debunk these myths?

[lewisfive]

We are preparing in anticipation of receiving orders in the spring. Since we don't actually have them, it's been hard to get answers to questions, these two in particular:

We have heard that base housing does/does not allow dogs, some say only cats. Is this specific to some bases and not others? Also, on this same thread, we have heard that living in town/off-base is discouraged and can be very isolating, and that Okinawans don't like Americans/military.

Another rumor we would like to clear up is that the military (my DH is a Marine, E6 with 12+ years) will not send a family with more than three children to Okinawa. We are planning a fourth but don't want to jeopardize the possibility of these orders.

If you can put aside the absolute nuttiness this must sound like (four kids and a dog in a foreign country???), can anyone answer these rumors for us?

jax
No Va

[ryukyuboi]

There are plenty of military families on island with many dependents.

Living off base suits many military families just fine. A lot depends on the needs of the family. There are activities on base for kids that would make living on base more convenient.

I don't think it's very fair or accurate to state that Okinawans don't like Americans.

[P_chan]

I've never heard of this dog rule either. I know a lot of japanese airlines won't let you ship a short nosed dog, but that's the only restrictions I've ever heard about dogs.

[lewisfive]

We have a long haired breed and are arranging foster care with his original rescue group until his quarantine period is over. We are concerned however about flying him in the summer, which is when we expect his quarantine period to be completed. We might have to shave him down and send him at night, or wait till the end of the summer months.

I just read somewhere about the tower apts not accepting pets, wonder if that's where that rumor started.
Thanks for your reply!

[Mad Hatter]

Well, I have to think that you are coming over here on a 3 year term. That is the only way that you/your husband can have Accompanied Orders. That states, as you probably know, that you and your kids come with.

If you live on base... you have faster access to the resources that the base provide. The rent and bills are all taken care of in a nice net little package. Your kids will have easier access to the schools and other facilities. You are allow to have a dog/cat/bird... whatever. if it's a dog... I would try to get a place with a fence, or get a fence as soon as you get here. There are alot of families that i know that have more than three kids.

Off Base... You are more exposed to the culture of the Japanese. You might not want to run on base everytime that you need milk, the off base stores have everything that you find on base, but it's a little different and takes time to gt use to. The government will pay for you to live off base. You can use your OHA (overseas housing allowance) to get a place that is really nice. You will not have the the base breathing down your neck, and will seldom be affected by base excerises. Your kids will have to be taken on base to schools. Your bills will be paid, but only the needy bills. You will have to come out of pocket for things like internet, phone, cable... and anytime your bills amount to more than your allowance, you have to pay out of pocket. You will get a better view of the culture, because you will be in the middle of it everyday. There are Beautiful places on this island that you can afford that Okinawans can't. The Okinawans made it that way... it's strange like that... and they may or may not allow pets.


I would live on base first. You can then spend the right amount of time to find a place off base if you wish. Hope it helps

[lewisfive]

You're right, we are expecting a three year tour.
And we are pretty adventurous, and think we would adapt well to living off base. I say this knowing full well that I have never lived anywhere but suburban mid-Atlantic America! Our kids school at home, so that's not an issue.
I do like your suggestion of living on base until we can do some footwork on the island and then move off if we think we still want to. We have never lived on base in the states, though. Just not our thing, DH likes to keep work separate from home as much as possible. We tend to find our "community" in homeschooling groups.
Thanks for your suggestions, this is the kind of conversation I needed. We are not near a Marine base here, it is hard finding someone who has been to Oki recently.

[socalheart]

Housing Overview (http://www.okinawa.usmc.mil/Living%20on%20Okinawa/Housing%20Page.html): Information on available housing on and off base for the Marines.

I've never heard of such a ridiculous rule about limiting the number of children you're allowed. (Sorry, that was an emotional opinion.) You'd have to verify that bit with your command. I've seen folks here with a half dozen kids. They may not provide COLA or other additional monies for a number of children over rank... or however one puts that to make sense. For example, maybe an E-5 is only given dependent monies (COLA etal) up a certain number of dependents. It seems silly, but eh, it's the military, silly happens often. heh.


