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RocketCutlass
02-02-11, 04:24 PM
Any advice for a 25 year old PFC headed to Okinawa? I'm at FMS school here at Camp Johnson and I graduate in march. From what I hear I'm going to be frustrated with the moron teenagers there, so it probably won't be that much different then Johnson. But, any advice and/or tips would be appreciated. One question I have is about my phone, I have an iPhone 4 with skype, would it be a good idea to take it with me?

SGT7477
02-02-11, 07:37 PM
Get use to being called an Okinawan Cherry Boy,lol, my best diuy station by far, let the good times roll, Semper Fidelis.

sparkie
02-02-11, 08:28 PM
When you meet the 'Coe' sisters,,, make sure to shower with rubbing alcohol. Saved my azz.

Switchfire6
02-02-11, 08:55 PM
Im sorry... I will soon leave this rock

thewookie
02-02-11, 10:06 PM
Im sorry... I will soon leave this rock

Didn't like it, huh. Like any duty station, it does get to you after a while.

But overall I would have to admit that I had a blast in Oki, both tours -- but it's not for everyone. I took it as a chance to find out something about a place with tons of history that I would never go to as a civilian without paying mad loot. I did a lot of scuba diving -- hundreds of dives, I spent a lot of time doing tours of the island, did some searching in old caves, lots of hiking and mountain biking. I still did plenty of clubbing in Kadena when we were allowed to socialize with chicks from other branches, but basically I took every libo opportunity as a chance to learn something new.

Of course I drank my brains out, got in a little trouble, but overall it was a lot of fun and now I wish I took more pictures/video.

Oki is what you make it, then again life is.

I would recommend that you get out as much as you can, take advantage of the USO tours and freebies - just don't sit around drinking beers from the beer machine in the barracks -- you can do that anywhere.

Have fun, be safe, stay out of trouble, and don't be the ugly American.

Hamelink83
02-02-11, 10:25 PM
Who are your orders to? I like Oki, but it does tend to suck some as your kept on a pretty short leash. Your iPhone is basically an iPod touch over here, it doesn't work on the Japanese networks. Softbank (japanese at&t) offers iPhone service. If you have any specific questions, drop me a line and I'll do my best to help.

RocketCutlass
02-03-11, 10:10 AM
Thanks for all the responses, I have no clue where I'm assigned to, my instructor just told us where we were headed to after this place. As soon as I get more details I'll post them up.

Apache
02-03-11, 12:12 PM
WOW Good times
leave your phone at home

Marine3451
02-03-11, 12:48 PM
You a 32 or a 51. I know a couple 51's I went to school with that went to oki. A couple of them got sent on 6 month tours to south korea

RocketCutlass
02-03-11, 12:59 PM
I'm a 32.

lonewolf121
02-03-11, 01:05 PM
Any advice for a 25 year old PFC headed to Okinawa? I'm at FMS school here at Camp Johnson and I graduate in march. From what I hear I'm going to be frustrated with the moron teenagers there, so it probably won't be that much different then Johnson. But, any advice and/or tips would be appreciated. One question I have is about my phone, I have an iPhone 4 with skype, would it be a good idea to take it with me?


First thing to do is go finish filling in your profile. FMS is financial right? Not sure because I don't know your MOS #, anyway. I would venture to guess that you will be stationed on Camp Kinser or Camp Foster; unless you get assigned to a specific unit. These two bases are right where the action is. Good and bad.

My advice is to get a good camera and take as many pictures as you can. Take the base to base buses to each of the other bases they all have an interesting niche about them. Don't wait for an invitation to go up to Okuma, it's our R&R spot and it's really awesome. When you get to the rock invest in a set of flippers and snorkel; DO NOT forgo getting the dive gloves and dive booties, unless you enjoy tiny bits of this and that growing under your skin. See if you can find someone who's short who is looking to get rid of theirs.

For good eats, the USO, on Camp Schwab, has (had?) the BEST Philly cheese steak hoggy on the planet. If you want a good steak go to Jack's place of Kadena Airforce base; may still be there. Find out where Dragons is outside of Camp Foster for an amazing Yakisoba and other great food.

That's all I have for now.

Semper Fi!

Marine3451
02-03-11, 01:05 PM
Well the only 32 I knew from oki was in mongolia with me and he was so weird that the local women didnt want to touch him. Just goes to show even Mongolians hate gingers.

RocketCutlass
02-03-11, 01:34 PM
Lmao, poor guy. Well I filled out my profile info, sorry about that. Thanks lonewolf for all the tips. I definitely want to get into diving. That sounds like a lot of fun.

mcvet57103
02-03-11, 04:38 PM
Koza, BC street, Kinville, massages, hookers, Nay-sans, Mamma-sans, lizards on the ceiling of the barracks, Shuri Castle, The Japanese Botanical Gardens. Like someone earlier said, buy a camera and take tons of pictures/photographic memories. Mojo on a street corner when you're broke before payday. Aw the memories.

