Must Know

Information

JUNE2017

ForMarines, Sailors, and families relocatingtoOkinawa

TableofContents

Relocation Services1

UnaccompaniedServiceMembersPCSing to Okinawa1PCSOrders 3Military ID,PassportsRe-EntryStamps 4ElectronicWelcomeAboard Package 5OverseasSuitabilityScreening(OSS) for FamilyMembers 5AreaClearance/DependentEntryApproval 6Exceptional FamilyMemberProgram (EFMP) 7Firearms,Weapons,Ammunitions 9

PetInformation10

PetImportation Process10Flyingwith Pets 10BannedDog Breeds 12PetsandMilitary FamilyHousing 12

Housing/Household Goods14

Military FamilyHousing(MFG)for AccompaniedPersonnel14Mandatory BachelorQuartersPolicy 16DualServiceMembersandHousing/Billeting 16Household Goods (HHG)WeightRestrictions 17Furnishings 18

Entitlements19

IPAC Check-InandEntitlements19DelayedFamilyMember TravelforUSMCServiceMembers 22

Arrival/Check-InInformation24

Newcomers’ OrientationWelcomeAboard(NOWA) Brief24

OperatorsPermit forCivilianVehicles(SOFADriver’sLicense)25

DefenseBiometricIdentificationSystem(DBIS)26CellPhoneContracts 26ChildSupervisionGuidelines 27

SummaryofChanges28

Relocation Services

Please contactthe MarineFamilyPrograms-ResourcesCenter withanyrelocationquestions sothat wemaydirectyouto theappropriatesection.

DSN:(315)645-8395/7494

Commercial:011-81-98-70395/7494Email:

Unaccompanied ServiceMembers PCSingto Okinawa

Marines and Sailorsreporting to Marine Corps commands:MCIPAC/III MEF(MCB, 1stMAW,3RDMLG, and 3rdMAR DIV)

Thisapplies to all USMC andUSN E-5 andbelow(unaccompanied)assigned toUSMCunits on Okinawa.

Thisinformationpertains to unaccompanied personnel(E-5andbelow)reportingtoUSMC/USNcommands on Okinawa.Therearetwo majorairports/terminalsinwhichmilitary servicemembers and theirfamilieswillarrivethrough.

UnaccompaniedMarinesandSailorsE-6 andabovepersonnelarenotimpacted bythis information.

TheJRC Bus normally arrivesaround 2000 to theNaha Airport andleavesafter thelastflight has arrive.

  • NAHAAirport:When unaccompaniedservicemembers(E-5andbelow) assignedto USMCunits arrive at the Naha Domestic Airport,theyshouldlook fora Marine in uniformwith abrassardsayingJointReceptionCenter(JRC)and holdingaJRCsign.The representativewilltakeall theunaccompaniedservice membersto abus that willtransportthem to theJRC barracks on CampFoster.If there is noJRCrepresentative at theairport,theinbound servicemember should lookforaredandblueMarineCorpssignwiththeJRCcontactinformationandcall theJRC DutyDriverphonenumber forbus pick up.
  • Iftheyneed to contactthe JRC Driver, thedutynumberis 090-6861-4727.Oncecontacted,the driver willgo andpickthem. The AirportInformationDeskalsohas a base DSN accessnumber. TheBarracksDutycanbecontactedat645-5170.
  • KADENA Air Force Base/AMCTerminal:Whenunaccompanied

Marines/Sailorsassigned to USMCunitsarriveatthe Kadena AMCTerminal; theyneed to locate a USMCJRC or PMOrepresentativeafter exitingtheaircraft.TheJRC/PMOpersonnel willprovidethearrivingservicemembers with directions. JRC/PMOpersonnelwillprovide aquick briefto newlyarrived servicemembers

.barracks,before beingprocessedin andtaken to the JRC barracks.

Sailors: Reporting to 3rdDentalBattalion/ Naval DentalClinic

  • Servicemembersreportingto 3rdDentalBattalion shouldboard theJRC bus upon arrival to eitherthe NahaAirport orthe Kadena AirForce Base/AMCTerminal as well. UponcompletionoftheJRCin-processing, theSailor will be released to 3rdDentalBattalion.
  • Contactinformation for3rdDental Sponsorship CoordinatorDSN: (315)645-3529

Commercial:011-81-98-970-3529

FrontDesk: (315) 645-2390

Commercial:011-81-98-970-2390

Email:usn.butler.navdencenokinawaja.list.ndocki-cmd-

Website: Pages/default.apsx

Sailors reporting totheUSNH will bepicked up at theairport by theirsponsor.

