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Comment by T-Lynn on April 8, 2009 at 9:43pm

Ladies
I think you are the greatest.. I forget that our sailors are computer savy. I am old fashion - I go for the book. Computers - still learning and after viewing the screen for a while, my eye hurts. As I stated earlier - Here are listening and caring hearts. I am writing down the sites - so I can view and study. Then I share with my son. But it is old news I bet for him. Thanks for being there. Blessing of the three days of the Full Moon. May a desired heartful wish come true for you. Terry

Comment by Anti M on April 8, 2009 at 9:25pm

I get accused of being too direct at times. Yes, the Navy teaches sailors and family a lot of self-reliance. You'll be able to tell whose prior Navy and/or a seasoned dependent!

Comment by Anti M on April 8, 2009 at 8:18pm

Some sponsors rule, others drool. My first one in Japan took me to their home instead of checking me into the barracks the first night so I wouldn't have to find my way to the command by myself in the morning. She was great! So want to help as much as possible, others feel it is a chore they don't want to do.

Melia, I have traveled into Japan on orders with just the ID card. The SOFA agreement allows that. But I've needed passports for other travel, as has my hubby. A passport is a good thing to have!

And yes, I've gotten conflicting advice on traveling in uniform or not. They do have to report in uniform. I have gotten on the plane, changed into sweats and then changed back before landing. If there are a lot of military on the flight, the bathrooms get busy in the morning! Do they still do the big charter plane thing? Entire 747s with no one but military and dependents on board. If that's the case, almost everyone will be in uniform.

Comment by Kim on April 8, 2009 at 6:11pm

Thanks Melia. Thanks for correcting me on the sponsor. A book would be great, but I am sure it would be out of date the day after it is published. I got lost at Narita airport because someone emailed me old instructions. I wish I new about this site before my son went to Japan. Or at least before I went. LOL. Anti's and your experience has been worth so much to me.

Comment by T-Lynn on April 8, 2009 at 5:14pm

Dear Kim, Anti, Melia - and others. If I could list all of you - I would. Everytime we share, a sailors is getting help. Thank you. But I am serious about that book! A simple book with suggestions - FACTS known about the different bases, emails, a page for THEM to write down contact numbers, money exchange, etc. If I can figure 'how to" start this book, I'll share. Then figure out how to get it made - with out costing an arm and leg. (Need to keep those - if gas prices go up again - hehe) Anyway - I have to go - crank duty again. But thanks for all the lsitening ears. Terry PS Guess I am so jumping - son is out on Spring tour and no words from him in long time. Just mommy jitters.

Comment by Kim on April 8, 2009 at 4:57pm

Your right Terry. I am sending it to my son too. He still has not gotten his passport. I think this comes under the sponsers job. Let's face there isn't a sponser in the world that is ever going to do as good of a job as mother. That's why we have Navy for moms and people like Anti. Sorry if my cell phone research was too much, but I did have fun doing the research.

Comment by T-Lynn on April 8, 2009 at 4:47pm

Thank you Anita!
I am eamiling your statement to my son aabout the past port Please - why is this not shared at A-Schools? My son was TOLD to fly to Japan in his dress whites! This was back in Ocotober, 2008. He is stationed in Sasebo. When I first came on this site and reading problems that occur for our sailors - I suggested we create a handbook with little facts for sailors. Like cell phones, clothing, sponsors meeting them, where to look for help at an air port, etc. Not trying to be an emotional mom here - just not understanding - why - why this information is not shared. So thank you and everyone sharing. HERE, there is always an answer found. Terry

Comment by Kim on April 8, 2009 at 4:47pm

I did some research on the cell phones. Japan uses a different tecnology than the rest of the world so "most" phones will not work. There are some (I think the G3) that may work but unless you can buy a prepaid SIM card you wouldn't want to use them because you would always be paying long distance and roaming on your current U.S. plan. Most countries use GSM (but still check the frequency). I found a prepaid SIM card for the Phillipines that my son could put in his U.S. phone that would give him a local Phillipine phone number. Long distance to U.S. is .40/min, .08/text. All incoming calls and texts are free. He would need a different SIM card for each country. I am not sure it is worth it. Verizon is CDMA technology, but I heard they are changing and some of their newer phones can be used internationally (Don't quote me on that).

Comment by Anti M on April 8, 2009 at 3:14pm

Verizon will not work. We asked when we went on vacation, and were told no, unless we purchased special "vacation" phones. Ha!

The electricity is the same voltage. The cycle is 50 HZ instead of 60, some items run just fine, some do not. Wait until the sailor can hit the NEX over there to buy an adapter, they carry them for that very reason. Good selection, good prices.

Aviation rates are most likely to go to Atsugi (closest to Yokosuka/Tokyo), possibly Misawa in the north, or Okinawa. If they are attached to a carrier, that's Yokosuka, but the squadrons are at Atsugi.

Jessica, even over twenty years ago, we were told to travel on the civilian passport if possible. There were hostage high-jackings then, more than now (?). The bad guys would go through the passengers and check for military ID cards and passports. You were in for a lot of hurt and possibly death if they thought you were American military and not civilians. These days security is better, but being a civilian in a hostage situation can be a lifesaver.

Comment by Anti M on April 8, 2009 at 11:19am

My husband had the two passports, however I only ever had the civilian one. Maybe because I already had an active civilian one in hand.

Bikes are a very good idea in Japan. They do get stolen, I had a nice new one taken because I didn't click the lock all the way. I recommend a good lock, and use it! Some guys even steal them just to ride around base. Hubby and I used to go commissary shopping on ours, we had front baskets and side pannier baskets, plus backpacks. We could carry quite a lot! we brought a full-sized Christmas tree in a side basket! Quite the balancing act. He even got stopped for speeding on base because he was passing the cars. They couldn't give him a ticket, but they did give him a talking to! Riding in town can be hairy until you get the hang of switching off between the street and the sidewalk. We didn't buy my bike on base, I got it at Daiei, a "lady shopping bicycle." Only three gears, all I needed. I think I went through three bikes in three years the first time I was there, and four bikes in nine years the second time around. They were our commuter vehicles.

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