Is there childcare for 10 year olds during the AOB/ICR class?  How long is the class each of the 5 days it meets?  Are there breaks?

Oh....and when should we take the AOB/ICR class? Right away, or can we wait a week or two? I REALLY would like off-base housing, but I want to be able to drive fairly quickly, too. So what should we start first--the class or house hunting? Does it really matter?

There is an email address on the CFAY website for the class. They can send you an agenda. Each day has a different schedule. Mon is 0845-1435, Tues 0845-1415, Wed 0745-1550, Thursday 0845 (then fieldtrip, so not sure how long), Friday - 0745 - whenever the driving class is done. It looks like there are a few 20 minute breaks and 1 hour for lunch.

When I asked about childcare they said to make an appointment at the CDC and we would get a voucher to cover the cost. I am not sure the age range for the CDC, but I think they go up to 12.

https://www.cnic.navy.mil/Yokosuka/CommunitySupport/FFSC/Relocation/AOBICR/index.htm

Hopefully someone can answer about when to take the class. We are going to do the housing briefs and house hunting the first full week we are there and then do the AOB/ICR the next full week. But my husband is deploying and his ship wants it done right away.

Childcare goes up to fifth grade. You utilize after school care at the Youth Center next to the commissary. My daughter didn't like it too much. Being your child is a 10 year old though you have a couple of different options:
1) school age care (you will get vouchers at AOB and you need to stop by earlier to fill out paperwork at the school age care center).
2) youth center (4th grade and up -- free. There is also paperwork to fill out here. It is right across from Purdy Gym. They have games, movies, etc. The kids can walk there directly from school.)
3) technically since they are 10, they are legal to stay @ home by themselves... I don't like that idea though.

Good luck. I would take the class in the first week that I could. We came in a week with a holiday so I had to wait for the following week to start AOB. There is some good information on day 3 & 4. Day 1 & 2 has good information if you are newer to the navy. All days mandatory though... Enjoy Japan!

What are AOB/ICR classes?

***PRE-REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED***

AOB/ICR is offered weekly from Monday through Friday, and is mandatory for all newcomers in accordance with CFAY and CNFJ Instructions.

Representatives from around the base will talk about policies, procedures and benefits associated with living in Japan; and local experts will discuss cultural issues and adjusting to your new home.

Attendance is required for all incoming military.

AOB/ICR is held on the 4th Deck of the Community Readiness Center, Room 442 - Auditorium.



AOB/ICR is held every week, except for weeks that have federal holidays.

**** ADULTS ONLY****

AOB / ICR auditorium is not designed to facilitate the presence of young children so parents must make other arrangements.

Members may make arrangements with a childcare provider - Hourly CDC 241-4101; or, attendees  may attend on different weeks.

For more information, to obtain a daily agenda, or to register, please call or email us.

Yokosuka Fleet and Family Support Center:
DSN: 243-3372/6716
FAX: 243-9604
From Off-base/Cell Phone: 046-816-3372/6716
Commercial from the US: 011-81-46-816-3372/6716

Email:
ffscinfo@fe.navy.mil

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Here are some additional posts that discussed AOB/ICR in Yokosuka:

Area Orientation Brief/Intercultural Relations (AOB/ICR) Program Relocated

Yokosuka AOB / ICR Childcare Options?

Yokosuka Week Long Orientation Class: Yokosuka AOB/ICR

If you can, I would recommend waiting a week or two after you get here. If you do it right away, you are so jetlagged that you don't remember a thing.

I definitely agree with Donna! If I were you, I wouldn't plan much of anything for the first week, except trying to get to know the base and maybe trying to figure out where Blue Street is. You'll be so tired trying to adjust that doing anything that requires a reasonable amount of thinking is nearly impossible. I think we did our class after about 2 weeks and I'm glad we didn't do it any sooner!

