Qestions about employments in Okinawa [Archive]

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rodo2586

05-17-2008, 06:38 AM

DoctorP

05-17-2008, 09:03 AM

What type of skills do you have? (or should I say skillz?)

rodo2586

05-18-2008, 03:26 AM

What type of skills do you have? (or should I say skillz?)
Skills wise, or Skillz( sorry not a great speller)

I have forklift operating experience, and vehicle operating.

I have some computer knowledge. Like building and repairing

I taught english in Urose for a couple years as a part time thing.

I am willing to learn anything and i am not afraid of acutally WORKING.

rodo2586

05-18-2008, 03:30 AM

Well if you don't mind actually WORKING you might have a better chance finding a contractor job aside from that there is MCCS,Kadena services and Navy MWR,thing about jobs here is that Spouses/family members of active duty get priority so even if you are qualified for most jobs spouses will get it before you do.
and the only other options you have locally are teaching English which in many cases requires a degree.
The local job market is pretty limited even if you speak japanese,so i would suggest finding something on bsae,stick it out till something better comes along or work on your degree while waiting.
I dont actually mind WORKING.

So how would i go about getting a job thru MCCS or 18 Services withough SOFA status. Isnt that kind of difficult.

I know its going to be really hard at first. Just trying to prepare my self the best I can.

We wont be moving for another year or so. So gives me a little time

Thanks for the help

Brand_X

05-18-2008, 06:05 AM

MCCS and the MWRs are not the way to go. They only hire people who already have sofa status unless its a world wide announcement due to the fact they have to give you some sofa benefits if directly hired. Keep your eyes peeled for those as they go fast. There are always the outside employment agencies that can get you a job on base. Both MCCS/MWR type jobs and contractor jobs. The other route is to get stationed over here before you EAS/retire and get hired on before your sofa expires. If you want a GS job then carpet bomb them with applications though you have to be able to get on base because they only take them in person (no email applications accepted at the CHRO). This time of year they have a lot of openings and many dont require a degree just experience. You will be looking at GS 3 - 4. The navy CHRO had (has) a GS 7 to 9 opening fot an IT specalist and another for IT supply. But thats a rare find (They are still open). Every now and then the consulate has job openings on their web site. Some places are easy some require you to be god or his brothers best friends lover.

If you speak Japanese there is always off base employment. Not impossible but not always the easiest to find either. Start school now! Any degree (or even credits) is better than nothing. Dont be an ass kisser but find some good contacts here so you can be "in the know". Networking goes a long way. Remember the states. People with their masters degree have had to move back because they couldnt find a job they where willing to do. Last but not least use hard work and dedication to finding a job. You will never find one if you half ass it here.

Good luck!

Muku

05-18-2008, 11:10 AM

Skills wise, or Skillz( sorry not a great speller)

I have forklift operating experience, and vehicle operating.

I have some computer knowledge. Like building and repairing

I taught english in Urose for a couple years as a part time thing.

I am willing to learn anything and i am not afraid of acutally WORKING.
I respect your willingness to learn but I think the first thing that you need to work on I think would be to take some refresher courses in grammar and spelling before applying for a job on or off base.

I realize people make mistakes here and there in spelling but from your OP and even the subject title I think that there is something more there than just a miss here or there. Take some classes, it will help you in the long run.:)

I'm sorry but being brutally honestr here your application form is going to look atrocious with spelling like yours and the first impression that your make could be the one that either gets your hired or tossed in the trash.

Urasoe, must have been pretty hard up for any"bodies" to fill their positions if you worked for them, if only from reading your posts here.

First impressions can make or break you.....good luck! Oh and btw 110,000 to 130,000 is not going to be enough to take care of a wife and yourself. Rent, food, transportation and a myriad of other things cost money. Unless you plan on living in public housing.

hankypanky

05-19-2008, 10:37 AM

yeah agree with muku, you would need a base of 300,000 to start with. you could work day and night and make that money, if hard work is not a problem. their always construction jobs open, see jay in classifieds under employment, he's always looking for laborers. New car sales is sometimes looking, but u have to have the gift of gab to make a dime there.

are you planning on living with your inlaws when you arrive back? that would help until u get your feet in the work force. you will need 2-3 thousand bucks to get an apartment started also. Vehicle, that can come later, but u need to think about licensing also. i would get an international licence now, gives u time once u get here to pass the test.

few of us old timers here have been where your at. much more difficult and pricey than it was in the past for young guys to stay on the rock without the language or sofa status.