We have heard that base housing does/does not allow dogs, some say only cats. Is this specific to some bases and not others? Also, on this same thread, we have heard that living in town/off-base is discouraged and can be very isolating, and that Okinawans don't like Americans/military.

Another rumor we would like to clear up is that the military (my DH is a Marine, E6 with 12+ years) will not send a family with more than three children to Okinawa. We are planning a fourth but don't want to jeopardize the possibility of these orders.

[DoctorP]

Housing Overview (http://www.okinawa.usmc.mil/Living%20on%20Okinawa/Housing%20Page.html): Information on available housing on and off base for the Marines.

I've never heard of such a ridiculous rule about limiting the number of children you're allowed. (Sorry, that was an emotional opinion.) You'd have to verify that bit with your command. I've seen folks here with a half dozen kids. They may not provide COLA or other additional monies for a number of children over rank... or however one puts that to make sense. For example, maybe an E-5 is only given dependent monies (COLA etal) up a certain number of dependents. It seems silly, but eh, it's the military, silly happens often. heh.

I'm pretty sure this rumor came about because of the paperwork you fill out prior to PCS'ing. Usually you have to fill out a financial packet, similar to the one recruiters use. This will show that going overseas would not cause a financial burden to the service member or his/her family. (which is pretty ridiculous since you make a helluva lot more money overseas anyway)


We have heard that base housing does/does not allow dogs, some say only cats. Is this specific to some bases and not others?

This refers to the towers. Duplex', quads, single homes are ok with cats and dogs.


Also, on this same thread, we have heard that living in town/off-base is discouraged and can be very isolating, and that Okinawans don't like Americans/military.

It is not discouraged, it may be isolating, but that depends upon where you choose to live. I disagree with MadHatter...live off base first. If you don't like it, then move on base. Judging from some of your resonses here, I believe you would be happier off base.

[/QUOTE]Another rumor we would like to clear up is that the military (my DH is a Marine, E6 with 12+ years) will not send a family with more than three children to Okinawa. We are planning a fourth but don't want to jeopardize the possibility of these orders.
[/QUOTE]

Just wait to get pregnant when you get here...you'd hate the move, plane flight, etc... while you are pregnant! Trust me...the water will do it to you here anyway!

[a_bjyrd]

I'm pretty sure this rumor came about because of the paperwork you fill out prior to PCS'ing. Usually you have to fill out a financial packet, similar to the one recruiters use. This will show that going overseas would not cause a financial burden to the service member or his/her family. (which is pretty ridiculous since you make a helluva lot more money overseas anyway)




This refers to the towers. Duplex', quads, single homes are ok with cats and dogs.



It is not discouraged, it may be isolating, but that depends upon where you choose to live. I disagree with MadHatter...live off base first. If you don't like it, then move on base. Judging from some of your resonses here, I believe you would be happier off base.

Another rumor we would like to clear up is that the military (my DH is a Marine, E6 with 12+ years) will not send a family with more than three children to Okinawa. We are planning a fourth but don't want to jeopardize the possibility of these orders.
[/QUOTE]

Just wait to get pregnant when you get here...you'd hate the move, plane flight, etc... while you are pregnant! Trust me...the water will do it to you here anyway![/QUOTE]

LOL just to comment on the Pregnancy part...They say this is a TWO baby Tour just so you know so I suggest waiting to come over here too. Besides I think it is better to stick with one provider anyways instead of having to switch when you are pregnant....the Plus side here is that we have an amazing hospital with lots of babies being born everyday....oh only restriction I have heard of and actually had to deal with is that I was an E3 trying to get orders over here with 2 dependants and they would not let me...so I made E4 and by that time had 3 dependants and they shipped me right off. I wish you the best of luck. Oh with the dog thing I think you should bring them with you...costs so much more for you to send him plus if you start off on base you should be fine and plus you can probably find someone to help you out with quarantine on base plus even if you do move out in town it is not like the Dog catchers or shoot I dont know what they call them but point is, is that no one comes around to check the dates of when your dogs quarantine is suppose to be up! So my suggestion you get him over here have him stay with a friend or put him in Karing kennels till u find a house and just bring him with you.....I miss my dog everyday and wish I would have brought her with when we first came. now we have to ship and is costing a lot of money. hope this helps.

