So we know we are coming to Japan in September. Right now we have orders to go to CA for his school ( we are in VA ). It's a three month school that he needs for what he selected to do in Japan.

Well we have the orders for the three month school, but nothing about the orders for Japan ( which is what we selected and were told we had ).

Without those orders I can't put anything in storage, or set up an express shipment ( the Navy obviously isn't paying for us to go to CA with him ), or do you know, ANYTHING really.

That frustrates me because we wanted to go to CA with him when he gets back ( he's on deployment now, and has no joke, seven days from the day he gets back from his deployment to get to CA ).

So of course after six months we want to go with him! But right now I'm getting a serious run around in regards to what the heck to do with our household goods for Japan. We can't store them without orders, the orders we have but haven't actually seen.

The detailer keeps telling him that he has the orders, but they aren't showing up in bupers ( or whatever the darn system is ).  We've been waiting since October of LAST year ( his nine month window opened up then and we selected these. Originally he was to be released from the ship but they extended him...go figure).

Argh! End rant thanks 

With the orders, if the detailer says you have them, he/she should be able to e-mail you or your husband a copy of those orders! Otherwise, the orders don't exist except in the detailer's mind!

If putting your stuff in storage means you can stop paying rent in VA, and try to find an inexpensive place to live in CA, then it sounds like a good idea. But CA rents are quite a bit higher than VA rents, and your husband won't get extra money for being in CA -- he'll probably be assigned a barracks room. Are you renting now, and will be putting stuff in storage so you don't have to pay rent in VA? If the orders suddenly change and you end up staying in VA or going somewhere other than Japan, will having your stuff in storage be helpful or a giant pain? Also, when we had orders to Japan, my husband had a two month school before we went. At the end of the school, we had to argue hard to get them to fly us both from CA instead of him from CA and me from our address of record.

We're in VA now, after four (wonderful!) years in Japan. Please feel free to PM me if you want to talk on the phone.

Also, your express shipment is not that much stuff -- no furniture, for example. Do you need a separate storage unit for that, or should you maybe put that at the front of the storage unit separate from your HHG, and have a second storage unit for stuff not going to Japan?

Our express shipment was kitchen stuff, bed linens, clothes, towels, etc. -- several boxes but no furniture, less than 1,000 pounds. Our regular HHG was our furniture, minus a few big things, which the Navy stored for us while we were gone (a big sofa, a big china cabinet, our washer and dryer, etc.) You get a smaller weight limit moving to Japan than you do moving somewhere in the U.S. You also don't want to bring any big appliances (no washer, dryer, stove, refrigerator, etc.) or big furniture (huge sectionals, king-sized beds).

What Carolie said.

Also, I have moved from VA to CA and the rent was DOUBLE for a smaller place...:o(

Speaking of getting orders... It seems that no one is getting them due to funding constraints. We are scheduled to move to Japan in May and it is March and we still have NO orders. It is very frsutrating. We were told not to expect orders until 2 months prior to our departure. What a headache!!! But, we can't do anything about it.

We currently live in San Diego CA and moved here from VA. It is WAY more expensive here. We had a 2 bedroom apart in VA for like 700 a month and for a place out here you will pay around 1900 (the cheapest we found).. I have 2 kids. I am sure there are cheaper places but its what we found when considering the school system and distance for my husband to drive to the hospital through ALL this traffic.

I agree with Amy about the DOUBLE and in many cases it is even more than double.

Hope orders are released soon for the both of us.

Not that this helps any...

Sounds like after the TDY/TAD he is to go back to VA vice continuing on to Japan. That being said, they don't consider him to be in a PCS status. (They are only funding the TDY) And (as Kimberly noted) because of funding problems, they aren't cutting PCS orders until they have the money for the month of the PCS...so it will probably be a few more months since Congress seems to be going month by month. (I say vote them all out) Long story short...you won't get PCS orders (in hand) until the month of your PCS (Sep) is funded by Congress. (at least...that's how I think of it)

I think it would be ill advised to assume that you are PCSing anywhere until your specific move is funded. I came to Japan in November of last year and got my orders just like they said, two months prior, and my DH was actually stationed in Millington where orders are generated and knew all the players. It doesn't matter who you are, who you know, or what your circumstances. Until the money is there, you're not getting orders. I actually know of more people getting pushed back than leaving on time. You could find yourself in a financial mess if you go to CA with him. The Navy is not going to pay for you while you are there and you could very well be going back to VA, with him. Instead of flying back to take care of pack out, maybe you should consider a trip out to visit while he is in school. Sorry.