Jazz

05-19-2008, 11:18 AM

Seems that Muku may benefit in taking some of his own advice, maybe a refresher course could help here.

hankypanky

05-19-2008, 11:35 AM

Seems that Muku may benefit in taking some of his own advice, maybe a refresher course could help here.

he don't need a job, new guy does:rolleyes:

Muku

05-19-2008, 01:06 PM

Seems that Muku may benefit in taking some of his own advice, maybe a refresher course could help here.
I am...btw. I dont tell or ask someone to do something that I wouldnt not be willing to do myself either. So I put my money where my mouth is here.:)

One thing I will point out however is that I am usually the last person to comment on a posters mispellings or grammatical errors when posting here. I make plenty of mistakes myself.

However I have yet to see anyone here do this poorly, and I stand by what I wrote previously, first impressions when looking for a job can make or break a person.

and if for some reason the OP'er does have issues with writing thanks for shooting him down publicly and most likely making feel a little insecure...

in general i enjoy most of your posts but you are coming off as a real _______ in this one..
Thank you, but it is meant to help him, because I know very well what he is going through here and working to improve one's self is always a plus.

To me someone looking for advice or help in finding out employment options would in my opinion work a bit harder at making a better first impression.

DoctorP

05-19-2008, 01:08 PM

I'd like to point out that this guy replied to my post...in which I used a little sarcasm and included the common "hood" spelling of skills as skillz.

Rossi46

05-19-2008, 02:33 PM

Rossi46

05-19-2008, 02:46 PM

no comment

Then why post?

I can understand that you don't like people who take grammar on the internet to the extreme. It really annoys me also. Muku was very polite about telling him what he should work on and answered some of his other questions. God forbid you ask someone a question and get an honest answer without someone else getting butt-hurt about it...

Dark_Ronin

05-19-2008, 05:40 PM

not to be an ass.. but how someone types in a forum is not an indicator of their writing skills...

some people like myself just refuse to take a FORUM so serious...

that is one problem in this and moany other forums.. too many people are grading and spell checking each others posts...

if you are gonna help this guy out fine.. but dont be a a condescending dick to someone who is looking for help...

and if for some reason the OP'er does have issues with writing thanks for shooting him down publicly and most likely making feel a little insecure...

in general i enjoy most of your posts but you are coming off as a real _______ in this one..

I think the same, about taking this or any other internet forum so serious but for some people this is a way of life, is like the matrix they really care a bout their internet personality, i doubt the act the same in person :w00t:

Muku

05-19-2008, 05:46 PM

so you are telling me that since he asked for some advice on a FORUM. he is supposed to make some kind of first impression...

last i checked i dont think he was applying or interviewing for a job here... he was simply looking for some information....

yes its always good to improve yourself.. that was previously addressed in the thread with someone suggesting he take some college courses...

what you did was attack him and his post by ever so politely telling him he needs to seek help with his grammar and spelling and such.... then calling his post atrocious...

i am failing to see anything helpful in your post that hasnt already been discussed in the thread... (without insult might i add)

and just in case you are not sure... i do not think it is a prerequisite that one must utilize proper grammar and such on this FORUM...
Did you ever stop and think that there might actually be people here on this forum as well that may be looking for people to hire? Web Forum or otherwise his first impression here to me leaves something to be desired in respect to his English skills.

You know there just may be jobs that are related to teaching "English" here that are available, and there just may be some people that happen to read this forum that could direct him in the proper direction, yet those same people may be putting their own name on the line when making the recommendation and based upon the first impression that he made here, may have second thoughts about giving out that information based upon the fact that he has poor grammar and writing skills.

If I was in a position to hire someone, or to direct a person on where to look I most definitely am going to take at look first at the person I am "talking" to to decide whether or not I want to assist them based on my impression on whether or not I think they would be worth refering to the person or company I may have in mind.

Outside of DocP's comment about skillz, I am the first and only one to suggest up to that point about something he could do to make himself more marketable here.