Sailors(E-5andbelow)reportingtotheU.S.NavalHospital(USNH)Okinawa

  • Theyshould NOTtakethe JRC bus or go to theJRC Barracks.USNHhas a commandin-processing/indoctrinationprogramthatis separatefromJRC. IncomingUSNH Sailors willbe picked up bytheirsponsorora USNH commandrepresentativeattheir arrival pointsandthen betaken to the USNHbarracks.Itis stronglysuggested thatincomingUSNHSailors contact their commandandcoordinatetheirarrivalpriorto arrivingon Okinawa.
  • Contactinformationforthe USNHSponsorship ProgramDSN:(315)646-7540

Commercial:011-81-98-971-7540Email:

ebsite: or.aspx

Sailors(E-5 and below)reporting to CommanderFleetActivities Okinawa(CFAO)

Sailors reporting toCFAO will bepicked up at theairport by theirsponsor.

AswithUSNH,CFAOSailors should NOTtakethe JRC bus or go totheJRC barracks.CFAOSailorsarepicked upeitherbya commandrepresentative ortheirsponsors.LikeUSNH,CFAOhas acommandin-processing/indoctrinationprogram that is separatefromJRC.

Itis strongly suggestedthat incomingCFAOSailorscontact theircommandandcoordinatetheirarrivalprior to arrivingonOkinawa.

ContactinformationforCFAOSponsorship ProgramDSN:(315)634-8245

Commercialfrom CONUS: 011-81-98-961-8245

Website:

PCSOrders

Servicemembersshouldreviewthe permanentchange of stationorders toensureawarenessand understandingofallapplicableentitlements to includecurrenthouseholdgoodsweight restrictionsandallowances,militarypayandallowances,local housingpolicies,Government of Japan petimportationregulationsandadditional informationasmaybenecessaryon acase-by-case basis,immediatelyupon receipt.Inaddition,theyshould revise theirmilitaryorders to ensuredetailsregardingfamilymembersareup-to-date andaccurate priortoseparatingfrom his orher detachingcommand.Also,savingelectronic copies ofimportantdocuments(i.e.PCS orders,AreaClearance/DependentEntryApproval) is highlyrecommendedsince themember will needthese documentswhencheckingin.

Children 10 yearsof age and oldermust haveaMilitaryID in order to board theAMC flight/PatriotExpress.

MilitaryID,Passports Re-EntryStamps

Inboundservice members should verifythat alltheirdocumentsareup-to-date andallIDsare validat thetime of departure.Name andinitialsshouldmatchon allidentification. All dependents,regardless of age, musthavea passport.Dependents10years ofageoroldermust alsopossess avalid militaryID.Failure to providethese documentscouldresult in notbeing abletoboardthePatriotExpress flight.

All familymembers musthave a passportbefore departingtoOkinawa.FamilymemberstravelingonordersshouldobtainaNo-FeePassportinadditiontoatouristpassport.TheJTRstatesthat militaryfamilymembersratea no-fee passport.Moreinformationcan be obtainedat thedesignatedpassport agent,IPAC Office orthroughthefollowing website:

Familymembersmayalsotravel with theirtourist passport in the event their no-feepassport is delayed. Nomatterwhatpassport theyuse,theymust havemilitaryordersandArea Clearance/Dependent EntryApproval with them.

Servicememberscantravel to Japan withoriginalordersandmilitaryI.D, however,itis highlyrecommendedthat theyobtainatouristpassport,especiallyiftheyplan ontravelingto other neighboringcountries duringtheir tour in Japan.

No-fee passports shouldnot be usedwhen visiting othercountries for leisure travel.No-fee passports areintended forofficialbusinessonly(from the UnitedStatesandback).Service membersarealso highlyencouraged to obtain a touristpassportbeforedepartingto Okinawa.

