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View Full Version : Anyone here serve at MCAS Iwakuni?



SemperFiParent
06-11-11, 09:45 AM
She hasn't seen any official paperwork yet, but the SNCO at LCpl Andrews MOS school verbally informed her that she is going to be shipped to Iwakuni.

If anyone here spent any time there, I'd appreciate any information you could provide.

Thanks

Carl

Proud father of a United States Marine.

PJones64
06-11-11, 09:52 AM
Why are so many parents "following" their kids around their entire active duty tour in the Corps? Why not let your children tell you what it's like in a certain place?
Where is the fun in living and in serving in the Corps if you know every detail in advance?
This isnt unique with you and i dont mean to imply that it is, but we see it a lot here and it causes me to wonder if parents are not living their lives through their kids, in a real way

Old Marine
06-11-11, 10:17 AM
Google.

SemperFiParent
06-11-11, 10:19 AM
Why are so many parents "following" their kids around their entire active duty tour in the Corps? Why not let your children tell you what it's like in a certain place?
Where is the fun in living and in serving in the Corps if you know every detail in advance?
This isnt unique with you and i dont mean to imply that it is, but we see it a lot here and it causes me to wonder if parents are not living their lives through their kids, in a real way

I'm not trying to live my life through my daughter's service in the Corps?

Nor am I trying to learn every detail.

However, whatever her career in the Corps may turn out to be, she will always be "Daddy's little girl."

So if I'm out of line by wanting to know a little something about a place my daughter is going to that's half a world away, so be it.

Marine1011
06-11-11, 10:19 AM
Or have the child Google it

WXSgt
06-11-11, 11:25 AM
MCAS Iwakuni is a great place to be at. i spent 04-07 there. Iwakuni itself lots of bars and such not too much to do unless you go to kintai area theres a castle and the bridge. aside from that Hiroshima and Miyajima are close both cool places to go to.

SemperFiParent
06-11-11, 11:38 AM
MCAS Iwakuni is a great place to be at. i spent 04-07 there. Iwakuni itself lots of bars and such not too much to do unless you go to kintai area theres a castle and the bridge. aside from that Hiroshima and Miyajima are close both cool places to go to.

Thank You!!

This is the sort of info I'm looking for, thanks again.

flinthill99
06-11-11, 11:55 AM
I was on a six month deployment to Iwakuni that was extended another six months because of the beginning of Operation Iraqi Freedom. The base is great and they offer everything there is to do in order to keep the Marines entertained. It's a great place to get out and see the countryside. Iwakuni is very historic and scenic, and the city is beautiful as well. Hiroshima is only a 45 minute train ride, so a very good day trip to take on occasion. And if you're willing to pay a little extra money, can take the shin (bullet train) a little further out to Tokyo, Osaka, and other places. Iwakuni offers everything under the sun to do and see...or you can just sit in your barracks and rot. Great place. Would love to go back.

Zulu 36
06-11-11, 01:28 PM
I was at Iwakuni in the 1970s. I enjoyed my second trip there better than the first as I was older, a Sergeant, and not living in Block 8 anymore.

He needs to get out of Iwakuni and into the countryside. I really enjoy the Japanese people. He needs to learn some basic Japanese (the please and thank you stuff) and things will go well. The Japanese appreciate any genuine effort to learn their language and respect their culture. Beautiful country.

One thing I'm sure probably hasn't changed, if he goes to Hiroshima, he can expect to get "attacked" by Japanese high school and college kids trying to improve their English (a required subject there). He can learn a lot of proper Japanese language in return (not pidgin bar girl stuff). Most of the girls will not be interested in a date, just conversation. But they are cute.

Zulu 36
06-11-11, 01:34 PM
And I am informed that the boys in Hiroshima are cute too and likewise won't want a date. Everything else remains the same.

SemperFiParent
06-11-11, 02:13 PM
I was at Iwakuni in the 1970s. I enjoyed my second trip there better than the first as I was older, a Sergeant, and not living in Block 8 anymore.

He needs to get out of Iwakuni and into the countryside. I really enjoy the Japanese people. He needs to learn some basic Japanese (the please and thank you stuff) and things will go well. The Japanese appreciate any genuine effort to learn their language and respect their culture. Beautiful country.