I find it commendable that you defend the guy, yet I can not see anything that YOU have written here that would assist this guy in getting employment here. All you have done is complain about what I posted, which btw was an honest suggestion and good advice not just for him, but anyone looking for a job.

Outside of Guyjin and Brand and myself, I havent seen anyone give this guy any ideas or suggestions on things to do. Yet if you look at other threads around here that discuss similar issues you may see that many more people replied and gave much more helpful information, it wouldnt surprise me one little bit if it is because of their first impression.

I repeat myself here again, and the majority of posters here that have seen many of my posts know that I do not comment this strongly about English spelling or grammar.......however they werent asking for advice or suggestions either.:)

Rossi46

05-19-2008, 08:00 PM

http://jobsearch.usajobs.gov/jobsearch.asp?q=&lid=18255&salmin=&salmax=&paygrademin=&paygrademax=&FedEmp=N&tm=&sort=rv&vw=d&brd=3876&ss=0&FedPub=Y&SUBMIT1.x=105&SUBMIT1.y=17

If you don't know about this site check it out, it might be helpful if you're looking for something on-base/post/camp etc...

SGT_OKINAWA

05-20-2008, 02:55 AM

Rodo2586,

Make sure you grab a look-see at this thread:

Want to know what makes me mad? (http://www.japanupdate.com/forum/showthread.php?t=2814)

I too am in the USA, but am NOT willing to:

Sell everything
Drop mad cash on 4 plane tickets
Live off base scratching for money
Have no SOFA
etc...

So I commend you for taking such a big adventure. :w00t:

I know a few guys I would call friends that have done / did the same thing. One said f*^Ck it I can't live like a 3rd class citizen, barely making it along, with no "Future" or stable investment into a career, property, i.e. house, cars, boats, etc. and he came back to the USA and has a really nice paying job now and just bought a house.

So again, when you think you can't take it anymore living in OKI with bread and water for dinner, just remember that the U.S. Government "SOCKED IT" to the DOD and made them cut funding for such things as oh say, ... "PCS costs will be paid" ! Jobs that you and I would qualify for, give our right nut for and they now go to the "Dependants" of military over there, who in 1-2 years leave and again give that job to another dependant that will leave when thier military spouse packs up.

Well, my advice is.... Think Long and Hard about what you THINK you can and can't do over in Oki, it is not as easy as you think, and if your Okinawan wife is so upset about living in the USA, PM and my wife can tell her the truth!
Good Luck!
Peace!:army:

Muku

05-20-2008, 06:09 AM

So again, when you think you can't take it anymore living in OKI with bread and water for dinner, just remember that the U.S. Government "SOCKED IT" to the DOD and made them cut funding for such things as oh say, ... "PCS costs will be paid" ! Jobs that you and I would qualify for, give our right nut for and they now go to the "Dependants" of military over there, who in 1-2 years leave and again give that job to another dependant that will leave when thier military spouse packs up.

I dont understand the anger at the government wanting to save money, while it just appears that you just want a free plane ticket back here with your wife and children, not that I blame you........

Yeah it's a risk coming back here with no security blanket, however it can be done and there are plenty that do it. I have been living here over 20 years now and since coming back I have never worked in a SOFA status position nor on base.

Got lucky? Maybe, but it also took a lot of hard work, and one can make themselves more marketable by doing little things like learning to speak the language, and improve his own which btw I havent seen anyone here yet advise him to do.

Seems to me that everyone thinks about the gravy train of SOFA and just decide to toss other opportunities out the window because they arent willing to sit down and learn another language. Not saying that he isnt willing, just an observation on my part, I am not pointing fingers at anyone here either. Sure there are "less" opportunities off base, however Japan in a big country with a huge economy, there are other options open, like mainland, for one really wanting to move back here to Japan.

Try this link for job information btw.....Job Opportunities (http://www.gaijinpot.com/job_search.php)

However we created these types of difficulties and problems by making the choice to get married to a Japanese or Okinawan female. These are issues that I think most decided not to consider previous to getting married and either consciously or subconsciously put into the back of our minds for a later day. Well that later day has come for this guy.

rodo2586

05-23-2008, 02:46 PM

I dont understand the anger at the government wanting to save money, while it just appears that you just want a free plane ticket back here with your wife and children, not that I blame you........