Foreign-bornspouses do not rate a No-fee passport until theybecomeaU.S. Citizen.TheycantraveltoJapan withtheiroriginalpassport.Ifthe foreign-born spouse is notaJapanese citizen,theywillneed to checkwiththeJapaneseEmbassy/Consulate tofind out theentry/visarequirements forthecountry’spassport theyhold.

Non-U.S. citizens should alsocontactImmigrationandNaturalizationServicesandinquireabouttheirimmigrationstatus just in case theyhaveto return to the UnitedStatesafter comingto Japan.Iftheyhavereceived their Residency/GreenCard orpermanent visato stayinthe U.S., theyshould nothave anyissuesreturning.

DoD Civilianemployeesandactive duty/civilian familymembersareREQUIREDto obtain a MultipleExit/Re-entryPermit stamp on their passport to ensure exit fromand re-entryto Japan with ease. TheMultipleExit/Re-entryPermit stamp forpassportsare issuedbymostInstallationPersonnelAdministrative Centers(IPAC)

onOkinawaandbytheMCBPMO Customs Office duringnormal workinghours.Navypersonnelmayalsoobtain the MultipleExit/Re-entrystamp through thePersonnel Support Detachment(PSD). A copyofthe member’sMilitaryOrders orLetter ofEmployment (civilian)alongwith thepassport(s) are requiredto obtain thepermitstamps atthe designatedlocations.

Onanemergencybasis,DoDCivilianemployees andactiveduty/civilian familymemberscanobtainaMultipleExit/Re-entryPermitstampintheirpassportfromacustomsofficial attheKadenaAirBase/AMCTerminal priortodeparture.

Electronic WelcomeAboardPackage

Access theElectronicWelcomeAboardPackage (EWAP)to obtainmoreinformationat:

TheEWAP contains helpful information pertainingto the Newcomers’Orientation,the Housingprocess,BEQ/BOQ/TLApolicies,aPetImportationBooklet,and muchmore.

***MCCS Okinawahas a new website which is still a work in progress andsomeissues mayoccur when clickingon the websitelinks.Ifyouhave anyproblems,please email theMarine &FamilyPrograms-Resources,RelocationSection ordial:

DSN: (315)645-8395/7494Commercial:011-81-98-970-8395/7494

Email:

It is recommendedfor the memberand accompanying dependents tobegintheOSSprocess withinthefirst 30 days ofreceivingorders

OverseasSuitabilityScreening (OSS)for FamilyMembers

Upon receipt of PCS orders to Okinawa, servicememberswith accompanied ordersmust start theOSSprocess for ALL familymember(s).This process involvesmedical,dentalandeducationalscreenings whichwill identifyif thefamilymember(s) has anyspecial needs on theseareas and if the USNaval Hospital,Okinawawill have the resources to service theseneeds duringthe family’smandatedtour.

Theservice member’s losingcommand, theareaSuitability/Overseas ScreeningCoordinator orthe nearestMedicalTreatment Facilitycan provideinformation aboutthe OSSprocess.Foranoverview oftheOSSprocess and alist of requireddocuments/forms to becompleted please visit the OkinawaNaval Hospitalwebsite.

OkinawaOverseas ScreeningCommittee:DSN: (315)645-646-7408

Commercial:011-81-98-971-7408

Email:usn.butler.navhospokinawaja.mesg.nhoki-

Website:

.aspx

Once the familymembercompletes theOSSprocess and is found SUITABLEtocome to Okinawa, their paperwork must be submitted toIPAC/PSDrequestinganArea Clearance/Dependent EntryApproval (DEA).

ServiceMembersmust haveanApprovedAreaClearance orDependent EntryApproval to rateentitlementsoverseas.

AreaClearance/DependentEntry Approval

To begrantedanArea Clearance/DEAfor dependents, the member must completeaREPORT of SUITABILITY forOVERSEAS ASSIGNMENT NAVPERS 1300/16

application.

Dependents must complete amedical SuitabilityScreening as a prerequisitetocompletingthe NAVPERS1300/16 REPORT of SUITABILITYapplication. Themedical screeningprocess isexplained through the U.S.Naval Hospital, Okinawawebsite. All required medical documents are alsoavailablethrough this site.

