Looks like I'm getting a pinpoint assignment to PCS to Japan next year in late winter. I've been stationed at Fort Bragg for the past 10 years... I'm thinking I'm in for a culture shock. Anyway, I would like to hear from a few of you out there what to expect. This will be my 5th time to Japan.. well 3 times to Japan and 2 times to Okinawa all TDY trips. I'm not to worried about the move and such as I have spent quite a bit of time in the various Asian countries, this will be my last assignment before I finish off my career. Any input will be appreciated...

Ben

You will love Japan if you get out and experience it. It's a great place to be.

Since you've traveled around Japan but never really lived here, consider living off base during this tour for that complete cultural immersion. Visiting somewhere is nothing like living there. You're gonna love it.

I think I would rather be in Japan than Fayette-Nam, it will be somewhat of a cultural change but it won't be that bad.

Just as a heads up, from what I hear from friends at Zama is that 1) it is a great place to work, and 2) you will not necessarily get the choice to live off base. They have pretty strict control over the housing situation as they have Zama Main Base Housing, Sagamihara Housing, and Sagami Depot Housing. They try to keep a high occupancy rate of on base before they will refer to off base.

I don't understand why Yokosuka isn't taking this tact as well. I was told there was a 5 month wait for me, but I accepted a lower grade of housing to get in faster. It turns out, many Civilains do the same in order to move quicker. The funny thing is, I accepted "Jr. Enlisted" quarters (I am a GS-12), but everyone on my floor is a Civilian. In fact, I think a good portion of the people in my building are E-7 and above, Officer, or Civilian.

On my floor alone, we have 4 empty units. From a conversation with the Housing Inspector (GREAT Team at Ikego Housing Office, BTW), there are a LOT of vacancies on Ikego.

Why are we paying people to move out in town, when there are viable military assets being underutilized? I was told, and I believe it, that they spend lots of additional time and funding to maintain empty units. If housing sits unoccupied for an extended period, things start breaking.

I firmly believe that if overall occupancy is below 75%, nobody should be going out in town who is eligible for MFH. I know that some of you will whine that "we don't get the full Japan experience", but that simply isn't why you were brought here in the first place.

Thanks for the replies... I think my wife would actually rather be on base for convenience anyway, she has never driven a right hand drive... go figure she is from Thailand where they also drive on the right. I'm looking forward to getting there, just got my orders in hand last week, al though my assignment reads I Corp TAC??? Anyway, this will be a nice send tour off to finish off a 24 year career.