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Welcome to Okinawa!
Okinawa is located approximately 300 miles south of mainland Japan. Okinawa is home to Marine Corps Base, Camp Smedley. D. Butler (MCB Camp Butler), which includes Camp Kinser, Camp Foster, Camp Courtney, Camp Hansen, Camp Schwab, and Camp Gonsalves. Okinawa is also home to Marine Corps Air Station Futenma and four USMC major subordinate commands — III Marine Expeditionary Force, 3d Marine Logistics Group, 3d Marine Division and 1st Marine Aircraft Wing. Navy presence on Okinawa includes Commander Fleet Activities, Okinawa with its tenant commands and the U.S. Naval Hospital Okinawa on Camp Foster. Naval facilities are physically located throughout Okinawa (on Kadena Air Base, Camp Shields and White Beach Naval Facility). There is also a significant Air Force and Army presence on Okinawa located at Kadena Air Base and Torii Station.
Please read the Joint Reception Center (JRC) Welcome Aboard Letter for ALL E-5 and below unaccompanied Marines and Sailors assigned to Marine units arriving on Okinawa.
The MCB Camp Butler Newcomers' Information Booklet contains valuable information on topics such as the installation overview, must know items, housing, commissary, exchange, transportation, education, employment, medical and dental, survival tips, local community, pets, youth, teens and much more.
The Okinawa “Must Know Information” is broken down into 5 Sections. (Updated June 24, 2016)Section 1 is the Pre-Arrival information contains information on the Relocation Services Office email and phone contact information, unaccompanied service members coming to Okinawa, information on Military ID cards, Passports and SOFA Passport Re-entry stamps, the MCCS Electronic Welcome Aboard Package, Overseas Suitability Screening and Area Clearances/Dependent Entry Approval, the Exceptional Family Member Program (EFMP) and not bringing any firearms, weapons or ammunitions into Japan.Section 2 contains information on Pets to include the Pet Importation Process, Flying with Pets, the banned dog breeds on military installations and Pets and Military Family Housing. Section 3 contains information on Housing/Household Goods. The information contained in this section in include the mandated live on-base Military Family Housing (MFH) for Accompanied Personnel policy, the information on the Mandatory Bachelor Quarters policy, information on Dual Service Members and Housing/Billeting, Household Goods (HHG) Weight Restrictions and policy concerning furniture and furnishings both accompanied and unaccompanied Marines.Section 4 briefly covers Entitlements for incoming service members and their families. This includes IPAC Check-in process and Entitlements along with the policy and procedure for requesting Delayed Family Member Travel for USMC Service Members.Section 5 covers the Arrival and Check-in Information. Information in this section covers the Newcomer’s Orientation Welcome Aboard Brief, the Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA) privately-owned vehicle driver’s License, registering for the Defense Biometric Identification System (DBIDS), cell phone contracts and the mandated Child Supervision Guidelines.
Visit our Relocation Services Webpage to sign up for our workshops, find out about our locations and hours of operation, get information on moving with our Smooth Move Toolkit and find out more information on being a sponsor with our Sponsor Toolkit.
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Driving and Transportation
Don’t know where the swimming pool is located on Camp Foster? Take a look at the maps of the Marine Corps installations situated on the beautiful island of Okinawa, Japan to find out locations and hours of operations for most facilities.
The MCB Butler Handbook 5100 is the Driver’s Manual that covers the common elements of Japanese traffic regulations for Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA) sponsored personnel.
Understanding Japanese Road Signs is an important part of driving in Japan and is testable as part of the SOFA Driver’s License written exam. Please take the time to become familiar with them.
The Green Line webpage contains information and policies on The Green Line, along with the timetables and schedules on Camp to Camp Express Service and the internal camp shuttles.
The Bus Map Okinawa webpage contains detailed information on all Okinawa and outer island bus terminals and companies, current bus routes and timetables, how to take the bus and fare information. It also provides information on the Okinawa Monorail system.