Inaddition to the medicalscreeningprerequisite,members must have sufficient timeon their contract to execute the36-month accompanied tour requirement.

ALL familymembers must haveanapprovedAreaClearance/DEAbeforedepartingto Okinawa.The service member should not detachfrom thelosingcommand until his/ herfamilyhas received anapproved message from MCBButler.

TheMCBArea Clearance Office is seeingan increasein preparationissuesfrom thedetachingcommands (i.e. not includingnecessaryattachments/appendices,sendingto the incorrectPLADaddress).Inaddition,recenttrendsindicatethat familymembersare missing/notincludedfrom theservice member’s orders, withthis errornot beingcaught until arrivingon Okinawa.Areaclearanceapprovalsare preparedbased on the member's confirmed dependents in MCTFS.Members areadvised tocontacttheirparentCommand toconduct a dependent audit to addnewdependentsandconfirm theaccuracyof thedependents’ information. Failureto ensurethisinformation is correct could result in delays to approvethe request at theAreaClearance Office.

Navy personnelattached to USMCunits shouldsubmittheirrequestfor aDEA usingthePLA address.

Upon completion oftheMedicalOverseas Screeningand receipt of PermanentChangeof StationOrders(PCSO)that directs a Marineand his/herfamilymembers to anyMonitor Command Code(MCC) on Okinawa; thelosingCommand will submit therequest foranArea Clearanceapproval. Requests must besubmitted usingthefollowingPlainLanguage Address (PLA) to:

CGMCBCAMPBUTLERJPG-1(UC)CGMCBCAMPBUTLER JP(UC)

CGMCIPACG1(UC)

Navypersonnelassignedto Marine Corps Commands on Okinawa will submit theirDependent EntryApproval toIPAC viaPLA addresses described above. However, ifthe NavyPersonnel is assigned to aNavycommand suchasCFAOorUSNH, thelosingcommandwill submit their request viaDMS to: PERSUPPDETOKINAWAKADENA JA//N-1// perthe current editions of NMPCINST 4650.3 (Series)and MCOP1000.6 (Series). For additional assistance concerningthe DEAforpersonnelattachedto Navycommands please contact:

PSD Okinawa

DSN: 634-6310/6316

FormoreinformationorassistanceregardingtheArea Clearance,please contact thefollowingpersonnel:

Area ClearanceCoordinatorIPACCustomerServiceSectionDSN: (315)645-8512.

Also handles Sailors assigned to USMC units.

Once the inbound servicememberreceives theapprovedArea Clearance/DEA,he/she must, once again, verifythat all familymembersarelisted.Inaddition, theymust check if all information is correct (SSN, DOB, etc.).If theinformation isincorrect, the service membermustrequest forit to be corrected beforedepartingtoOkinawa.

Exceptional FamilyMemberProgram(EFMP)

Upon receipt of orders, transitioningservice members withEFMP familymembersneed to ensure:

EFMPenrollment is current,including theIndividualEducation Plan(IEP),Individual FamilyServicePlan (IFSP)and the504 plan. Ensure

allcopiesofyourEFM’smedicalrecords areup-to-dateand on hand.

Iftherearehousingneeds, makesurethat all special accommodationsandmodificationsare annotated bythe treatingphysician on page7ofthe FamilyMedical SummaryForm(DDForm 2792). For moreinformation on this form,please seeyourEFMPCase Worker. TheOkinawaDoDHousing Office located on KadenaAir Base willNOTacceptanymedical Exception to Policy(ETP)without proof ofcurrentEFMPenrollment.For moreinformation orassistance, please contactthe EFMPoffice:

OkinawaEFMPTeamDSN: (315) 645-9237

Commercial:011-81-98-970-9237Email:

Alltherequiredpaperworkmustbehandcarriedforassistancedogsthathelpdisabledindividuals.Checkthelocalpetpolicytoobtainadditionalinformationforasmoothtransition.FormoreinformationonJapan’spetimportationregulations,pleasegototheMCCSOkinawaWebpage,orrefertoitems7and8ofthisdocument.Ifunsure,contacttheOkinawaDoDHousingofficefor additionalassistance.

Hand-carryacopyofyourchild’scurrentIEP/IFSP or 504 plan for anychildren receivingspecialized services in school.