It sounds to me that your husband has Temporary Duty orders to CA and only he will be allowed to go and be paid for by the military. Your BAH will be your Virginia BAH, even if you live in California. We lived in California (San Diego and Monterey) and it is considerably more expensive than where we live now in Maryland. We rented an apartment in San Diego (2 bedroom) for the same price we pay here in Maryland for a 4 bedroom, 2.5 bath and a large fenced in backyard. It's a lot more expensive!! I know it stinks that your husband has to come home and leave again, but it sounds like it would be in your best interest to just go visit your husband in California and not put all of your stuff in storage and give up your home now, just incase you don't go to Japan. Nothing is final with orders until you are on your way to your next destination and even then, they can change. We are supposed to go to Japan in June and we don't have orders yet either. No plans for flights, no moves set up. It's frustrating, I know.. I gave my notice at work, to be done in Mid May, all without having orders. and most likely won't have orders in hand until around the time I am supposed to be finished working. If something changes,I'm out a job. Not the best situation, but what else can you do?? Hang in there, it's not easy, or desireable, but it will all work out in the end.

Posted By Carolie on 03-07-2011 11:54 PM 
we were gone (a big sofa, a big china cabinet, our washer and dryer, etc.) You get a smaller weight limit moving to Japan than you do moving somewhere in the U.S. You also don't want to bring any big appliances (no washer, dryer, stove, refrigerator, etc.) or big furniture (huge sectionals, king-sized beds).

I didn’t realize there were smaller weight limits.  I just read my husband’s orders and they don’t say anything about the HHG weight being restricted.  Do you know where I can find out what we are authorized?

Are they restricted everywhere in Japan or just in certain areas? I know that Okinawa has restrictions.. I know that large items like sectionals are not encouraged, because most of the time they don't fit in the smaller housing you have in Japan. We do plan on brining our king sized bed though.. I have a friend who lives there currently and she has her king sized bed in her apartment there. I'm willing to leave a lot behind, but my bed isn't one of them if I can help it!

We were told we had a smaller weight allowance going to Japan -- but my husband is enlisted, not officer, so it may be different for you. Your PSD can tell you what your weight allowance is.

As for the bed, we had a pretty big house by Japanese standards (kitchen, living, dining and four and a half bedrooms) and none of the rooms would have fit our king-sized bed. But there were a couple of houses we looked at where a king-sized bed would have fit, so if you can't live without it, bring it!

Posted By joshnabbey on 03-09-2011 4:03 AM
Are they restricted everywhere in Japan or just in certain areas? I know that Okinawa has restrictions.. I know that large items like sectionals are not encouraged, because most of the time they don't fit in the smaller housing you have in Japan. We do plan on brining our king sized bed though.. I have a friend who lives there currently and she has her king sized bed in her apartment there. I'm willing to leave a lot behind, but my bed isn't one of them if I can help it!

I've been here before so I chose to leave my entire bedroom suite in storage along with my huge roll-top desk.  Could I find a place... possibly... worth the hassle... not really.

 If you bring your king size bed you will need to look a lot more carefully at the places you are thinking about moving into, will it fit through the doors, up the stairs, in the elevator ect...  I wouldn't bring it personally, but to each his/her own.

Another thing to add to the King Size debate... is he on sea duty? And if so, what kind of ship? If he's going to be gone for more than half the year or more is it really worth the extra hassle for more space on the bed?

My husband and I hold different hours so I don't even go to bed the same time as him and he's on sea duty. A King Size bed would be a total waste on us since I get the bed to myself most of the time I sleep. I'd LOVE one, but that'll be for down the road when I build my own house, I think.

He is an engineering duty officer, so he will not be out on a ship. I know he'll work a lot, but he should be home most nights before bed. I have a friend who lives there now and her kind sized bed fits fine in the room. We will be living on base in the same type of place, or close to it and both of our options for housing have people in them that have king sized beds. We already own the bed, and I'd prefer not to buy another if I don't need to. If it wasn't going to fit, or I cared to have space in my bedroom, I might re consider. We don't spend a lot of time in our room anyway, so to me it doesn't matter much.

Ahhh, I think you already have your answer then.

I've always been afraid to buy a bigger bed because I never know what's in store for when we move. It's just a bed, but we've seem to have to move on the drop of a hat in the past and it's a hassle to purchase furniture that fits.

There is no way I could give up my king sized bed. Even if my husband is only home less than half the year....I don't want to have to go back to sleeping in something smaller. After having a king since we bought our house several years ago we are both very spoiled by it's size.

I live in a tower in Ikego and our master bedroom can easily accommodate a king-size bed. We have a queen size and there is plenty of room.

I live in a townhouse and I brought my kind sized bed but sent the headboard and footboard to long term storage and have the mattresses and box springs on a frame alone. The room is snug with two night stands a dresser and chest of drawers. If I had brought the bed set it would never have fit.

Thanks for all the great responses. Sorry for the rant, I was just so frustrated! Like you guys have all experienced too, he's been gone more than home the last few years so I really wanted to figure out a way to head out to CA. As for lodging I have friends there where my sons and I will be staying ( husband will be in barracks ) so we're not too worried about the financial. I didn't think about the flying out part, or know about the financial issues with Congress.

Also, I have a four poster king bed. I was debating on whether or not to bring it, since he will be on shore ( and is a huge bed hog ), so I appreciate the insight. I don't know if I can go back to sharing a smaller bed with him like we did when we were first married. I wound up on the floor half the time, I swear!