So it looks like me and the wife are calling it splits, although we are doing it on pretty good terms.

 

Our question is, how does the base handle these types of things in regards to moving household goods? (we are both American)  I would imagine this would be a move done out of pocket.  Does anyone have any experience or information on this?  I would appreciate it.

Contact your command on this one. We had a friend who went splitsville, but not on good terms. But as soon as the divorced was wrapped up she was given a date to be gone. They flew here back to the States, but not all the way home, part of it was out of pocket (so like they'll fly you to somewhere on the West Coast, it's your dime from there). They also gave her a household goods move, and then a separate one for him (and his stuff was put it storage).

So they will pay for the some of the move and do it separately. And of course you know if you're in housing you're going to be losing it almost immediately after the divorce.

If you're out in town I have no idea what to tell you on that one.

I will comment on this because I have a lot of experience with how it happens. Since yours is related to divorce, the command you are attached to WILL actually pay but its up to them for your dependents to go home. Yours being a divorce will have many provisions because the command really will not want to cover divorce related costs to travel home. If its like family seperation, the wife and kids hate Japan, spouse has new job offer, or she wants to attend school, mother very ill, or something they will say "ok" we'll get the paperwork going.

Your first stop, you need to go to Fleet Family Support Center (Yokosuka) and talk to Dr. Suzanne Moore. Call 243-1110 and ask for number to FFSC Center. Ask for Dr. Moore. Set up an appointment with her and let her know what's going on that you recently divorced and all. Ask her to type an ERD letter for you from FFSC. This is something you WILL need to go with your paperwork when you submit your documents to your command for approval. They will have something to go off of PLUS personal property will want to see this for their records. Its helpful to go see her and have this done. She is very knowledgeble of all of the ERD paperwork.

When your command approves of the dependents to go home, you will have many forms, one for household goods. The form that approves household goods to be shipped home at the command's expense will have an account # on the bottom that Personal Property WILL NEED to prepare the shipments. Now, keep this in mind. Whatever you send home, since you will remain in Japan at your duty station, you will ONLY be allowed the remainder poundage to send your items to your next duty station. They will not increase it if you buy a LED t.v. that weighs a little more than what you can send home. The wife takes a load home, you will only be allowed the remainder poundage.

If you live on base or off, Housing has to be notified ASAP of this. This is because they require an update in your housing status on or off base. Whatever you do, be smart about your pay. Your pay will go down and AS SOON AS your family hits the plane at Yokota or Narita, wherever they fly out, the next day let PSD know to stop the extra COLA and pay you receive for them being in Japan. If you stop this earlier then you will be in the "green" with your pay. Just a thought! 

Hope this information helps!

This is interesting, since I am going through it now. I didnt have to speak to the name you mentioned above, I just had my counsellor from FFSC write up a letter stating what was going on.
It is now up to him to submit the paperwork. We are hoping to be out of here by the end of July.
Legal doesnt deal with divorces over here, unless you go the Japanese route, you need to sort out the divorce Stateside.