitted to enter the testing area and you will need to reschedule the exam on your own.

Testing will take place between 0700-0830. Once you complete the exam they will hold on to your paperwork and process everything while you attend the remainder of the brief. Once the brief is over, your license will be issued to you as you are leaving.

If you attend a virtual newcomers orientation in Okinawa brief or choose to test on a different day than the in-person brief, test sessions are held on non-holidays, Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday at 0800 and 1000, at Camp Foster building 5831 and Camp Courtney building 4319. Check-in starts 30 minutes prior to the test sessions.

A copy of the Japanese Traffic Regulations For SOFA Licensed Drivers manual can be found here.

Registration for the Newcomers Orientation in Okinawa

You must register to attend a newcomers orientation in Okinawa brief to record your attendance. Click the following link to register for a NOWA Brief.

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/mccs-newcomers-orientation-welcome-aboard-tickets-465392791367

Sponsors can also call ahead to register you and your spouse. Registration can be completed by calling the following:

• Kinser 637-2815
• Foster 645-2104/8395
• Courtney 622-7332
• Hansen 623-4522/4860
• Schwab 625-2622.

How do I get to the Newcomers Orientation in Okinawa?

A shuttle bus to and from the newcomers orientation in Okinawa brief is available for those staying at the Camp Foster Westpac Inn temporary lodging facility. A shuttle will arrive at the Westpac Inn at 0600 to accommodate those taking the SOFA POV license test.

For those who are not completing the SOFA licensing exam in conjunction with the in-person brief, a shuttle will arrive at the Westpac Inn at 0730 for transportation to the mandatory portion of the in-person newcomers orientation in Okinawa brief.

Shuttles are also available from Hamagawa and Eagle Lodges. The shuttles will accommodate families utilizing the free childcare and needing to drop their children off at the Foster Chimugukuru CDC. Shuttles will be available after the brief as well.

If you have already gotten into your home or are not staying at the above facilities, you will be responsible for finding your own transportation to the brief. This could be using your sponsor to drive you or calling for a taxi, which are widely available on the island. Information on taxis can be found on our blog here.

Moving overseas is stressful but the newcomers orientation in Okinawa brief is here to ease your worries and help the transition to living in Okinawa. It is a wealth of information and you will surely learn everything you need to know and more. Come ready to learn and with whatever you need to keep your eyes open while you learn about the beautiful island you get to call home for the next few years.

If you have any questions or require special accommodations, please contact your nearest MCCS Personal and Professional Development Resources office:

• Camp Foster, Bldg. 445, DSN: 645-2104

• Camp Courtney, Bldg. 4425, DSN: 622-7739

• Camp Kinser, Bldg. 1220, DSN: 637-2815

• Camp Hansen, Bldg. 2339, DSN: 623-4522

• Camp Schwab, Bldg. 3000, DSN: 625-2622

Useful links

• BRIEF OVERVIEW: https://www.okinawa.usmc-mccs.org/activity/13b36f59-92eb-4994-933f-5fcb4547bb71
• REGISTRATION LINK: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/mccs-newcomers-orientation-welcome-aboard-tickets-465392791367
• MCCS WELCOME ABOARD: https://www.okinawa.usmc-mccs.org/about
• JAPANESE TRAFFIC REGULATIONS FOR SOFA LICENSE HOLDERS: https://www.mcipac.marines.mil/Portals/28/Site%20Images/safety/Driver’s%20Study%20Guide%20JULY%202023%20(1).pdf?ver=Z00lIS4818sE93_oDhlFwQ%3d%3d

Looking for more? Check out these other popular articles on moving to Okinawa.