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thedrifter
10-31-08, 08:51 AM
Off-limits liberty policies in place for protection
Lance Cpl. Stefanie C. Pupkiewicz

Editor's note: The following is part of a continuing series of articles highlighting the Marine Corps Bases Japan and III Marine Expeditionary Force order 1050.7, the Liberty Campaign Order, signed by III MEF and MCBJ Commanding General Lt. Gen. Richard C. Zilmer Sept. 29.

CAMP FOSTER, Okinawa (October 31, 2008) -- MCBJ and III MEF order 1050.7, the Liberty Campaign Order outlines areas and activities prohibited for Status of Forces Agreement personnel attached to III MEF or MCBJ units.

Areas and activities are designated off limits for a number of reasons but primarily it is because it is not in the best interest of Marines, sailors or other SOFA personnel, said Sgt. Maj. Daniel Fierle, the III MEF sergeant major.

Safety is the reason areas such as caves, gun positions, heavily-vegetated areas, hills, tunnels not used for vehicles and bodies of water in the Northern Training Area and Camp Gonsalves are off limits.

Construction and flight line areas are also prohibited to all personnel, according to the order.

Burial sites and tombs are off limits to personnel as these sights are sacred to the Okinawan people, said Fierle. Exceptions to this order are made for family members and those participating in ceremonies.

There are also areas around Camp Schwab in Henoko Village that are closed to personnel unless sponsored and escorted by a local national. These areas are the baseball field, playgrounds and the fishing boat pier.

Around Camp Hansen, Kin-Cho Athletic Field and the Ryuku Sanitarium are off limits to all personnel unless escorted by a local national.

Residential areas are also off limits unless the personnel are residents of the area or they are invited by a resident, according to the order. Personnel can travel through these areas but they must remain on the provided roadways and sidewalks.

All schools, Department of Defense, public or private, are off limits to personnel unless they are students or parents of students attending that school or employees of the school, according to the order. Personnel must attain written permission from the main office of the school to speak to a student on school grounds.

Maintaining propriety and the safety of personnel are the major considerations for designating an area or activity off limits, said Fierle and Sgt. Maj. Cevet Adams, the MCB Camp Butler sergeant major.

Because of safety concerns for service members, establishments that are identified as violating established laws can be placed off limits, Adams said. Reasons can include liquor violations, drug abuse, illicit gambling, terrorist activities or prostitution.

The commanding general of the III MEF, Lt. Gen Richard C. Zilmer has designated the following areas off limits: Club Hideaway, Shampoo, Orange Boom and the Ground Tobacco Shop.

In addition to prohibited areas, there are also prohibited activities as prescribed by the new order.

According to the order, activities that present a hazard to the health and welfare of personnel are prohibited: cliff diving, bungee jumping, bridge jumping, hang-gliding and parachuting.

Numerous locations exist throughout the Okinawan coastline and inland areas, such as Hiji and Aha Falls, where SOFA personnel have been observed engaging in cliff diving and bridge jumping, according to Shawn Curtis, occupational safety and health specialist for the Base Installation Safety Office.

"These locations are often shallow especially during low tide periods or periods of limited rainfall in the case of fresh water locations. Jumping from high locations into shallow water depths can cause severe injury or loss of life," Curtis said.

Curtis went on to say one reason hang-gliding, parachuting and similar activities are prohibited is because companies in many overseas locations offering these activities are not controlled or sanctioned as they are in the United States, which may place service members at undue risk.

The operation of all-terrain vehicles, go-karts and unlicensed motorcycles on public roadways, on base or off, is prohibited by the order.

Service members found in an off-limits area or participating in a prohibited activity will be in violation of Article 92 of the Uniform Code of Military Justice.

Though not subject to the UCMJ, non-military SOFA personnel can face loss of command sponsorship if found in violation of the order.

Prohibited areas and activities are enforced to protect our forces and to help maintain troop welfare, Adams said.

The MCBJ/III MEF Order 1050.7, the Liberty Campaign Order, can be accessed on-line at the MCB Camp Butler adjutant SharePoint homepage at the following CAC-protected site: https://wss.mcbbutler.usmc.mil/G1/Adjutant/default.aspx. Under the directives links, click MCBJ/III MEF orders and locate MCBJ/III MEF Order 1050.7.

Ellie