Yeah it's a risk coming back here with no security blanket, however it can be done and there are plenty that do it. I have been living here over 20 years now and since coming back I have never worked in a SOFA status position nor on base.

Got lucky? Maybe, but it also took a lot of hard work, and one can make themselves more marketable by doing little things like learning to speak the language, and improve his own which btw I havent seen anyone here yet advise him to do.

Seems to me that everyone thinks about the gravy train of SOFA and just decide to toss other opportunities out the window because they arent willing to sit down and learn another language. Not saying that he isnt willing, just an observation on my part, I am not pointing fingers at anyone here either. Sure there are "less" opportunities off base, however Japan in a big country with a huge economy, there are other options open, like mainland, for one really wanting to move back here to Japan.

Try this link for job information btw.....Job Opportunities (http://www.gaijinpot.com/job_search.php)

However we created these types of difficulties and problems by making the choice to get married to a Japanese or Okinawan female. These are issues that I think most decided not to consider previous to getting married and either consciously or subconsciously put into the back of our minds for a later day. Well that later day has come for this guy.
Muku

Sorry I haven’t been on the forum for a couple of days. I have been reading thru the replies. On my first post I did not proof read my writing before I submitted it. I did not know how to take it off once posted. Sorry for the miss spellings and grammar mistakes. I know what a first impression can make and I felt pretty stupid for the errors.

I am actually attending college right now and have completed 4 English classes. So I am not an illiterate person. I was just in a hurry and did not take the time to proof read my writing. I do have to admit spelling is not my strongest subject but thank god for spell checker.

About coming back to Okinawa, I am planning on living with my mother in-law. She owns a decent size house and has her own business. We are planning on starting an English program for the neighborhood kids offering classes in the evenings.

The income I quoted earlier would be sufficient. The expenses we will have are groceries, utilities and auto. But my wife is also going to be working.

I am trying to learn Japanese. I have complete two Japanese college classes and I am currently using Rosetta Stone computer program. It is very difficult. But with hard working and determination one can accomplish anything.

rodo2586

05-23-2008, 02:57 PM

InDuhUSA

05-23-2008, 10:12 PM

SGT OKINAWA
Thanks for the reply

We still have sometime to decide what we are going to do. My wife does not hate the U.S. She doesn’t mind it here at all. But she is an only child, and feels bad for her mother. Family is very important to her.

But we have thought about staying here for a couple years after getting out of the Military. Getting a decent job and saving up so money.

I believe I can ERD(Early Return of Dependents) my wife back to Okinawa. So that will offset the cost some.

You're in the same situation as I am. My wife is Okinawan, an only child, and we are living in the USA (8 years now). I have to agree with Sgt. Okinawa. I miss Okinawa like crazy but I am not willing to leave a well paying job which I currently have to barely make it over there and my wife is not willing either. Her parents have basically advised us not to come back there to live, only come back for visits (they will be coming to visit us in a couple of months).

As a matter of fact I was nearly in that situation when I left Okinawa. I was a local hire, picked up by DoD three months after I got out of the military. Stayed in my position six years. Local Hires were only supposed to stay for five years. The DoD compenent I worked for bent the rules a little just for me and were going give me one more year but said that was all that they could do. I decided that if my living and my support of my wife and three children were now in jeopardy and was not guaranteed anything past a year, it was time to depart. God a job in the USA in which they paid all shipping costs and PCS costs (my four year PCS privileges with the military had already expired and they were not about to renew them) and left Okinawa. Nonetheless, I expected I would get back there in three or four years with the housing and other stuff.

Not a chance! I applied for every job in Japan that I was qualified for, some that I overqualified for, willing to take a significant drop in pay. However, like Sgt Okinawa said, they like giving the jobs to dependent spouses or some retired military man who is willing to do the do it without the housing allowances and other bennies. I think I had gotten one interview for a job at Camp Zama but I had a lot of competition. I lost. Too many people want to live in Japan at government expense.

But don't be discouraged. If you really want to go back there, I have been told that there are ways. A civilian contractor wanted to hire me to come back there, but was only going to pay for me and not family. It was not worth it to me, but it might be worth it to others if they are willing to fork over money for tickets for the rest of the family.

