I have just recently reported to Yokosuka unaccompanied. My wife and I were under the impression that she would not be able to find a job here with pay similar to her current job in the states and that is why we chose unaccompanied. Now that I am here, I realize that she may be able to find employment and that is what I need some help with. Obviously we would like to know our chances before I perform an order mod and she quits her job. It has been difficult locating job availability online.

33 Years old
Bachelors in Health Care Administration and Health Information Systems graduated with honors
Currently is Regulatory Affairs Coordinator for a major multi national medical device manufacturing company,  4.5 years experience.
Prior to her current job she was office administor for a large commercial construction company handling quality assurance and budgetary requirements for the companies contracts, 3 years experience.

I know that she actually does and did alot more in her current and prior job but, as with the level of her knowledge pertaining to my job, I am pretty oblivious to everything her job entails. She has tried to explain but it really is like I am a teenager listening to my 80 year old english teacher. I just know she works way harder than I have ever had to in my 18 year Navy career thus far.

We would like to see her in a GS job but we are unsure about the steps to take and people to contact. Any help would be greatly appreciated.


Thank you for your time and concern.

Lonely Husband

Go to the personnel office on base and explain the situation. They should be able to give you a quick tutorial on her eligibility and how to apply presuming that she becomes command sponsored (accompanied). There is such a thing as military spouse preference which gives her an advantage in getting hired, though it is not absolute. Someone without the priority can be hired before her based on their qualifications. The one precaution I would offer: She is in a highly specialized field and her chance of finding something comparable to her present position is slim. Mainly because such a position would rarely come up and it would be highly competitive when it does. She would have to resign herself to accepting a post below her capabilities, and maybe not even in the medical field, at least while she continues to find that perfect job (which may or may not ever come up). If she can accept that, then by all means she should come over.

I feel bad that you made a decision for an unaccompanied tour based on incomplete information. I hope it all works out for you.

where exactly is the personnel office

Now that I don't know. I'm in Iwakuni, but I'm sure some Yoko-ites will chime in.

I'll be in Yokosuka on 2July10 so I don't know exactly how the hiring process works there, but...

Here at Naval Medical Center San Diego, we are in the process of hiring quite a few people for my department. From inside experience, we are hiring some people who were recommended to us from other staff members. Good ol' fashion "Networking". We are also looking at Red Cross Volunteers, many of whom volunteered because they want to get their foot in the hiring door.

Importantly, in my opinion, she needs to submit a resume/package with NH Yokosuka HR. From what I understand, even if there is not a position available, HR will keep her package on file. When a position opens, they often go to that file and ask the person if he or she is still interested in a position.

Just go to Human Resources at the hospital, make face time and ask some questions. If your wife is currently working for the DOD she should talk to her Human Resource department and see if they can help her out with some leads in Yokosuka.

This may not help much, but I tried.

I am in the same boat! I will be marrying my boyfriend who is stationed there. I am curious about how to get the orders modified and if it is easy to move on base and perhaps with a dog. He currently lives downtown. Also I will be looking for a job and I want to teach fitness classes on the side and do personal yoga lessons for anyone interested. If you have any helpful information, that you've gathered, please share!

From personal experience:
to TestedTriedTrue. it is VERY difficult to get a gov't job if you don't have one before you leave the US. A certain number of positions have to be given to the Japanese. Then she will be trumped by those applicants with veterans preference. I know there are a number of things in place to help spouses find jobs when they relocate but, now stateside, I STILL cannot get past the 10-point vets.
to chasrm. In order to be command sponsored you are supposed to be married before he received his orders. It is difficult, if not impossible, to get sponsorship in your situation. You can travel to Japan for 90 days at a time and if you find a job in town maybe they can help you with a work visa so you can stay. If you are not command sponsored I definitely don't recommend taking the dog. The quarantine period is 6 months from the time the dog has a FAVN test.