One thing I'm sure probably hasn't changed, if he goes to Hiroshima, he can expect to get "attacked" by Japanese high school and college kids trying to improve their English (a required subject there). He can learn a lot of proper Japanese language in return (not pidgin bar girl stuff). Most of the girls will not be interested in a date, just conversation. But they are cute.

Well, it's SHE, not HE, LOL, but the tips are welcomed just the same.

SemperFiParent
06-11-11, 02:15 PM
I was on a six month deployment to Iwakuni that was extended another six months because of the beginning of Operation Iraqi Freedom. The base is great and they offer everything there is to do in order to keep the Marines entertained. It's a great place to get out and see the countryside. Iwakuni is very historic and scenic, and the city is beautiful as well. Hiroshima is only a 45 minute train ride, so a very good day trip to take on occasion. And if you're willing to pay a little extra money, can take the shin (bullet train) a little further out to Tokyo, Osaka, and other places. Iwakuni offers everything under the sun to do and see...or you can just sit in your barracks and rot. Great place. Would love to go back.

Thank You! I will pass the information along to my daughter, I'm sure she will appreciate the advice.

LCPLE3
06-11-11, 04:06 PM
I was at Iwakuni in the 1970s. I enjoyed my second trip there better than the first as I was older, a Sergeant, and not living in Block 8 anymore.

He needs to get out of Iwakuni and into the countryside. I really enjoy the Japanese people. He needs to learn some basic Japanese (the please and thank you stuff) and things will go well. The Japanese appreciate any genuine effort to learn their language and respect their culture. Beautiful country.

One thing I'm sure probably hasn't changed, if he goes to Hiroshima, he can expect to get "attacked" by Japanese high school and college kids trying to improve their English (a required subject there). He can learn a lot of proper Japanese language in return (not pidgin bar girl stuff). Most of the girls will not be interested in a date, just conversation. But they are cute.

lol. Hiroshima was like that. Served at Iwakuni 78-79. A great duty station. Lots to see and do. A good opportunity for your daughter to grow and learn while serving our country. Semper Fi.

rufus1
06-11-11, 04:27 PM
If it has not changed since back in 1972 they would crank up burning the bodies early in the morning and it does not go good with chow. Most people in Japan was burned because of space and the sea level. Like Zulu36 said Hiroshima, she can expect to get "attacked" by Japanese kids trying to improve their English even ask you for your autograph. Also Kirin Beer Gardens and Peace Park in Hiroshima are great place to check out. The old people still gave us stern looks especially the one that lived through the attack. It was hard to find out what train to get on especially after the beer- a college girl who spoke English took us to where we needed to board. We had two Marines rob the pay master while we were there since we got paid in U.S. cash. They got caught rather quickly though even though they got quite a bit of money. All in all it was a good experience but we also went to the Philippines then to NAM when the sh*t hit the fan pretty heavy. Be sure to tell her not to go out alone because things can happen a buddy of mine got jumped in Mexico and two sailors got cut up and put into trash cans in the Philippines. There is strength in numbers and always stand up and take care of your brothers and sisters!!!!! :flag: (http://www.welcome.city.sapporo.jp/english/sites/kirinbeer.html)

rufus1
06-11-11, 04:46 PM
If it has not changed since back in 1972 they would crank up burning the bodies early in the morning and it does not go good with chow. Most people in Japan was burned because of space and the sea level. Like Zulu36 said Hiroshima, she can expect to get "attacked" by Japanese kids trying to improve their English even ask you for your autograph. Also Kirin Beer Gardens and Peace Park in Hiroshima are great place to check out. The old people still gave us stern looks especially the one that lived through the attack. It was hard to find out what train to get on especially after the beer- a college girl who spoke English took us to where we needed to board. We had two Marines rob the pay master while we were there since we got paid in U.S. cash. They got caught rather quickly though even though they got quite a bit of money. All in all it was a good experience but we also went to the Philippines then to NAM when the sh*t hit the fan pretty heavy. Be sure to tell her not to go out alone because things can happen a buddy of mine got jumped in Mexico and two sailors got cut up and put into trash cans in the Philippines. There is strength in numbers and always stand up and take care of your brothers and sisters!!!!! :flag: (http://www.welcome.city.sapporo.jp/english/sites/kirinbeer.html)