Muku

05-24-2008, 12:08 AM

Muku

Sorry I haven’t been on the forum for a couple of days. I have been reading thru the replies. On my first post I did not proof read my writing before I submitted it. I did not know how to take it off once posted. Sorry for the miss spellings and grammar mistakes. I know what a first impression can make and I felt pretty stupid for the errors.

I am actually attending college right now and have completed 4 English classes. So I am not an illiterate person. I was just in a hurry and did not take the time to proof read my writing. I do have to admit spelling is not my strongest subject but thank god for spell checker.

About coming back to Okinawa, I am planning on living with my mother in-law. She owns a decent size house and has her own business. We are planning on starting an English program for the neighborhood kids offering classes in the evenings.

I am trying to learn Japanese. I have complete two Japanese college classes and I am currently using Rosetta Stone computer program. It is very difficult. But with hard working and determination one can accomplish anything.
More power to you!:thumbup: I was first going to apologize if you felt I was giving you a hard time, even though I was being honest with you. However you came back and replied, and from what you wrote here I must admit that first impressions are not always what they seem to be.:thumbup1:

If you are planning to do English classes in your neighborhood remember that it is a hit or miss proposition. You will have to be willing to work when EVERYONE else is off, meaning night times and weekends and holiday's. Because that is the ONLY time your clients will have time to come and study.

Will you be able to offer anything other than "eikaiwa"? If not, goodl luck, because kids here need eiken training more than eikaiwa for entrance exams to JHS and HS and Uni. Will you be able to offer eiken clases, TOEFL, or TOEIC classes as well?

Eikaiwa is hit or miss and expectations will probably be higher than what you actually acheive. There are plenty of people here that offer what you are thinking about for free, and then again you will be going against established schools and juku's. You have to be able to offer a product that brings in customers on a REGULAR basis.

Sure you might be able to start something, but even if you offer lessons at 3,000 to 5,000 yen for 60 minutes 3 times a week you are going to need at the minimum of 30 to 40 students every single month to make the money that you think you need to live on...100,000 to 130,000 yen per month. Plus that is talking about group lessons. Can you handle a class of 15 to 20 people of ALL DIFFERENT levels, meaning possibly from ES to University or beyond in the same class environment?

I know plenty of people that have tried, they were semi-sucessfull for a year or two, but over the long haul they all failed, because they burned themselves out doing sales along with teaching. Plus there is plenty of competition as well.

The income I quoted earlier would be sufficient. The expenses we will have are groceries, utilities and auto. But my wife is also going to be working.

Ok let's say you mother-in-law gives you a car, you will need about 3,000 yen or so, give or take according to coverage, for insurance. Gas right now costs about 165 yen per liter or roughly 630 yen or 6.30 dollars per gallon. figure about 70.00 to fill up your tank or 7,000 per week depending upon how much you drive. Utilities, do you like hot ass humid weather? If you do then you can live with about 100.00 per month for electricity, but if you like A/C and if you intend to teach out of your house then expect to spend around 20,000 yen or 200.00 per month conservatively for electricity. Then there is gas and water which is around 10,000 yen for both.

So right there you are looking at maybe 20,000 per month for gas and 300.00 conservatively for utilities. Right there is 500.00. Have you considered health insurance, figured in taxes, food costs? Well if you plan on eating cup ramen 3 times a day I guess you could manage to save, oops the wife too, so about 6.00 a day for ramen ONLY, times 30 180.00...right there you are looking at maybe 700.00 not including anything else.

You are going to have a seriously hard time on 100 to 130,000 per month. Do you have kids? Or planning on some? Kiss that budget goodbye......

Ok now that I have shot a bunch of holes in your plans are you scared yet?

After you respond to this one, I will pass along some other information to you!Not everything is THAT bleak, but you had better open your eyes to the reality.

Oh if you find any spelling mistakes, which I am sure there are....I have had about 3 liters of beer before making this post..........:eek:

SGT_OKINAWA

05-24-2008, 04:13 AM

You're in the same situation as I am. My wife is Okinawan, an only child, and we are living in the USA (8 years now). I have to agree with Sgt. Okinawa. I miss Okinawa like crazy but I am not willing to leave a well paying job which I currently have to barely make it over there and my wife is not willing either. Her parents have basically advised us not to come back there to live, only come back for visits (they will be coming to visit us in a couple of months).