Check inwith arepresentativeduring theNOWAInformationFair.

  • Make surethat theEFMP FamilyTransition Checklist,located on theEFMPpage of theMCCS Okinawawebpage, is completed.
  • UponarrivaltoOkinawa,stopbytheEFMPinformationtableduringtheNewcomer’sOrientationInformationFairandcheck-inwiththeOkinawaEFMPofficelocatedonCampFosterinBuilding495.AdditionalinformationontheExceptionalFamilyMemberProgramorontransitioningtotheOkinawa,canbefoundbyvisitingtheEFMPwebpage locatedat

Firearms,Weapons,Ammunitions

U.S. Forces Japan (USFJ)membersareNOT AUTHORIZEDtoimport orpossess handguns,shortbarrel shotguns/rifles,silencers,replicas, pellet andair soft guns in Japan.

Japan has verystrict lawsregardingfirearms, ammunition and otherweapons(knives).Violationsaretaken veryseriouslybythe GovernmentofJapan (GOJ).Sportingfirearms (shotguns, rifles) must have Commander’s pre-approvalandattainallrequired paperwork from customs priorto purchase.

ADVANCE APPROVALis requiredfrom thegaininginstallationbefore shippinganyFIREARMSinto Japan. Firearms arealso prohibited in militaryfamilyhousingasper theDoD housing Office MilitaryFamilyHousingBrochure.

All individuals comingto Okinawa should thoroughlycheck theirgear toensurethere is no ammunition in their luggage.Ifammunition is found afterenteringJapan at the airport, the service member will be detained in Japanese custody fora violation ofJapanese law. Oncedetained, themilitarychainofcommand willbe notified.

Therearealso rules andregulations in Japan pertainingto thepossession ofknives. Theblademust beless than 2 3/8 inches.Individuals on theirwaytoadivingsitemayhaveadiveknifewith them, but onlywhile participatinginthatrecreational activity. Formoreinformation, pleasecontactthe followingpersonnel:

Provost MarshallCustomsDSN (315)645-2217

Commercial:011-81-98-970-2217

StaffJudge AdvocateDSN: (315)645-7177

Commercial:011-81-98-970-7177

Pet Information

PetImportationProcess

Theprocesstobringapet toJapancanbe veryextensive(6-9months).Werecommendthatservicemembersstartthis processasearlyaspossible byvisitingaVeterinaryFacility(preferablyon-base vetclinic,ifavailable).Allstepsoftheprocessmustbecompletedinordertoavoid delay. Thepet processincludesthe following: 1)Microchip,

2) Vaccines,3)Fluorescent AntibodyVirusNeutralization (FAVN)rabiesbloodtest,

4)Quarantine,5)HealthCertificate,6)AdvancedNotification.There areacoupleofwebsitesthatyoucanvisit toobtaininformationabout bringing yourpets toOkinawa.

  • MCCSOkinawaElectronicWelcomeAboard Package locatedat on "HousingPets”andthen click onthe “PetInformation"link whichwillaccess abookletcalled"ImportingPets intoJapan".Thisbookletcovers thepetimportationprocessstep-by-step.
  • Japan DistrictVeterinarianCommandwebsitelocated at: t/import.aspx.
  • Japan AnimalQuarantineServicewebsitelocatedat: ntactus.html

During peak PCSseason, PTOrecommends tobeginreservationsfor pettravel onAMC flights 90 days inadvance.

FlyingwithPets

Air MobilityCommand (AMC) flights will takepets and cagesweighingatotal of150 lbs. Spaces, forpets,however,arelimited onAMC.If travelingcommercially,pets with their cageweighingovera combinedof 100 lbs. will probablyhaveto gocargo,which is much moreexpensive. Thebest option is to travelthroughAMC, buttheyarelimited to 13 petspaces per flight.Therefore, bookingin advance isessentialfor getting aspot forthepet on AMC.

Traveling duringtheSummer time?Check with theairline regardingtheHeat Embargo.

