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My sailor is headed to Japan, any advice?

I am not a Japan mom, but a soon to be Japan girlfriend.  My boyfriend was in Pensacola for Rescue Swimmer School.  He DORed and is now heading to Japan in about a month.  We are going in completely blind and know absolutely nothing, so I was wondering if anyone could offer us some sort of advice...anything would be appreciated.

Thanks!

Views: 738

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by chelsealouise on January 20, 2011 at 10:00pm
oh wow I can't believe it will be so long until he can see you - that has to be hard! but thank you for sharing that about the app, I will need to tell Cody to get that.
Permalink Reply by randy'smom on October 6, 2011 at 9:49pm
My son just got to Yokuska. I am new to this site, but was wondering how it's been going as far as communication and getting home on leave. I would love to communicate with someone with experience.
Permalink Reply by Anti M on October 7, 2011 at 8:06am

Communication while in port will be alright, although it will depend on his work schedule and access to wifi, and what type of phone he gets there.  While deployed, not so much.

Coming home on leave will be tricky, and most assuredly expensive.  If he is on a ship, he will be the new guy and his leave requests won't have priority over the guys who have been there and desire leave.  Holidays are a big maybe, but the commands do try to approve what leave requests they can.  While the sailors earn 30 days a year, they don't usually get to take it all at once, a week or two here and there through the year is more workable with command manning needs.  Two weeks of leave isn't a lot of time to come home on, travel eats up a couple days each way.  Unlike their orders, they don't get travel days while on leave.

Permalink Reply by chelsealouise on January 20, 2011 at 10:55pm
Thanks for all of your advice!
Permalink Reply by Anti M on January 14, 2011 at 10:04am

I was stationed in Yokosuka, and lived in Japan for 12 years, both as a sailor and as a dependent wife.  I can answer a few questions.

 

Two years isn't so bad.  The first two years I was married, we saw each other a total of 28 days, and we were both in Japan!  Just active duty, and in different places.  

 

Welcome.  Japan is great, although mot so much for girlfriends.  And no, you can't just go live there.  Apply for your passport now if you ever plan to visit.

Permalink Reply by chelsealouise on January 20, 2011 at 12:01am

Don't worry I am not naive enough to believe I could just go live there.  Although, I would like to visit maybe once. 

I am not really sure what type of questions to ask because I don't really know anything. So any information you can offer about the area/life there would be great.  How is it with communicating back home? Am I crazy to believe we will still be able to talk every day?  What about leaves to come home, is there any opportunity for that? 

Thank you for your post!

Permalink Reply by Anti M on January 21, 2011 at 9:20am

LOL, when I was there, we didn't have cell phones.  Calls were expensive and few. But I was with hubby most of the time.  When he was on the ship, we'd go weeks or months without talking.  I got used to it.

Like Angelika said, they can call almost anytime they are in port.  I'd add "and don't have duty".   The time difference make sit difficult, and they can get crazy-busy. You'll get a feel for your sailor's schedule after a while, but as you kow, things can change in a heartbeat.

I love Japan, although it is even more expensive now than when I was there.  I wouldn't shut myself up on base though, just to save a few bucks.  I lived in a cute little Japanese house, taught English to my neighbors and was immersed in day to day Japanese culture.  I shopped on base, but still bought snacks and interesting things in the local shops.  There are more restaurants there as the Japanese kitchens are tiny and they tend to eat out more often than American families. The food is wonderful, there is something for every taste. I love history and places like Kamakura are very close. MWR offers great short weekend tours too.  

Ang..Permalink Reply by Ang.. on January 20, 2011 at 8:28pm
I sent my son a package during the holidays to Yokosuka and believe it or not it arrived in 6days that what during holiday peak, so I am hoping the cookies I am sending this week get there much sooner.
Michelle Chicago MomPermalink Reply by Michelle Chicago Mom on January 21, 2011 at 5:54pm

Ladies - I'm new to this group as of a couple mins ago when I joined...my son will finish C-school next week and he is going to Yokosuka.  I'm kinda worried it is so far...So just reading a few of your comments have made me feel better already....

 

So if everyone here on the GW?

 

Michelle

Permalink Reply by mostele on August 28, 2011 at 8:19pm
Michelle - my son will finish A school this week, and he will be stationed on the GW....also
Permalink Reply by Kassondra0319 on October 5, 2011 at 8:05pm

My boyfriend just left this past week for Japan. He too was in Pensacola for Rescue Swimmer and DORed as well. I also have very little information. Today is day three of him being gone and I am yet to get an email or phone call. His mom and I are trying to be as patient as possible but are both very on edge however I am feeling VERY encouraged after reading about the cell phones and frequent calls :D

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