As a matter of fact I was nearly in that situation when I left Okinawa. I was a local hire, picked up by DoD three months after I got out of the military. Stayed in my position six years. Local Hires were only supposed to stay for five years. The DoD compenent I worked for bent the rules a little just for me and were going give me one more year but said that was all that they could do. I decided that if my living and my support of my wife and three children were now in jeopardy and was not guaranteed anything past a year, it was time to depart. God a job in the USA in which they paid all shipping costs and PCS costs (my four year PCS privileges with the military had already expired and they were not about to renew them) and left Okinawa. Nonetheless, I expected I would get back there in three or four years with the housing and other stuff.

Not a chance! I applied for every job in Japan that I was qualified for, some that I overqualified for, willing to take a significant drop in pay. However, like Sgt Okinawa said, they like giving the jobs to dependent spouses or some retired military man who is willing to do the do it without the housing allowances and other bennies. I think I had gotten one interview for a job at Camp Zama but I had a lot of competition. I lost. Too many people want to live in Japan at government expense.

But don't be discouraged. If you really want to go back there, I have been told that there are ways. A civilian contractor wanted to hire me to come back there, but was only going to pay for me and not family. It was not worth it to me, but it might be worth it to others if they are willing to fork over money for tickets for the rest of the family.

*Thanks God, I am not the only one who sees this and is beating his head over this*

InDaUSA, yes! same here! Day-in and day-out apply at all those web sites, I truely think the GOOD OLD BOY SYSTEM is the only way to get over there.

and to Muku:

*Thanks god that Muku tells the truth, and explains exatly why at age 38 and I am disabled, I am not going to dropp all and act like a 24 year old again, I can physically handle moving like that without the SOFA.*

To both:

I agree I have to much at stake with my current GS job, a great set up here in the USA, and on my way to a GS-11 job hopefully. But I too would take ANY SOFA job over there, just to get my foot in the door!

Again sorry, I still have to go to the root of the issue, UNITS ARE FORCED TO PAY PCS EXPENSES, it is not fair, cry boo hoo, yeah I am bitching, so what, I can bitch all I want....until I explode! :8:

Sorry, but I am just glad that there is someone else who can truely understand my pain and frustration, and maybe lend a few kind words of hope to eachother.

Peace!:army:

rodo2586

05-24-2008, 07:18 AM

More power to you!:thumbup: I was first going to apologize if you felt I was giving you a hard time, even though I was being honest with you. However you came back and replied, and from what you wrote here I must admit that first impressions are not always what they seem to be.:thumbup1:

If you are planning to do English classes in your neighborhood remember that it is a hit or miss proposition. You will have to be willing to work when EVERYONE else is off, meaning night times and weekends and holiday's. Because that is the ONLY time your clients will have time to come and study.

Will you be able to offer anything other than "eikaiwa"? If not, goodl luck, because kids here need eiken training more than eikaiwa for entrance exams to JHS and HS and Uni. Will you be able to offer eiken clases, TOEFL, or TOEIC classes as well?

Eikaiwa is hit or miss and expectations will probably be higher than what you actually acheive. There are plenty of people here that offer what you are thinking about for free, and then again you will be going against established schools and juku's. You have to be able to offer a product that brings in customers on a REGULAR basis.

Sure you might be able to start something, but even if you offer lessons at 3,000 to 5,000 yen for 60 minutes 3 times a week you are going to need at the minimum of 30 to 40 students every single month to make the money that you think you need to live on...100,000 to 130,000 yen per month. Plus that is talking about group lessons. Can you handle a class of 15 to 20 people of ALL DIFFERENT levels, meaning possibly from ES to University or beyond in the same class environment?

I know plenty of people that have tried, they were semi-sucessfull for a year or two, but over the long haul they all failed, because they burned themselves out doing sales along with teaching. Plus there is plenty of competition as well.

Ok let's say you mother-in-law gives you a car, you will need about 3,000 yen or so, give or take according to coverage, for insurance. Gas right now costs about 165 yen per liter or roughly 630 yen or 6.30 dollars per gallon. figure about 70.00 to fill up your tank or 7,000 per week depending upon how much you drive. Utilities, do you like hot ass humid weather? If you do then you can live with about 100.00 per month for electricity, but if you like A/C and if you intend to teach out of your house then expect to spend around 20,000 yen or 200.00 per month conservatively for electricity. Then there is gas and water which is around 10,000 yen for both.