As far as child care, as others have said, they will give you vouchers to cover any child not old enough to stay at home unsupervised. Younger children at the CDC, and school age at the school age care. We had to split our kids up, (there are 2 CDC buildings on base) so doing all that having to walk them all over base was incredibly tiring especially since they have rules of how long they will cover the vouchers for. So when you sign up for the class call and reserve a spot for your child/children to avoid the extra stress of trying to run around!

Is there a resource and referral number for childcare spots available.
I'd like to see if there is a CDH (verses a CDC) available for our 10 month old daughter and 4 year old son available for the week of the 22nd.

We arrive on the 18th and have a house leased off-base from a relative that will be available on June 1st for us so we'd like to get those classes done that week of May 22nd.

Also... did you have to make the reservation for the childcare yourself or did your sponsor do it?
Speaking of those classes and pre-registering, too, how about that? Does the sponsor sign us up for those now, prior to our arrival?

Members may make arrangements with a childcare provider - Hourly CDC 241-4101; or, attendees may attend on different weeks. currently hourly CDC is closed you will need to call the main CDC to arrange child care. I do not have the number off hand but if you call the number from FFSC that Adam listed they will get you the right contact.

you can set up the class yourself too. You will also need to take the housing brief even though you already have a place to rent. It is in the housing office at the Navy Lodge. You can sign up for that when you get here.

If you do not attend AOB/ICR you cannot get your drivers license and if you are planning on moving off base you may want to take the class sooner so you can buy a car.

have a house leased off-base from a relative that will be available on June 1st for us so we'd like to get those classes done that week of May 22nd.

The house you are renting has been inspected/approved by base housing correct? If it hasn't then you won't be getting any LQA/BAH.

I kinda agree with the people that say to take the class as soon as you can (especially if you want to get your driver's license). I never found jet lag to be that bad coming to Japan. It was always worse for me going back to the states. You may find that you're waking up a little earlier than you want to (like 3AM - but, hey....the sun rises at 3 o'clock in the morning in the summer, so why not get up that early!). Not being able to drive around the base is a real pain when you get here. The shuttles don't run that frequently, and it's no fun walking from destination to destination in the rain (which is usually in June and July - peak PCS season). I guess it just depends on the individual....if you don't want to feel rushed, then schedule it for later. But, if you want to get it over and done with so you can get your license, then schedule it for the first (full) week you're here.

Yes, our plan is to take it that first full week we are there. We also plan on taking the housing brief as soon as we can. We know that although the house is available to us by June first, if it hasn't been inspected we are prepared to wait until it is. It has been inspected in the past when he rented it to military members before, so it's all good there, too.

Thanks, on the other info regarding the CDC... I ran a CDH here and therefore prefer a CDH verses a CDC. That's just my personal choice. Anyway... our sponsor hooked us up with a provider, so that's god info to pass on too: sponsors can do this for us as well.

We're taking AOB/ICR this next week and am trying to find out the dress code policy.  Do we wear business casual, or go comfy in jeans and sweater.  Thanks in advance!  Oh and does my husband wear his uniform or civilian clothes.  Our sponsor is non-exsistant and this site has been our saving grace.  Thanks!

Your husband has to be in some version of his uniform. I work jeans and a shirt when I went. The only day that I dressed up (a little) was the field trip day, which is Thursday. Then I just wore khakis and a button down shirt. THAT day your hubby can wear civies.

Welcom to Yokosuka! Your husband will be in uniform of the day, as for you, you can dress either business casual or jeans and nice top. I will warn you it may get hot in the room, we do not have the A/C on yet. You may want to dress in layers.
On Thursday you will go on a field trip where you both will wear civilian clothing.

Your husband has to be in some version of his uniform. I work jeans and a shirt when I went. The only day that I dressed up (a little) was the field trip day, which is Thursday. Then I just wore khakis and a button down shirt. THAT day your hubby can wear civies. Oh and make sure you drink (and bring) caffiene because quite a bit of the first two day is BORING

Thanks ladies! I was already told about the caffine I know indocs can be mighty boring, I ran them at the Shipyard in Hawaii several years ago. Just anxious to get it over with so we can move into our house.

where have you decided to move? Will you be on main base or here at ikego?