One thing I would recommend. Buy a car while you are there. One you can go to a dealership back in the states and pick up. I wasted my time/money buying cheap stereo equipment. Wish I had done the car thing instead. SF

ggyoung
02-03-11, 06:08 PM
When I was there in 65 it depended on the fleet. If the fleet was not in everything was cheap. When the fleet was in the price went up to $20.00.

HOWARDROARK3043
02-03-11, 06:29 PM
those places that look like casino's are not------------so dont go in ----all you win are stuffed animals--------------------------I MEAN STUFFED ANIMALS ARE YOU SERIOUS --------

lonewolf121
02-03-11, 06:51 PM
Koza, BC street, Kinville, massages, hookers, Nay-sans, Mamma-sans, lizards on the ceiling of the barracks, Shuri Castle, The Japanese Botanical Gardens. Like someone earlier said, buy a camera and take tons of pictures/photographic memories. Mojo on a street corner when you're broke before payday. Aw the memories.

One thing I would recommend. Buy a car while you are there. One you can go to a dealership back in the states and pick up. I wasted my time/money buying cheap stereo equipment. Wish I had done the car thing instead. SF

I thought about posting something about this, thanks MCVet! In 95-98 you couldn't drive except for three things, you were married and your wife/kids were there too, you were an NCO or higher or you were the duty driver. You have to get a special license because everything is on the other side i.e. cars on the left side, steering wheel, windshield wiper switch and you are in a foreign country and need to know their laws. It may have changed. If I were you I'd jump at the first opportunity to become duty driver; because then you can go rent a car on the cheap, or buy a cheap car and go get completely lost. Those are the best times. Plus you'll be able to take advantage of more things like going up to Okuma without having to beg for a ride. Side note...I always got a kick out of the stick shift being on my left side; but then again I'm a southpaw! :cool:

lonewolf121
02-03-11, 06:58 PM
I don't know if Oki cars are even legal over here because of the English style setup now; but I know of quite a few Marines that ordered their Harleys over there, for them to pick up stateside. For some reason, may have just been scuttlebutt, the imported from America Harleys were cheaper to buy there.

0351Griggs
02-03-11, 07:51 PM
It's a miserable place. It will be what you make of it.

Go to the Naval or Air force bases. (Clean women and more women in general)

You will go to Korea most likely. Bring extra winter gear. Hand warmers are a huge life saver. I highly recommend the tour of the DMZ. It's very interesting and is the trippiest place on the planet I assure you. You can also cross into N. Korea in one of the meeting rooms w/o creating an incedent. I went around the table just so I could say I did it.

Take advantage of the recreational opportunities on base. We had a band w/rented insruments, amps etc. You can rent dirt bikes ect. There's tons of stuff to do.

Go ahead and explore the Rock and Roll bars and whatever else just outside the gates. I would suggest finding other places to get a drink though. There's a lot of trouble to get caught up in outside the gates. Not to mention you might wake up one morning ****ing bullets from a night of "Love you long time"

sparkie
02-03-11, 08:01 PM
And of course,,,, Dom't eat the bananna.

SGT7477
02-03-11, 09:41 PM
Or the boiled egg,lol,Semper Fidelis.

RocketCutlass
02-03-11, 10:04 PM
You guys are making me not wanna eat anything lol.

lonewolf121
02-03-11, 10:23 PM
And of course,,,, Dom't eat the bananna.

Holy Smokes!! I saw this while I was there...I saw a couple of really drunk fellas that were able to stomach it. Gives me shivers to this day. :D

Tennessee Top
02-04-11, 12:17 AM
The USO centers are outstanding places to hang out (great yakisoba and air conditioning). Both tours I spent on the rock the University of Maryland offered classes there (Camp Foster). Don't know if the Four Seasons restaraunt is still around but we used to go there for a kobi beef dinner. Thursday nights at the enlisted club on the Kadena AFB was mongolian BBQ night. I did order a car from one of the US car manufacturers and it was waiting for me at my next stateside duty station (was able to make payments on it while still on OKI so by the time I picked it up it was half paid for). Remember watching Armed Forces TV (Benson, The Jeffersons, Sanford and Son, All In The Family, Happy Days, MASH, and Barney Miller were my favorites then). Typhoons were pretty scarey but it normally meant you got to stay in the barracks all day. My second tour I did go to South Korea for Operation Team Spirit (it was in the winter time and it's the coldest I've been in my life!). Got to try some kimchi but didn't care for it.

0351Griggs
02-04-11, 09:23 AM
How could I forget about the banana! Prolly because "not eating it" is the obvious choice.

If you want to buy a car? Save your cash till you get back to the states. California has strict smog regulations and the car you get over there won't pass for instance.

Go to Edmunds.com if you want to learn how to get the best deal on a vehicle. You can do as well or even better following their guide lines.