[letabug]

We took somebody's orders to come here b/c they were going through a divorce and we were going to be getting orders within a few months and were told by the moniter that if since we were E5's that it was strongely discouraged to come to Okinawa with 3 children as the money wouldn't stretch we looked at the figures and thought we'd be just fine and accepted the other guys orders. Our friend who is a career planner said the same thing. We've lived here for a few months now and so far money is more than fine. We live in the towers and were told no pets except like fish.

[FDokinawa]

We took somebody's orders to come here b/c they were going through a divorce and we were going to be getting orders within a few months and were told by the moniter that if since we were E5's that it was strongely discouraged to come to Okinawa with 3 children as the money wouldn't stretch we looked at the figures and thought we'd be just fine and accepted the other guys orders. Our friend who is a career planner said the same thing. We've lived here for a few months now and so far money is more than fine. We live in the towers and were told no pets except like fish.

little question.. are you both E-5's or are you doing that typical dependant crap where they think they have the same rank as their husbands/wives..

If you are both in the military, then yea, you have no worries about money... dual military make bank compaired to everyone else..

[socalheart]

Some people who never lived here are alarmists. Some were here decades ago, when it was very different. Asking folks who are already here, like your sponsor or a forum like us, is better. I've heard from friends with pets that if you bring the pet with you, you avoid the "hell that is the towers", but may have to live off base. Living off base isn't bad for most, but there are those wives who have social issues. Then again, that happens where ever they are... Anyhow, fish are icky. :D

[FDokinawa]

Some people who never lived here are alarmists. Some were here decades ago, when it was very different. Asking folks who are already here, like your sponsor or a forum like us, is better. I've heard from friends with pets that if you bring the pet with you, you avoid the "hell that is the towers", but may have to live off base. Living off base isn't bad for most, but there are those wives who have social issues. Then again, that happens where ever they are... Anyhow, fish are icky. :D

god I hate dependant wives that bitch about being over here..


fish.. icky?? You think he's icky??

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2406/2062081774_500fdbc79a.jpg

[socalheart]

Yes, he's icky. :p heh. I have one of those irrational dislikes for fish. ick.

I've known a handful of spouses, mostly wives, who complained about being over here and such... three of them killed themselves while here.

[lewisfive]

Just wait to get pregnant when you get here...you'd hate the move, plane flight, etc... while you are pregnant! Trust me...the water will do it to you here anyway![/QUOTE]
Good point... although, I was hoping to get the first three months out of the way while I still have my own comfort items and usual food.

Oh with the dog thing I think you should bring them with you...costs so much more for you to send him plus if you start off on base you should be fine and plus you can probably find someone to help you out with quarantine on base plus even if you do move out in town it is not like the Dog catchers or shoot I dont know what they call them but point is, is that no one comes around to check the dates of when your dogs quarantine is suppose to be up! So my suggestion you get him over here have him stay with a friend or put him in Karing kennels till u find a house and just bring him with you.....I miss my dog everyday and wish I would have brought her with when we first came. now we have to ship and is costing a lot of money. hope this helps.[/QUOTE]

It was my understanding that "they" would check all the dog's papers at the airport before releasing him, and if it has been less than the required 6 month waiting period "they" would take him immediately to a kennel to be quarantined until the time is up.

It seems like a good idea to compare the cost of boarding over there (for whatever amount of time is necessary) with the cost of leaving him here until the six months is up (including support for his foster family and the airline ticket). Although these certainly aren't the only two options, as my parents may come over later in the year, especially if there is another baby on the way. They could possibly bring the dog then, as checked baggage.

jax