Apache
06-11-11, 07:12 PM
Did a short stop (I seem to recall two weeks) between flights from Nam to the world
Late 60,s

The usual military town right outside the gate

Plenty of other sights to take in with minimal travel

Stay in a group- like any city alone and a traveler is just a target

Make the effort to visit places you probably won't get another chance to

Sgt Leprechaun
06-11-11, 10:14 PM
I did two tours there, one in 85 the other 87. Nice place then, probably better now. If you wanted to, plenty of stuff to do and get into, including Hiroshima, Shuri Castle, and all sorts of other stuff.

BTW I think in todays' information age, it's perfectly normal for parents to wonder where their kid is going and what is there.

I thought it was a good duty station, but I wasn't there for a 2-3 year tour, either, just 6 months (and we deployed from there too, so wasn't there an entire year).

wildwoman73
06-12-11, 07:36 AM
If it has not changed since back in 1972 they would crank up burning the bodies early in the morning and it does not go good with chow.


(That's just nasty rufus1)

I was originally stationed there as my first duty station. Stayed a whopping three days. They didn't need me so they fapped me over to Okinawa. And Oki was FUN!!! There is quite a bit to do. Maybe she'll get lucky and have the same opportunity. It's not every day that Americans get paid to live in another country. So I highly suggest learning the culture. Take walks where safe to do so and look at the little things. Take any opportunity to if her MOS allows or has a need...to go on small detatchments if open. I went to a training exercise in Korea. You never know when you will have the opportunity to see places like this ever again in your life. I was there in 1994-95 and I have never been able to go back since. What an opportunity!!!!

SGT7477
06-12-11, 10:49 AM
(That's just nasty rufus1)

I was originally stationed there as my first duty station. Stayed a whopping three days. They didn't need me so they fapped me over to Okinawa. And Oki was FUN!!! There is quite a bit to do. Maybe she'll get lucky and have the same opportunity. It's not every day that Americans get paid to live in another country. So I highly suggest learning the culture. Take walks where safe to do so and look at the little things. Take any opportunity to if her MOS allows or has a need...to go on small detatchments if open. I went to a training exercise in Korea. You never know when you will have the opportunity to see places like this ever again in your life. I was there in 1994-95 and I have never been able to go back since. What an opportunity!!!!
Oki let the good times roll, Semper Fidelis.:D

Marine84
06-12-11, 11:43 AM
Same here. I had a blast in Iwakuni! I was there 86 and it sure was a good time had by all - LOL!

Back then, we didn't check into our units right away. The first week, they got us acclimated to a different country and culture. They taught us a few do's and don'ts, how to read the train schedules, little stuff. Then they tested us at the end of the week with a trip to Miyajima Island - they took us over there, dropped us off and told us we had to find our way back. OMG! I had so much fun that day! The only thing I didn't see on that rock was the monkies - I had heard they throw things at you so, I didn't want to have a monkey throw anything at me. There was so much to see and do on that little rock.

The Cherry Blossom Festival at Kintai Bridge was awesome! Lots of shopping in downtown Iwakuni. I got lucky enough to get a car while I was there - some jarhead in my shop was rotating back to the States but, he was on legal hold. All he needed was $100 to get out of it and he could go home. Yep, I got the Flintstone Mobile for $100 and I drove that thing everywhere!

Tell her to ALWAYS make sure she carries wet wipes or a little pack of Kleenex with her when she goes off base. I had to finally ask somebody how to use the toilets. The toilets were flush to the floor - you have to walk up to it and squat - I was trying to back up to it and squat - LOL!

Zulu 36
06-12-11, 12:40 PM
Same here. I had a blast in Iwakuni! I was there 86 and it sure was a good time had by all - LOL!

Back then, we didn't check into our units right away. The first week, they got us acclimated to a different country and culture. They taught us a few do's and don'ts, how to read the train schedules, little stuff. Then they tested us at the end of the week with a trip to Miyajima Island - they took us over there, dropped us off and told us we had to find our way back. OMG! I had so much fun that day! The only thing I didn't see on that rock was the monkies - I had heard they throw things at you so, I didn't want to have a monkey throw anything at me. There was so much to see and do on that little rock.