Now...You didn't hear this from me but....A lot of Marines blow all their cash in a few days. Being "a lender" of cash is good money...$20 for $40 is the going rate. Also, when / if you go to Korea? You'll be in the field for nearly 3 weeks. Bring along a few cartons of smokes to sell to your fellow Marines. They will be out in no time and you'll have the corner on the market...

But you didn't hear it from me :bunny:

RocketCutlass
02-04-11, 11:08 AM
CLR-37 3RD MLG. Just found out today. As for the car situation, got one already. I was in the automotive industry for quite some time before I enlisted so I know all about that. Thanks again for all the info. Now what kind of info can you all give me on CLR-37 3RD MLG?

thewookie
02-04-11, 11:25 AM
The banana isn't that bad, just ask mama-san for some chocolate sauce...:banana:

lonewolf121
02-04-11, 11:51 AM
CLR-37 3RD MLG. Just found out today. As for the car situation, got one already. I was in the automotive industry for quite some time before I enlisted so I know all about that. Thanks again for all the info. Now what kind of info can you all give me on CLR-37 3RD MLG?

Here's some cool stuff:

http://www.marines.mil/unit/3rdlogistics/Pages/default.aspx

thewookie
02-04-11, 12:10 PM
Here's some cool stuff:

http://www.marines.mil/unit/3rdlogistics/Pages/default.aspx

That Sgt. Major doesn't look like a guy that I'd like to pi ss off.

He's got a Bronze star, too -- I'd like to read that citation.

:usmc:

RocketCutlass
02-04-11, 12:19 PM
The regimental sgt. major has the same last name as me lol.

Vandrel
02-04-11, 12:26 PM
If you have any desire to ship a car back from Okinawa when it's time to PCS back, hit me up. I just so happen to specialize in that sorta thing :D

RocketCutlass
02-04-11, 12:29 PM
Will do ;-), I'm guessing your a car guy? Any financial oppurtunities over there as far as mechanical work goes? There are few as good as me with a wrench lol. If your in oki and need work done, I'm the guy.

Marine1955
02-04-11, 12:34 PM
Any advice for a 25 year old PFC headed to Okinawa? I'm at FMS school here at Camp Johnson and I graduate in march. From what I hear I'm going to be frustrated with the moron teenagers there, so it probably won't be that much different then Johnson. But, any advice and/or tips would be appreciated. One question I have is about my phone, I have an iPhone 4 with skype, would it be a good idea to take it with me?


Get use to hearing NEW-BY for awhile and stay away from creep street and hand-job Hanna. if you can go to Naha on the south of the Island it wonderful and full of interesting things to see and do.
I love my time there so make the best of it and what ever you do don't even think about trying too smuggle dope over there. are you'll end up in a Japanese Jail and they aren't very big and fish-heads and rice get old real quick.. and oh by the way


http://i56.tinypic.com/25sn0wh.jpg


NEW-BY !!!! SHORT TIME $1 DOLLAR
HAHAHAHAHAHA

Vandrel
02-04-11, 12:57 PM
Will do ;-), I'm guessing your a car guy? Any financial oppurtunities over there as far as mechanical work goes? There are few as good as me with a wrench lol. If your in oki and need work done, I'm the guy.

Yup, community CEO if you will for the U.S. Nissan Skyline folks. There's a plethora of money making opportunities out there, just have to locate the right salvage yards and make a good POC at the post offices.

Also, Zeroyon.com is the place where you'll want to get in touch with the rest of the SOFA status folks in Oki that are into the car scene.

devilcherrygoo
02-04-11, 09:11 PM
I didn't like it when I was there, but now that I look back,(as I have over the years) it was an amazing place. My advice to you:
*DO NOT STAY IN THE BRIX PLAYING VIDEO GAMES. Go out and enjoy the scenery, the beauty of Oki. Take plenty of pix. Volunteer for the community relations events. Meet Okinawans and make friends. Learn Japanese. Immerse yourself in the culture.
*DO NOT GET DRUNK AND IN TROUBLE. The bad events are the ones that tend to stick out...we've all heard the news of the rapes, the murder of a cab driver, the two US military members that used counterfeit money...etc. DO NOT BE ONE OF THEM.
*Most of all, make it memorable. You may at some point start to get tired of it, as most of us did at one point or another. Just remember, one day, you might miss it and so make the best of it while you are there.
SEMPER FIDELIS DEVIL DOG. Thank you for your service.
Corporal USMC
2001-2005 MALS 36 Camp Futenma Okinawa
MALS 14Cherry Point, NC

P.S. Just say no to Whisper Alley, The Banana Show, and Buy Me Drinkie. Just say no.

tripledog
02-05-11, 07:01 PM
You reckon they still give Honk jobs and massages for 2 bucks?

Vandrel
02-05-11, 07:26 PM
P.S. Just say no to Whisper Alley, The Banana Show, and Buy Me Drinkie. Just say no.

buuuust it's sooooo tempting..... lol

Hell, wait till you get to Cobra Gold and go out on libbo in Pattya