The What To Do If You Are In a Traffic Accident brochure contains useful phone numbers, instructions on what to do if you are involved in an accident or injured, reporting accidents and much more.
Safe Driving in Japan provides information you need to know to be a safer and better driver in Japan.
This pamphlet contains information on obtaining the SOFA Privately Owned Vehicle Driver’s License to include licensing section hours of operation, requirements on licensing, renewal and learner permits.
The Joint Services Vehicle Registration Office webpage provides information on vehicle registration, inspection, and safety standards in accordance with Japanese laws, U.S. Forces Japan Instructions, and Marine Corps Installations Pacific Orders.
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On Base Helpful Links
The Okinawa Base Information link provides information on other MCCS/USMC Installations, Okinawa Military Services, how to direct dial on-base phones from a cell or off-base phone, information on The Green Line and off base buses, USMC on Okinawa along with other military links.
Essential Relocation Web Sites
Essential relocation websites have extensive information on relocation. The Military Installations application allows you to research important information on DoD installation military installations. The Military OneSource webpage is a central hub and go-to-place for the military community. Find out more about benefits and helpful steps to take when preparing for the big stuff – deployments, reintegration, moves, parenthood, retirement, managing finances, and much more.Move.mil is the official Defense Personal Property System webpage used by Service Members to manage their household goods movements.
Major Commands
There are several major commands on Okinawa to include Marine Corps Base, Camp Smedley. D. Butler, III Marine Expeditionary Force (III MEF), 3d Marine Logistics Group (3d MLG), 3d Marine Division (3d MARDIV), 1st Marine Air Wing (1 MAW), 1st Marine Aircraft Wing (1st MAW), Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) Futenma, U.S. Navy Fleet Activities Okinawa (CFAO), and the U.S. Naval Hospital Okinawa.
Shopping
Please visit the Exchange and Commissary webpages for more information regarding on-base shopping on Okinawa.
Pay Information
The Defense Finance and Accounting Service (DFAS) provides payment services and support for the DoD to include the MyPay website and paying all DoD military and civilian personnel, retirees and annuitants, as well as DoD contractors and vendors.
Newspapers and current news
Pacific Stars and Stripes and the Japan Update are newspapers that provide a look into on and off-base life on Japan and on Okinawa.
MCIPAC Public Affairs Office provides news and current events involving Marines on Okinawa.
MCCS Publications
Okinawa Living Magazine and Okinawa Living Weekly have articles that cover a wide spectrum of topics, including life on Okinawa, indoor and outdoor recreation, tours and exotic destinations, special events, children’s activities and sporting events.
The Okinawa Guide is a comprehensive annual publication with essential information about both on- and off-base programs, services, and activities including helpful tips on driving, phone use, local customs, dining, shopping, recreation, and more.
For your FREE copy of these publications, attend the Newcomer's Orientation or stop by MCCS Marketing on Camp Foster.
Housing
MCIPAC Policy Letter 12-14 covers the assignment of dual service couples (military member married to another military member) to Military Family Housing.
Okinawa Military Family Housing Office webpage has information on Military Family Housing, Housing Management Office hours of operations and, locations, Housing Assignment Application forms and pictures of military family housing on Okinawa.
MCIPAC/MCB Butler Policy Letter 10-15 directs a mandatory assignment to Bachelor Housing for unaccompanied Marines and attached Navy personnel in Japan for E-7 and below, W-1 through W-3 and O-1 through O-3 personnel.
Administrative Weight Restrictions (MCO P4600.39, Paragraph 2206, Page 2-10) are in place for Okinawa. Please see the linked reference for more information.
Pet Information contains a summary of procedures, policies and links for dog and cat pet entry/importation into Japan.
Japan Pet Importation Requirements is a link to the Government of Japan website containing Japanese laws and regulations, quarantine requirements and procedures for importing pets from designated and other regions.
U.S. Army, Japan Veterinary Service provides command and control of all veterinary elements in support of U.S. Forces, Japan. Their webpage provides a wide spectrum of pet information, to include, installation policies, pet importation information, traveling with pets, required documents and much more.
