Why do spouses get preference for employment over veterans in Okinawa

[Tony Stacks]

It's just utter bullshit! Those spouses don't even have to work if the don't want to. They get OHA or base housing, COLA, Comrats so WTF.

:cursing::cursing::cursing::cursing::cursing::curs ing::cursing::cursing

[TheNoNamedOne]

I am not sure of the system in hiring, but I would think it would only be reasonable and an act of appreciation to veterans, to consider them first over spouses if all things are equal in qualifications of the applicant.

[Tempestuous]

I thought there were specific vet preference listings...like GS positions??
Where as the spouses would be more the club positions and such (NFS or whatever that scale is).

Thats what I THOUGHT it was anyways and could be 100% wrong.

Edited to add:
The vet preference could also be different stateside verses overseas.

[Tanimaga]

I do believe that if a vet uses the Transition Assistance given to them, it puts them on an equal level as spouses. It is a "one shot deal" however...at least it was in my day. Once it's used, it's gone.
The word I got years ago when I asked about the spouse level assignment was that years ago, a few ladies who couldn't find employment on base sought less than savory "jobs" off base. This led to some arrests, and the excuse of "I couldn't get a position on base", so the spouse advantage was started. Could be "urban legend", but it doesn't sound too far off the mark.

[Ammoyankee]

I see it both ways. I have a friend who came back over here as a retiree and he is having a very hard time getting a decent base job. But, he came back over here by choice where most of the wives are here because the military brought the family here. My friend could have stayed in the states and been very well off but chose to return to Okinawa kowing he would have a hard time.

[TheNoNamedOne]

Whoa Tanimaga! Interesting perspective.

Man, if a couple with no value of fidelity in sex is stationed here and she is blond and good looking, and they want to turn that infedelity into cash, she/they could make a lot of good money with the Jpn sararymen. All they would have to do is keep it on the way down low.

Over all these decades of a few hundred thousand military spouses accomanying their husbands and the money problems they may have encountered, or those that may have followed them here, I am more than willing to bet this has been. I would even bet that some military ladies who are single stumbled upon the opportunity for this kind of extra money out in town and did it.

The odds of probabiliy I would say is that these things have happened.

[DoctorP]

Spouses of SOFA status individuals have preference over all Vets. That was changed several years ago. I do not agree with this practice, but I'm not in a position to change it either.

[TheNoNamedOne]

That really sucks. I wonder if VFW or other Vet groups have taken this up as one of their lobbying efforts to get changed. They certainly should IMO.

[Tanimaga]

I spoke with my director at work and he coined the phrase "In this system, you don't always get the best person for the job."

Clearly this is the case..I've dealt with very poor working conditions for years, and with no help from upper "management".

I believe the playing field should be level for all.

[InDuhUSA]

Tony Stacks

I feel your pain, though from a slightly different perspective. One of the noticeable things I have seen lately is whenever they have an IT specialist position on Okinawa they only want to hire those who are "within the commuting area." Interpretation: If you ain't already in Okinawa, you ain't comin' at our expense.

Top that off with the fact that so many IT specialists want to keep going overseas, especially Japan, especially Okinawa. Makes it really difficult to get back there.

Ammoyankee

Not sure why people would do what your friend did. Perhaps there is an overabundance of love for Okinawa that would cause some to risk all just to go back to that Island. While I miss Okinawa terribly, I am not about to give up a good job with a steady income and take a risk like your friend did. I miss and love Okinawa but not that darn much. If I can't get a job over there then my wife and I will just have to settle for taking occasional vacations there. Less riskier (unless I get over there on vacation and then say to myself "I ain't never going back to the USA :D)