When AMC flightsare not availablefortravel, the PassengerTravelOffice isrequired to book ticketsthroughUnited Airlines for those flying from U.S.EastCoastdestinationsand with Delta or American Airlines forthose flyingfrom U.S.West Coast destinations.Travelingwith pets tendsto be smootherthroughUnitedAirlines,astheyhavea partnership with All Nippon Airlines(ANA),which is a“pet-friendly”airline. Those flyingAmericanandDelta Airlines, however,arehavingissuesas their connections in Japan (Jet Star/JAL)arenot “pet-friendly”airlines. ThePassengerTravelOffice(PTO)is workingto resolve this issue.Formoreinformation, pleasecontact PTO:

DSN: (315)645-3899/3946Commercial:011-81-98-970-3899/3946

Duringthe periods of15Maythru 30 September most commercialairlinesdeclare apetembargo if theoutside temperaturereaches 85degreesormore. Short-nosebreeds, or mixed breedsexhibitingshort nose characteristics maynot be accepted toflybytheairline duringthis time period.Please check with the airline to find outwhatrestrictions/regulations theyhave regardingflyingpets.

U.S.flaggedairlineswill no longer transportcertain dog breeds,particularlytheEnglishbulldog or mixes ofthisbreed at all. ThePatriotExpress still transportsthem, but space forpets is not guaranteedand is verylimited throughout theyear. Wehighlysuggest thatservicemembers check with the airlinesforregulations/restrictions/policiesregardingshort-nosed dogs beforestarting theprocess to bringpets toOkinawa.

TheState.govwebsite ( alotof helpfulinformation forthose travelingcommerciallywith their pets to includethefollowing:

AmericanAirlines: (800) 433-7300

AirCargoSection:1 (800) 227-4622

Delta:

Reservations:1 (800) 241-4141

LiveAnimalDesk: 1 (888) 736-3738 or1 (888)SENDPET or1 (866) 782-

2746

UnitedAirlines:

InternationalReservations: 1 (800)538-2929

LiveCargo:1 (800) 825-3788

Banned Dog Breeds

Accordingto AFI32-6001_AFGM2017-01andIIIMEF/MCIPACO 10570.1,

certain dogbreeds areprohibited in all MilitaryFamilyHousing(MFH)onOkinawa. The following breeds havebeen identifiedasrestrictedbreeds:

  • PitBull(full or mixedbreed)
  • Rottweiler(fullormixedbreed)
  • Canid-wolfhybrid (fullormixed breed)
  • DobermanPincher (fullor mixedbreed)
  • Chow (full ormixedbreed)

Please note that havingoneof these breeds isNOT justification to be grantedpermission to reside in off-base housing.

Servicememberscansubmitthe PetRegistrationFormalong with theiradvance housingapplicationtofacilitate thehousing process.

Pets andMilitaryFamilyHousing

All pet owners must ensuretheir dogsandcats areproperlyregistered with the BaseVeterinaryFacility(VTF) withinthree days (72 hours)of arrival. All MFH residentswill be required to complete the PetRegistration Form prior to assignmenttoMFH.

Twodomesticpetsperhousehold,definedasacat,dogoracombination,areallowedinsingledwellingunits,duplexes,multiplexunitsandtowers.Intowerbuildings,catsareallowedonallfloors;however,dogsareonlyallowedonthefirst,secondandthird floors.

Beforemakingarrangements to bringapet to Okinawa,you arestronglyencouragedto contact theHousingOfficeatleast 30 days prior to arrival to ensure pet friendlyhousingis available.Havingapet does not guaranteeplacement in a particularhousingunit. Placementisbased on availabilityand the member'sentitlement. The

non-availabilityofpet friendlyhousingis not a justification to turn downahousingoffer.

****************************PLEASENOTE**************************

Duetothe significant amount of constructioncurrentlyunderwayin militaryhousing,onbasehousing will beextremelylimited.Thismayaffect theservicemember’sabilitytoobtain apet-friendlyhomeonbase.Service membersareencouragedtocontactKadena HousingOfficewithfurtherquestionsat(315).

********************************************************************

Housing/HouseholdGoods

A nearly $600million, five yearrenovationprojecthas begunformilitary familyhousinginOkinawa.