So right there you are looking at maybe 20,000 per month for gas and 300.00 conservatively for utilities. Right there is 500.00. Have you considered health insurance, figured in taxes, food costs? Well if you plan on eating cup ramen 3 times a day I guess you could manage to save, oops the wife too, so about 6.00 a day for ramen ONLY, times 30 180.00...right there you are looking at maybe 700.00 not including anything else.

You are going to have a seriously hard time on 100 to 130,000 per month. Do you have kids? Or planning on some? Kiss that budget goodbye......

Ok now that I have shot a bunch of holes in your plans are you scared yet?

After you respond to this one, I will pass along some other information to you!Not everything is THAT bleak, but you had better open your eyes to the reality.

Oh if you find any spelling mistakes, which I am sure there are....I have had about 3 liters of beer before making this post..........:eek:
I am not scared. I know that its going to be difficult.

But you also forgot to include my wife's income. I am going to us dollars because it’s easier to type ha-ha. She will be making around 1800. So if I am pulling in around 1000 or 1500 that would be a combined income of around 2500-2800 depending on what I can find. So my income would cover utilities, food, and other living expenses. We still have her income.

My mother in law sells car insurance. So I will not have to worry about that.

The hard part is finding a job that I can earn 1000 to 1500. The English teaching is just an idea and it’s not going to be my main source of income.

The English teaching would just be a part time thing in the evenings/ weekends.

Here are a few other questions that I have wanted to ask.

How do you get a drivers license?

Once you have a driver’s license does that include Moped?

How do you get a Motorcycle License?

Health insurance- What is the best route to take for health insurance?

Muku

05-24-2008, 09:22 AM

I am not scared. I know that its going to be difficult.

But you also forgot to include my wife's income. I am going to us dollars because it’s easier to type ha-ha. She will be making around 1800. So if I am pulling in around 1000 or 1500 that would be a combined income of around 2500-2800 depending on what I can find. So my income would cover utilities, food, and other living expenses. We still have her income.

My mother in law sells car insurance. So I will not have to worry about that.

Health insurance- What is the best route to take for health insurance?

No actually I didnt forget the wife, I purposely left that out because even though a woman may say it's ok to live off of her income as well not all really think that way here. I dont know your wife so I was left with generalizations, sorry about that.

So Mom-inlaw is going to be paying your car insurance, more power to you, I think.

Im happy your wife has a job already lined up, is she a teacher or a nurse? Or maybe will be working on base as an IHA or MLC? Not too many jobs for females here take home 180,000 per month before taxes. And if that is gross income them expect to lose about 40,000 or so to Social Health Insurance, unemplyoment insurance, and pension insurance.

If your income is under roughly 12,000 per year, get on your wifes health insurance from her employer as a dependant. The rates wont change and you will be covered. Otherwise you will have to get it through the city office and the first year will be down right dirt cheap, because payment is based upon your previous years income. However the next year it will go up. I was paying 240,000 per year for health insurance. Oh and remember this, it is technically manadatory here to have health insurance.

The hard part is finding a job that I can earn 1000 to 1500. The English teaching is just an idea and it’s not going to be my main source of income.

The English teaching would just be a part time thing in the evenings/ weekends.

Ok, just sounded to me that this was going to be your "main" income that's all. If you are looking on base then do what you have been doing and what others here have advised, there were people here previously looking for help on their boats....that is or could be an option for you too.

Here are a few other questions that I have wanted to ask.

How do you get a drivers license?

Once you have a driver’s license does that include Moped?

How do you get a Motorcycle License
Yes the drivers license includes the Moped License, up to 50CC's. The drivers license requires you to take a written test, now available in English and then a practical exam on an enclosed road course at the testing station.

There are quite a few posts on a couple threads here discussing this headache.