Do you have to attend the AOB/ICR brief prior to going to the housing brief?

Nope! I actally did; however, housing would prefer you do it the other way. Unfortunately, if you attend the housing brief on Monday, then you will have to wait until the following week to start AOB as it start bright and early on a Monday and goes through until Friday.

We got here on a Thursday. Did the housing brief on the Friday and started AOB on the Monday.

Kayjaysvan,

I remember wishing I had arrived on a Thursday or mid week...that was one of the reasons.

Thank of all of you. I will be arriving on a Thursday, so it sounds like a should be able to attend the housing brief on Friday. Thanks again.

I am kind of confused about AOB/ICR, I am super new here to Yokosuka and my husband is already deployed so I am doing everything by myself (I have never done any of this before), so when I asked someone how to check-in at the hospital they told me that AOB/ICR helps you get checked in to everything, is that correct? I'm beyond overwhelmed trying to figure everything out but I have also heard that AOB/ICR is just to introduce you to the area and get your license.

It depends on what you mean by "check in" - and if the process hasn't changed since last year.

If you mean, drop off your medical records, then no, you do that on your own (at least I did - it was part of my Yokosuka Check-In package I received from HRO).

If you mean file your insurance stuff, then yes. One of the speakers is a POC from the hospital and they hand out a sheet that we filled out that asked about our insruance carrier and handed it back.

AOB/ICR is a blend of "checking in" and culture/area information. It's a whole week of listening to speakers from almost every part of the base explain about their role in your life. There are certain things they will help you with (getting ready to take the driver's test, signing up for some hospital stuff) and the other stuff they will explain to you how to do on your own. Attending AOB/ICR might help with some of your stress as they really do break down a lot of information for you.

I honestly don't know exactly what I mean, I'm kind of at a loss really. I have never done anything involved with moving and getting established anywhere because my husband has always done it. He left yesterday and I don't know anyone or really know where to start. So far I have been to the housing brief and the youth center (for my son) so I am trying to figure out what to do next and how to do it.

Hi Tea.Press,

I have moved many times while my spouse was away.  However, I suggest you sign up for the AOB/ICR class and it will probably answer most of the questions that you have.  With the kids returning to school, it will be a perfect time for you to do so.  I think that once you are done you will not only appreciate the area more, you will also know where to go for help if there is anything that you need while your spouse is away.  Also connect with your husband's FRG (Fleet Readiness Group) and ONBUDSMAN.  Both can be an invaluable resources and keep you informed of what is going on with the ship while they are away.  He should be able to provide you with that information.  If not, the info is posted at the post office on the bulletin boards in the lobby.  It may even be on the CFAY website or his ship's Facebook page. 

Anyone know about registering for the class for Atsugi? I registered for the childcare a few days after we get there. But reading on here that you shouldn't schedule until a few weeks after, not sure what we are supposed to do. My husband leaves less than a month after we get there. He's tried to email his sponsor but doesn't get an answer on much of anything and the guy is single & deployed so really wasn't a good fit for us at all.

PickFamily contact Atsugi's FFSC. they run the AOB/ICR class there. just google them for there info. They should be able to help you out. Also contact your commands Ombudsman she/he can give you more info.

Not sure about the Atsugi AOB/ICR, but I am glad at we did our class right away.  We arrived on Wednesday, had our housing brief on Friday and started AOB/ICR on the Monday. Getting a license and a car quickly was of utmost importance. The weather is colder than we are used to and walking this base (commissary, gym, movies, AOB, food court, NEX...and then back to Navy Lodge) in the wind and cold was getting old very fast. The busses here on Yokosuka a less than timely and now having a car has made lodge living a bit more tolerable. 
Good luck. 

Thanks I sent an email hopefully to the right people. Just about 2 weeks to go and trying to get everything set up.