The U.S. Department of State webpage on Pets and International Travel provides pet shipment checklists, airline pet polices, certification requirements and much more.
The U.S Department of Agriculture webpage provides information on traveling with pets to include basic information on exporting and importing pets.
Marine and Family Programs - Resources
Marine and Family Programs - Resources provides a wide range of services designed to assist you in maintaining a high state of personal and professional readiness. Our goal is to ensure that you are prepared. Marine and Family Programs - Resources is NOT just for Families! We serve single and married Marine/Sailors, family members, military retirees, DoD civilians, widows and widowers. The Marine and Family Programs - Resources provides:
Information and Referral and Relocation Services webpages provide access to the Information and Referral Database, help for foreign born spouses, retirees, widows and widowers, pre and post-move assistance, Military OneSource, base and community information, Loan Locker, Sponsorship Training, Newcomer's Orientation, and Smooth Move Workshops.Email: Reloassist@okinawa.usmc-mccs.org Commercial Phone: 011-81-611-745-8395Commercial Fax: 011-81-611-745-7229DSN: 645-8395DSN Fax: 645-7229
Personal Financial Management webpage contains a wide variety of resources and information to include dates, times and location and how to sign-up for upcoming personal financial workshops, financial calculators, Consumer Awareness, Financial Planning, Housing and much more.
Employment Assistance Job listings, referrals for all family members, resume assistance, interviewing, employment workshops, transition assistance, and the pre-retirement workshop.
Marine and Family Programs - ResourcesMCCS, MCB Camp Butler Unit 35026FPO AP 96373-5026
Welcome Aboard Videos
MCCSTV Youtube
MCCSTV Playlists feature Community Connections, Quick Hits, TV Spots, Hai Sai, and many more great videos about MCCS offerings and Okinawan culture.
Okinawa Living magazine and Okinawa Living Weekly have articles that cover a wide spectrum of topics, including life on Okinawa, indoor and outdoor recreation, tours and exotic destinations, special events, children’s activities and sporting events.
The Okinawa Guide has great tips on driving, phone use, local customs, dining, shopping, recreational activities, maps and much more.
Pick up your copy of The Best of Okinawa Living Book at any Exchange Bookmark and select locations island wide.
What's Happening at MCCS
Photos from Okinawa Living
Newcomers' Orientation
Sign-up for Newcomers' Orientation
Start your tour off right. Okinawa is a wonderful duty station and great place live for the entire family. Learn about this beautiful island and all the opportunities you can take advantage of during your tour. Meet and listen to representatives from a multitude of service organizations and learn about the customs and culture of Okinawa and about your responsibilities as a member of the military community. There is a Youth & Teen Tour designed for family members' ages 10-18 years old that your child will not want to miss.Newcomers' Orientation Welcome Aboard (NOWA) is mandatory for all accompanied (all ranks) USMC and USN Service Members, civilian employees, family members (military and civilian) age 10 and up, and all unaccompanied USMC and USN (E-6 and above) and civilian (all grades). New arrivals are required to attend NOWA within 2 weeks of arrival.E-5 and below (unaccompanied) will attend the Joint Reception Center (JRC) brief. Please call 645-5395 for more information regarding JRC.**NOWA is mandatory per MCO 1320.11F and III MEF/MCIPAC Order 1754.1. **Attendance at NOWA must be confirmed prior to MCB Safety Office issuing SOFA Privately Owned Vehicle (POV) Driver's License in accordance with MCIPAC Order 5560.1.**Completion of NOWA is also required before any Service Member is granted off-installation leave or liberty in Japan as per III MEF/MCIPAC Letter dated 26 Nov 2014. NOWA is offered every Wednesday from 7:15 AM until 4:00 PM. Sponsors can call the following numbers: Kinser 637-2815; Foster 645-2104/8395; Courtney 622-7332; Hansen 623-4522/4860; Schwab 625-2622 or click here to register both the active duty member and family members after the final flight information is received. Transportation is available from the Westpac, Hamagawa and Eagle Lodges. The sponsor must request transportation at the time of NOWA registration.Please contact MCB Base Safety Office at 645-3183/2862 to inquire about taking the SOFA POV Licensing exam prior to attending NOWA. Orders, approved Area Clearance message, and a valid stateside driver's license are required to obtain a SOFA POV Driver's License. Civilian personnel must check with MCB Base Safety for any other specific requirements.Childcare is provided (free of charge) by the MCCS Child and Youth Program (CYP) on a limited space-available basis and must be reserved in advance. Note: Infant Care space is extremely limited. Sponsors should call the CYP Resource & Referral Office at 645-4117 for reservations prior to the newcomer's arrival. 