Tanimaga

05-24-2008, 10:37 AM

It's threads like this that make me appreciate what I have. I'm in a spot that most would like to be in, and I'm grateful. :thumbup1:

InDuhUSA

05-24-2008, 11:27 AM

It's threads like this that make me appreciate what I have. I'm in a spot that most would like to be in, and I'm grateful. :thumbup1:

Aaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhh stop bragging! (Just kidding :D)

z's inmate#2341

05-24-2008, 04:58 PM

rodo2586

When do you plan on arriving in Okinawa? In Feb/Mar 2009 there should be a civilian contractor position available where I work. It would be best if you were on-island to apply for it.
Requires some heavy lifting/manual labor and a security clearance. Starting pay isn't great, no cola or housing allowance, but gives you limited SOFA status (i.e. no DODDS school for your kids, if you have any). Mainly, it's a job that can get you by, until you find something better. Plenty of down time for school work, if you are working on a degree.
No guarantees on how long the job will be available. People come by and drop off applications as they are getting ready to separate/retire on-island. PM me if you want more info.

SGT_OKINAWA

05-28-2008, 04:02 AM

It's threads like this that make me appreciate what I have. I'm in a spot that most would like to be in, and I'm grateful. :thumbup1:

Ow! That hurts. :crying:

Peace!:army:

jrademacher

06-25-2008, 07:35 AM

try a head hunter in tokyo that has connections in japan, just google it

DougP

06-25-2008, 08:53 AM

All you need is some luck, some networking and some really good friends. Being married to an Okinawan helps out a lot too.:) Even though you do not have a degree its still quite possible to land a GS position or even a job as a contractor on base. It all depends on what skill sets and working experience you have so far. What do you do in the Air Force? Do you have a security clearance? If you work in a technical field do you have any certifications? Now is as good a time as ever to get started on the job hunting and there are some people here that can help. It took me a little over 9 months to find work here after getting out. I didn't have any work lined up by the time I got out but I had saved up a bit by then. It all worked out well for me!

rodo2586

06-26-2008, 03:52 AM

In the Air Force I am a AMMO troop. But currently I am the Facility Manager and Vehicle Control NCO.I am in charge of 104 vehicles and 76 facilities. The same job as a civilian pays very well. I have forklift operating experience, general computer skills; I have no certifications so far. I want to be a certified munitions inspector, but I believe there are no civilian munitions positions in Okinawa. I do have a security clearance. Its not TOP Secret, but I do have Secret.

I am coming back in August for vacation, We really haven’t made up our minds if were are going to stay in the states or go back to Japan. We are thinking about Mainland also. Its just very difficult with her mother. The wife’s father passed away when she was 6 months old. So they have a very strong bond and you should all ready understand the family bond with Okinawan’s.

I honestly don’t care if its GS or not. I just want a source of income. I could sell cars at BC.I am not scared to work. Currently I am working two jobs and going to college. I will not have my degree complete by separation though. Any how, thanks for the reply.

jrademacher

07-06-2008, 07:29 AM

ill take a job. i wanna run a massage parlor like U-time. That place is awesome. You know for the male relaxation point of view. I've talked to a lot of people and they give U-time great reviews. So, keep the good times rolling. Callin all people that want to make money and have a good time doin it.

Old Timer

07-07-2008, 01:23 PM

I'd like to point out that this guy replied to my post...in which I used a little sarcasm and included the common "hood" spelling of skills as skillz.
"Hood" spelling??::cursing:
Car hood
Father Hood
Brotherhood – Goodwill etc.
Jacket "hood"
Hoodlums?

To which were you referring?

resumes4success

07-25-2008, 06:01 PM

Hello

I am new to the forum. But I have a few questions and from what I have been reading sounds like a lot of you guys on here have a lot of experience.

I am married to an Okinawa. I am currently in the States but plan on moving back to Okinawa. What would be the best route to go to find employment in Okinawa.

I am in the Air Force but am going to be getting out. I do not have a bachelor’s degree. So I doubt I can get a GS position. I know that jobs in Okinawa are really hard to find.

I am not looking for anything special just something that will pay the bills roughly 110000 to 130000 YEN/ month.

If you have any suggestions or advice I would like to hear it

Rodney
Please email me at resumes4success(at)gmail.com. I have some job info for you.

I have a great track record in helping people get jobs around the world including Okinawa (my clients have been hired by Apptis, Lear Siegler, L-3 Communications, Titan, SERCO, Chenega, Cubic, General Dynamics, SAIC, and CSC just to name a few and that's just on Okinawa!).

Robert