MilitaryFamilyHousing (MFG)forAccompaniedPersonnel

ON BASE CONSTRUCTION:

The Department of Defense is makingsignificantinvestments intomilitaryhousing onOkinawa,whichincludeshome improvements,such as heating andair conditioning,kitchen andbathroom renovationsas well aswindowrenovations.The constructionproject is currently underwayand is expected tobe completed during FY2023. Pleasenotethaton-base housinginventorymaybe limited and familiesmay berequired tosearch for off-base housing.

OFFBASEHOUSINGSHORTAGES:

Additionally,thereareoff-basehousingshortages,particularlyin“American”stylehousingwhichprobably willbeineffectfor an undetermined timeframe.Familiesrequiredtomove offbase mayfindtheselectionofoff-basehousingtheyfeeltobe“suitable” tobelimited,especiallyduringpeakrelocation season.Dueto thesefactors,servicemembersandtheirfamiliesmayexperiencelongerstaysintemporarylodgingandbe required toaggressively look forhousingupon arrival.

TLASHORTAGES DURINGPEAKSEASON:

Duringthepeakrelocation season,TLAhousing atthegovernmentrates(onandoffbase)isalsoin extremely shortsupply. Duringthepasttworelocationseasons(May toSeptember)therehasbeen periodswhennotemporarylodgingwasavailableat theestablished governmentratesforinboundand outboundfamilies.Anyamountsabovetheestablished TLAratesarenotreimbursableandareat theindividual’sexpense.Weanticipate thiswillbethesamefor thisyear’srelocation season. WestronglyrecommendgettingTLAreservationsmade asearlyaspossible.

TheAir Forceis theDoD Executive Agent forallMFH on Okinawa. AccordingtoAFI32-6001_AFGM2017-01,allDoD personnelaremandated to liveon-base,unless housingreaches the occupancyrate of98%or more based on service memberpaygrade/familystatus.

Eligiblepersonnel(36monthsaccompaniedtour) can submitanAdvanceHousingApplication (Form DD1746) to the HousingManagementOfficealongwith a

Servicemembersassigned to CampKinser, Futenmaor theNaha Port must Check-intothe CampKinserSatellite Office.

copyof theirorders,Pet RegistrationForm(ifapplicable)andtheSex OffenderDisclosureandAcknowledgementForm.Newcomersmustalsoreportto thehousingoffice within2 daysafter arrivingon island to receivetheirin-processinghousingbrief,beplacedonthewaitlist,andreceive additionalinformationon theirhousingassignment.When visitingthe KadenaHousingOffice,ensure copiesofpreviouslysubmitteddocumentationand a copyof theAreaClearance/DEAareonhand.The flowchartbelowprovides avisual representationofthehousing check-inprocess.

The AdvanceHousingApplication(FormDD 1746),additionaldocuments,andcontactinformation canbe foundat:

Failure toreportto theMFH Officewithin2working days ofarrivalmayresultina loss ofTemporaryLodging Allowance (IIIMEF/MCIPAC-MCBBO7220.1A). This visit is necessaryto verifyyoureligibilityfor TLA,andreceivecounseling andguidancebeforeenteringinto anywrittenlease orrental/salescontract for housing.NavyPersonnel should contact theircommand/PSD to clarify

how this policyaffects them, especiallyif theyare reportingto a Marine Corpscommand.

MandatoryBachelorQuartersPolicy

TheMCIPAC-MCBBPolicyLetter12-16,signed16 June2016, states thatbachelorandunaccompanied enlisted militaryservice members in paygrades E-1throughE-7, WarrantOfficers in paygrades WO-1 throughCWO-3, andOfficers in paygrades0-1through 0-3 shall be assigned to live in on-base bachelorhousing/quarters.

This policyalsostatesthatOverseas HousingAllowance (OHA)willNOT be paid toanunaccompaniedmilitaryservice member alreadydrawingBasic HousingAllowance (BAH)for familymembers back in CONUS locations.Thispolicyappliesto ALLranks, includingsenior enlistedandofficerson unaccompaniedtours toOkinawa,whoarenot subject to themandatoryBachelorQuarter assignmentpolicydiscussedabove.Formore information orto view this PolicyLetter,pleasego to theWelcomeAboard Package at the “HousingandPets”tab.

