Questions about overseas order to Japan

[Princess]

Hi everyone, my son just received his orders and he is going to Japan next month (April). He will be joining the USS Tortuga. He is still very young 18 and sometimes forgets or doesn't know exactly what questions to ask of those charge. And of course, I have questions and am wondering if anyone can please help me.

They are as follows;

*What should he bring with him? For example, can he take his laptop. I have been to Singapore and know they have different voltage.

Will he need linen?

Can anyone tell me about the housing over there? I would like to know something more personally than what is found on the website.

He says that he will receive a raise for overseas, is that correct?

I also heard that its expensive over there, we are already planning a summer trip.

Also, what about cell coverage? We know and use Skype? Is there anything more mobile that he will access to?

Also, on his orders there is no mention as to how long his tour will be over there. He believes it will be until he reups.

Any additional details that you can provide will be greatly appreciated and if I missed anything that I should know I would be happy to hear about it.

Thanks so very, very much.

[Lucia-Tara's proud Mom]

H there. i-may be able to help a little. Daughter has been in Japan 6 weeks after SK school. She wishes she had taken her laptop so we just mailed it to her. She bought a cell phone there & a minutes card. I googled her ship name & they have a ton of helpful info, advice, & which airport or train to connect with. Also your sailor has a sponser to e-mail for pertinent what to do first info. May need a pair of long underwear, soft flannel pillowcase is nice.Tara bought a blanket. Keep in touch. Hope this helps-Lucia

[Princess]

Thanks Lucia, every little bit of information that I can pull together helps. Please keep me update on your daughter's progress since my son will probably walk some of her same steps.

[Anti M]

You should join the Japan moms group, they have a lot of these answers.

I think the laptop will work, the voltage is the same, just at 50 HZ instead of 60. If it does not, he can buy a converter.

Unaccompanied tours are usually 24 months. If he only has a few months on his enlistment after that, he may end up extending for a while more.

He will not need linen, it will be issued for his rack. He needs to wait and see what his individual ship is like, and standard bedding will not fit a Navy rack. Wait and see.

He does not get a "raise" for going overseas. He gets COLA, which is a cost of living allowance for expensive areas. Yes, it is more money in his check, but it is not a raise.

I lived off base in Yokosuka, but I was an E-5, and later, married. He may not necessarily be authorized housing off base; I am not certain how the ships arrange for the sailors' housing. We loved our Japanese house, but a lot of people don't like using kerosene heaters, taking their shoes off indoors or the Japanese tub systems. It is very different than an American home or apartment.

[amanda nevius]

hello i was stationed in yokosuka japan for a year and yes he can take his lap top he will need a converter and they sell that there or at the nex they have cell phones there that with a phone card he will be able to call home he will get overseas pay or cola as they call it. mine was $350 extra a pay check it depends on ure rank the higher the rank the more money save it while you can ! the housing is small he will probley be in a barracks if he isnt E4 some places are expensive others arent depends on where you go if you are gonna go to disneyland get ure tickets early(he can get them cheaper at the MWR) cause its crazy packed there and all over japan he will like japan its exciting depending on his rate and its sea shore rotation(example: 3 years sea 2 years shore) is usually what decides how long hell be over there good luck !

[Princess]

Amanda, this is really great information. I believe he has 2 years shore and 2 years sea. He is an E2 right now.

[amanda nevius]

then hell probley be there for 2 years and with him being a E2 he will probley make just about as much cola as i did if not a little less