1-2 days prior to attending NOWA, the inbound family must complete the required paperwork and turn it in at the CYP Resource and Referral Office, which is located at Camp Foster in Building 495. Once this process is completed, the child can be dropped off at the Child Development Care/School Age Care Center/Family Care Provider the morning of NOWA. Parents also have the option of attending NOWA at different dates, so one of them can watch their child(ren) while the other is attending NOWA. Newcomers should also bring extra copies of the Service Member's orders and copies of the Area Clearance/Dependent Entry Approval for Tricare re-enrollment. If the newcomer does not have these documents, they can re-enroll by going to the Tricare Office located at the U.S. Naval Hospital Okinawa at a later date.
Schools and Childcare
The MCB Camp Butler School Liaison Office assists Service Members and their families as an advocate and conduit to the school systems.
MCCS Child and Youth Programs (CYP) provides a wide spectrum of services and support for military youth to include child care and youth and teen centers. Please visit the CYP webpage to find out the locations, hours of operation and contact numbers for the CYP facilities on Camps Foster, Kinser, Courtney and McTureous.
To find out more about registering for child care or the youth and teen program, or to learn more about getting certified as a baby sitter please visit the CYP Downloads Webpage.
The MCCS Youth and Teen Program provide a variety of activities and programs for children in kindergarten through 12th grade.
Sponsoring a family with children? Please take a look at the sample Youth Sponsorship letter designed to provide children more information about what Okinawa has to offer.
Please visit the Exceptional Family Member Program (EFMP) webpage to find out about events and workshops, enrollment information, view videos designed to help EFMP families and to request an appointment.
Sponsorship Forms and Information
Are you assigned as a sponsor and not sure what you need to do to be a good sponsor? Marine and Family Programs – Resources provides Sponsorship Training weekly at different camps. Sign-up today for a Sponsorship Training class through the Marine and Family Programs webpage.
The III MEF/MCIPAC Order 1754.1 provides guidance and policy on the Personnel Sponsorship Program in support of Service Members assigned to Marine units in Japan.
The Sponsorship Checklist provides an itemized list of items for sponsors to keep track of items they need to do in order to be a GREAT sponsor.
Are you coming to Okinawa and need a sponsor? Fill out a Sponsorship Request Form (NAVMC 11799) and send it to our Relocation Assistance email address: reloassist@okinawa.usmc-mccs.org. We will forward your request to your Unit Sponsorship Coordinator (USC) so they can assign you a sponsor.
Travel and Arrival Information
If arriving at the Naha Airport Domestic Terminal, please take a look the photos and information to familiarize yourself about Naha Airport.
Many Service Members and their families arrive on Okinawa via the “Patriot Express” which arrives at the Air Mobility Command (AMC) Terminal at Kadena Air Base.
Travelers Tips contains information on the TSA screening process, 3-1-1 for carry-ons, permitted and prohibited items and much more.
III MEF/MCIPAC Order 7220.1 contains information on policies regarding Temporary Living Allowance (TLA) and family housing for Marine commands on Okinawa.
The TLA brochure contains local area information on TLA to include Installation Personnel Administration Center (IPAC) contact numbers and governing policies on when TLA is authorized.
The Westpac Lodging webpage contains general information and amenities provided at the Westpac. There is also information on the other MCCS lodges on Okinawa, along with hours of operations and other associated links.