The Cherry Blossom Festival at Kintai Bridge was awesome! Lots of shopping in downtown Iwakuni. I got lucky enough to get a car while I was there - some jarhead in my shop was rotating back to the States but, he was on legal hold. All he needed was $100 to get out of it and he could go home. Yep, I got the Flintstone Mobile for $100 and I drove that thing everywhere!

Tell her to ALWAYS make sure she carries wet wipes or a little pack of Kleenex with her when she goes off base. I had to finally ask somebody how to use the toilets. The toilets were flush to the floor - you have to walk up to it and squat - I was trying to back up to it and squat - LOL!

Hey, Kim, did the restaurants on Miyajima still have displays of fake food dishes in the windows in 1986? Not very appetizing to look at, but the real food was good.

Zulu 36
06-12-11, 12:45 PM
If it has not changed since back in 1972 they would crank up burning the bodies early in the morning and it does not go good with chow. Most people in Japan was burned because of space and the sea level.

Well, cremation has been a custom in Japan for centuries. But, yeah, thanks for the trip down memory lane, Rufus1. :sick: That was still going on in 1974-75 too.

rufus1
06-12-11, 02:40 PM
I can still remember that smell yet today. Wildwoman the truth is the truth be it GOOD, DAD or UGLY - There was a little bit of it all there. Didn't you smell it - you can not miss it if they are doing it - it is a very distinctive smell to say the least. :flag:

rufus1
06-12-11, 03:17 PM
ZULU I remember those dishes of food - wasn't it great - it sure beat trying to read the menu. I was drunk a lot of the time so I just pointed to one and ate it so it didn't make much difference to me. It is hard telling what I eat over there. I really loved the BBQ monkey meat in the Philippines though it tasted great - monkey on a stick. :banana:

Zulu 36
06-12-11, 03:26 PM
ZULU I remember those dishes of food - wasn't it great - it sure beat trying to read the menu. I was drunk a lot of the time so I just pointed to one and ate it so it didn't make much difference to me. It is hard telling what I eat over there. I really loved the BBQ monkey meat in the Philippines though it tasted great - monkey on a stick. :banana:


I had monkey in Vietnam. Dog too. One must explore the various cultures one meets.

rufus1
06-12-11, 03:44 PM
Sounds just like the Marines I ran with back during the day ZULU. When I went on R&R in Nam I ordered a volcano steak. It was about 4 steaks on top of each other and locked just like a volcano. They brought it out and I had the fork and knife ready to eat. I dug in and about that time the waiter threw something on it and fire erupted. The moral of this story is always go by what the menu says and do not get in too big of a hurry. I almost turned on the waiter when he threw that fire in there.

wildwoman73
06-12-11, 03:48 PM
I can still remember that smell yet today. Wildwoman the truth is the truth be it GOOD, DAD or UGLY - There was a little bit of it all there. Didn't you smell it - you can not miss it if they are doing it - it is a very distinctive smell to say the least. :flag:

I noticed a less than desirable odor but never anything like what I'd smelled in car fires or in the ER treating burn victims. And yes, you are right. It IS a very distinctive smell.

rufus1
06-12-11, 04:09 PM
Yea it sounds like you been up too close and personal sad to say Wildwomen. When you have a job like you had there is many sites and smells you have to endure. I think the crematory was a little ways away from the base and they may have been able to tone it down some over the years (New Japan EPA regulations). Once it enters the nostrils it never forgets what it is associated with.

Marine84
06-13-11, 06:58 PM
Yeah they did Zulu. Good thing they did cause I would have never eaten out in town without them - couldn't read the menu OR speak the language.

I was also a Mamason magnet because of the size of my boobs. Hell, I'm well endowed compared to them. One Mamason worked at the chow hall when I had to pull them god awful 30 days - she walked up to me one day, grabbed a boob and said "oooooh takson(sp)". I was so shocked, the best I could do was "I guess so compared to yours". I was in downtown Iwakuni one day and bent over to look into a jewelry case - Mamason walked up, felt me up and said the same thing. I hear some of the guys have the same problem with Japanese men - if you're hung, they look at you like you're Buddah or some $h!t. LOL!

