okinawa??

[brucehm]

anybody that are thinking about okinawa for orders. ill be helpful and answe your questions. im at the hospital but know a little about greenside

[Poolzer]

I was stationed at the hospital from 97-99, 1st duty station and loved it. Worked in the ER for a year then was part of the team that designed the firehouse ems program. I got the honor of bringing Futema online and set their program up. Also designed an ems run report...always been curious if its still in use...

[8404]

I was in Okinawa 1974 and loved those $5.00 steam baths and massage. I'd guess they cost a lot more now.

Food was always good, liquor was our preference as the beer was not to our liking.

I had heard Japan has poured a lot of money into Okinawa in an attempt to make a tourist stop.

The open sewer system is what got me.

[brucehm]

yeah those steam bath and massasge 5000 yen. i dont care fo rbeer either they lowered the drinking age to 20 last year. i dont know much about that ems

[KentuckyBoy]

What is 3rd Med. Bat. like? I report there at the end of June. I REALLY don't want to be stuck in a hospital or in Iraq in the rear in a tent receiving casualties. I would much rather be on the front lines. Do you think I would be able to volunteer to go out or am I pretty much stuck with what I have?

[Da-Chief]

Kentucky,
You won't be on the front lines with Med BAT.. Sorry your now with "GROUP" or what ever they call it this week. This is not to say you won't be in the "SHIT" as Group covers a lot of missions as well..

Get involved with your Chain of command when you get there.. Learn your job first then move on..

Good Luck!

HMC

[Justhafax]

Last I checked, there were about 70 or so annual exercises in the Western Pacific; most supported by Okinawa forces on some level. So what that means for you is that there are plenty of opportunities to deploy from Okinawa. Various commands are always sniffing around to find docs to augment billets for these exercises. If you volunteer and your command has trust that you can deploy and do a good job, and represent your home unit well, you'll probably get to do a lot of cool stuff.

Cool spots to hang out/visit in Okinawa

1. Koksai dori in Naha (Okinawa's version of Waikiki without the sand). Big tourist zone, but very cool vibe.

2. Ie ke jima. This small island has a cool civilian recreation area great for snorkleing and just hanging out with locals and tourists. At the far side of the island is a resort hotel and a mini-race car track. Good reef fishing spot too if you are into fishing.

3. Okuma Beach. It is a bit of a drive, but worth it. Great camping, and all water sports too. There are some cool mom & pop pubs/restaurants on the road outside the compound. These places are very cool spots to hang out and chat things up with locals and tourists.

4. Sunabe Sea Wall. This is Okinawa's version of "Surf City." Very unique vibe. Everybody super laid back and friendly. Great spot to watch guys get pummeled into the reef break when the swells come in. Top diving and snorkling spot too. Food is some of the best around.

In my opinion, Okinawa is the best large duty assignment out there for docs. As long as you are not prone to island fever and don't mind experiences a VERY different culture, you'll love it.

But ....

Now, for junior enlisted, there are a number of restrictions on your freedoms. You can thank the ding-dongs who came before you for messing that up ... and an officer corps that walks on egg shells and no longer trusts their enlisted folk. But you can whine about the regs on Okinawa, or work through them creatively and carfully ... you'll still have a great tour.

[DeeDee]

Sounds like a fun place to visit

DeeDee

[Sgt Rock Doc]

Okinawa, like any duty station, is what you make it. I'm a Plank Owner of the Naval Hospital and opened the Psych Unit (3-South). Had a fantastic time at the Hospital and just about everywhere on the Rock. This was 1976-79. Picked up HM1 and was fortunate to get orders to the Naha Dispensary (was Air Force and then Navy staffed it) and it just happened that I lived on base (best married housing-then-on The Rock). I think that the U.S. Government returned the base to the JSDF shortly after we left. Second tour, 1989-90, was with 3MARDIV at the BAS, Camp Courtney, managed a little "tour" of Iwo Jima and parts of Korea (Pohang to Seoul area). Bottom line: get out and try a little of everything. If you hear of a float or anything that gives you more experience, jump on it. Be a self-starter, know your limitations and don't be afraid to ask questions. Okinawa is a great place! "The Rock of Japan Rocks On!" Rock Doc

[Justhafax]

Oh yeah ... speaking of rock, the Rock, and rocking on and all that ...

Each summer, I think it is right around July 4th weekend, there is a really cool music festival in Okinawa City. It is held in the middle of a bullfighting ring. It holds about 5,000 people or so and is located right outside Kadena Gate 4, near the high school. Anyhow, this is a three day festival with all kinds of great acts ... most are local bands, but they manage a few American acts (usually) and a few from maniland Japan come out too. It is like the Woodstock of Okinawa. This festival was called Peaceful Love Rock Festival. They may have changed up the name, not sure. But if you get a chance to go, it is well worth the $50 or $60 tickets for the weekend.

And in mainland, there is the very famous Fuji Fest. Now that always has great big name bands from USA too. But if you were on Okinawa, you'd have to grab an interisland air shuttle or catch a military flight from Kadena to Yokota (that should be very easy to do, assuming your comand will give you a liberty chit to go off island, etc).

And in the small town of Fussa, a few blocks right outside Yokota Air Base, there is a small club with a stage and good sound board where a lot of good bands come and play. This is what they call "live house" in Japan. Anyhow, the one in Fussa is called the Chicken Shack.

I heard a rumor that the clubs in Fussa were recently designated "off limits" so I can't tell you if those places are still in business.


So, rock on if you're on the rock.

[Poolzer]

brucehm

I am curious about the ems run report that the hospital and fire dept uses (basically if its the one I made a decade ago). Can you check that out for me?

[8404/8483]

i was with 3rd med battailion in 97 as an 8483... cool place man i wish i could go back as a civi !!!

i have foggy memories of kintown... the "hook and jab" eclub, long rides home on the loser cruzer.

i think i have ptsd from all the marines that use to tell me to tuck in my shirt and cut my hair. :)

[Kaymanism]

Is there ANY chance of getting Okinawa if you are married? My wife isnt coming with me ANYWHERE I go so its not like I am asking to bring my family etc. Whats the naval policy on this?

[8404]

In 1974 and with Marine Infantry, Okinawa was considered an unaccompanied tour, (cannot bring wife). At that time, I believe the Air Force were the only ones who can bring their wives and children. They were at Kadena Air Force base.

This may have changed by now.

[Poolzer]

That changed long ago 8404. All services can bring their families, there are DOD schools and you can live off base.

[8404]

That is fantastic! Although I wasn't married then, there were quite a few who were and could have benefited from that.

That is great news.