DualServiceMembersand Housing/Billeting

Beforedepartingto Okinawa,dualservice members must check with theirnewcommandand the housingoffice regardingpolicies that couldaffectthem.Thesepoliciescanvarydependingon their branchofservice, but thefollowing arethemost commonissues:

  • Ifboth servicemembersareon 24 months unaccompaniedtours, theydo not ratefamilyhousingandwillberequired tolive at theBOQ/BEQ.Per MCIPACLetter12-14,iftheydesireto livetogether,theymustrequestauthorizationtoreside off-base,establisha jointhouseholdandreceive Overseas HousingAllowanceat the Own-Rate per Joint Travel Regulations.
  • Dual militaryservice members should contact their command,sponsor, or theKadena HousingOffice to obtainadditionalinformationbefore headingto Okinawa.
  • Ifboth service membersareon 36 months accompanied tours,they

will not rateTLA if theyarriveatdifferenttimes without a dependent.Therefore, the servicememberthat arrives first must stayatBOQ/BEQ andreport tothe housingoffice to receive informationaboutstartingthe housingprocessbefore his/her spousearrives.

  • Inaddition,dualactivedutyservicemembersmusthaveaccompanied orders torequestGovernmentfurniture.

Gettingready toship your household goods?Visit60-90days beforedeparture to beginyourself-counseling on DPS.

Household Goods(HHG)WeightRestrictions

Okinawais a weightrestrictedlocation.Please notethe following when preparingtoshipyourhouseholdgoods.

  • AccompaniedMarinesareentitled to 2,500 pounds (net) or 25 %(net) ofthe Joint TravelRegulations (JTR) weightallowance;whichever isgreater,whichalsoincludesyourUnaccompaniedBaggage (UB) shipment.
  • Unaccompanied Service Membersare entitledto 10%of their JTRallowance or approximately600lbs.
  • Neitherthe DistributionManagementOffice (DMO)nor thecarriersareresponsiblefor stayingwithin this allowance.If a service memberexceeds his/her allowance, the service member must payall chargesconnectedwith the excessweight.
  • ImportantNoteforNavyPersonnel:NavyPersonnelshouldcheck theirordersforweightallowanceanddirectanyquestionstotheircommand.
  • For anyexceptionsregardingthis policy,contactor visit the nearestDMO Office.

Effective 1April 2016, the schedulingof all inbound and outbound householdshipments to andfromOkinawa will be handledthroughYokosuka. DMOpersonnelforesee thepotential fordelays dueto misroutingforinbound householdgoods if theproper(new) routingcodes forOkinawaarenot usedwhen originallysettingup and processing the shipments.

In addition,after 1 April 2016, the OkinawaDMO will stillcoordinatemostDMOservices locally except forthe booking of inboundandoutboundshipments.

For any questions or concerns, pleasecontactMCBButlerDMOPersonnel atorDSN:315-645-0922.

Location / USMC
Accompanied / USMC
Unaccompanied / USNattachedtoUSMCUnit / USNattachedtoUSNUnit
Okinawa / 2,500or25%ofJTRWeightAllowancewhicheveris
greater. / Approximately600lbs.or10%ofJTRWeightAllowancewhicheveris
greater / SameasweightallowancesasUSMCmembers / BothAccompanied
UnaccompaniedmembersallowedtobringfullJTRweightallowance.

Furnishings

  • AccompaniedMarinesand AccompaniedSailorsattached to USMCunits-furnitureandappliances will beprovided for accompaniedservicemembersfor thedurationof their tour.Informationabout the itemsprovidedbythe furnishingsmanagementoffice can be foundat:
  • Accompanied Sailors attached to USN units-eligible to borrow temporarygovernment furniturefor amaximum of 90 days afterarrivingin Okinawa.Schedulingfor temporaryfurniturecan be arranged through the KadenaHousingOffice.
  • UnaccompaniedMarinesServiceMembers- bachelorand unaccompaniedenlisted militaryservicemembers should not ship their householdgoods toOkinawa. Thereis no space at the bachelor quarters to accommodatefurniture.If memberis provided aCertificate of Non-Availabilityfrom thebilletingoffice (BEQ/BOQ)andgiven thepermission to reside off-base, themembercan lookforoff-basehousingthat is alreadyfurnished. For moreinformation,please call the HousingManagementOfficeat DSN (315) 634-0582/0583.