Sgt Leprechaun
06-16-11, 12:28 AM
I rather enjoyed 'monkey on a stick' when I was in PI. IIRC you could get 10 for a peso or two. Darned good. Had dog as well. Again..different cultures. I always tried to eat at the local places instead of the 'American' food joints. Then again back in the day I also took a trip to 'The Rock' and Bataan, by myself with only my PI girlfriend as escort. What a hoot THAT was!

I remember the food on plates in the windows at Iwakuni too!

And, the 'benjo bomber' rent a wreck bikes! Remember those?

GT6238
06-17-11, 01:59 PM
I had an aparto off base for most of the time I was there....I DO NOT remember the smell of a crematory. But I do remember the smell of the binjos and the nightsoil spread on the fields by the honeybucket man. A lot of incense was burned. Went down to DaNang and came back and the partying was still going strong. Several of us put our money together and bought two junky cars. Before that the trains were a good ride. In a way, I hated to leave, but things were getting hot. Oh yeah, the base was OK....

MOS4429
06-17-11, 06:31 PM
She hasn't seen any official paperwork yet, but the SNCO at LCpl Andrews MOS school verbally informed her that she is going to be shipped to Iwakuni.

If anyone here spent any time there, I'd appreciate any information you could provide.

Thanks

Carl

Proud father of a United States Marine.

Went TAD to Iwakuni 3 times in '83-84 - two for 1 week and one for two weeks. I was a Sgt, would get my orders, hop on a plane off Futenma or Kadena, fly up to Iwakuni, do what I was there for, and when off duty or frequently finished early, would play the part of the tourist and head to town exploring. I only went into ville out the back gate once, remember a wooden bridge shaped like an arc, muddy river, huts up on the hillside. MCAS Iwakuni itself I thought was a great air station and enjoyed it. The other times I went off base, I took a train to Hiroshima to see ground zero, the dome, museam, etc. Never had school children swamp me, though, and don't remember smells at Iwakuni. Like I told a parent whose kid is going to Oki, it will be what she makes it. There are always many things to do, but if one would rather sit around the barracks, drink, and gripe, well...it'll probably suck. Somebody already commented about this excellent opportunity to go live in a foreign country at Uncle Sam's expense. It is an excellent opportunity.

Don't know if anybody has commented about weather, but I experienced fall temperatures, mild and quite nice. Second time it was cold, frozen, 6-8 inches of snow and I was not prepared. I got the call in the morning to pack my bag, get up to Futenma, and you're heading to Iwakuni within the hour, so I coming from Oki, where it was 70s, I did not prepare for frigid weather and traveled up in charlies. Somebody lent me a field jacket, though, and it seems like you weren't supposed to wear field jackets in charlies, but I did it anyway. Third time it rained.

Here is a link to check out. It is Marine Corps bases Japan. Click on Iwakuni, but you can check out some Oki camps, too, because she may be fapped or TAD'd.

http://www.marines.mil/unit/mcbjapan/Pages/default.aspx

Sgt Leprechaun
06-20-11, 05:28 PM
I love your avatar...but can't read the whole thing...

Great site good on ya for posting that up!

MOS4429
06-20-11, 07:21 PM
I love your avatar...but can't read the whole thing...

Great site good on ya for posting that up!

Wouldn't let me insert, but the text reads:

"That sinking feeling that comes when you finally realize that your 'leader,' the person upon whom your very life depends, does not have even the slightest clue."

Sgt Leprechaun
06-20-11, 07:28 PM
Awesome!!!!! Lol. Where did you find that?

wildwoman73
06-20-11, 07:28 PM
Wouldn't let me insert, but the text reads:

"That sinking feeling that comes when you finally realize that your 'leader,' the person upon whom your very life depends, does not have even the slightest clue."

:thumbup::idea::thumbup:

mel jeffries
07-09-11, 08:43 PM
I was chief legal clerk in 1964-65 so my info would be very outdated but it was a great duty station back then.