If you have recently received orders to Okinawa, you can find answers to your questions about moving to the island on the pages to the above.

Perhaps the most unique characteristic about Okinawa is that unlike most duty stations, MCB Camp Butler is physically separated throughout the island into a number of different camps. All the Marine Corps camps on the island and Camp Fuji on mainland Japan, fall under the one title, MCB Camp Butler.

Despite the camps' physical isolation from each other, convenient services and facilities make them all virtually a mini-base of their own. Except Camp Gonsalves, each has an exchange outlet, ample concessions, clubs, a USO facility, library, bowling alley, theater, gymnasium, chapel, bank, post office, dining facilities and cash sales outlet.

While each camp certainly offers numerous conveniences, some Marines and their families may want to explore bases beyond their work or home. Perhaps the easiest way to get from camp to camp is through the no fee THE GREEN LINE, which runs 7 days a week.

On the more unique aspect of working here, Okinawa encourages a strong blend of interservice harmony. Soldiers are assigned to several commands here, including Torii Station and Fort Buckner. In addition to 7th Fleet obligations, many Sailors work with Marine units at White Beach and Camp Shields; and thousands of airmen work at Kadena Air Base. If you were living on-base, it wouldn't be at all unusual if the neighbor on your left were a Sailor, the one on your right a Soldier and the one behind you an Airman.

Whether you only spend six months here as part of the Unit Deployment Program, or three years here on an accompanied tour, you will soon learn to appreciate and take advantage of this unique, mixed service environment, as you quickly begin to understand the unusual distinction of serving at the "tip of the spear."