Soldier's Wife, Crazy Life

duty stations

The Truth About Military Duty Stations

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The Truth About Military Duty Stations

I just wanted to go home. I hated it there. Everything about that place was starting to get on my nerves. We were still months away from PCSing and the closer that date got, the harder it was to be patient. I wanted to move so badly. Live somewhere else. Get out of where we were.

Looking back, it seems unreal that I thought this about being stationed in Germany. Being stationed in Europe is a dream come true. Doing so was an amazing experience and one I am very thankful for. But after a couple of years of being away from the US, all I wanted to do was go somewhere else.

The Truth About Military Duty Stations

 

There are always a lot of questions about duty stations in my Facebook community. So many people want to know what to expect and what living in some locations will be like.

These questions are a good idea so that military spouses can find out more about what they will be doing in the future. I know I always have a ton of questions before I move somewhere new.

Duty stations come in all different sizes and are located in very different places. Hawaii is going to be an entirely different experience than being stationed in upstate New York.

The Truth about Duty stations

So what is the truth about military duty stations?

Some are better than others, but…

Some duty stations are better than others. The housing is better, the weather is more ideal in California than it is in the South, and some places have more resources than others. Some locations are favorites of military families and some places cause a lot of dread when they are brought up.

The truth is, you could have an enjoyable experience at a horrible place, or you could have a horrible experience in paradise. Homesickness can kick in and if you are stationed far from home, going to visit can be difficult.

If you do get orders for one of the less popular duty stations, try not to get too upset about them. You never know what your experience will be like and you may just figure out how to bloom where you are stationed.

The people make the difference

The people you meet at your duty station can make the difference. In one place you could end up in the right neighborhood and makes friends very quickly. These are the people that you will remember after you PCS. They are the ones that will make your experience at your duty station what it is.

In other places, you could struggle to make friends and not finding your tribe can be a difficult place to be in. You might look back on those years with unfavorable memories and dread simply because you had a hard time connecting with others.

If you have issues with different people at your duty station, that is going to change your experiences as well. Too much drama and feeling like you don’t fit in can make your time there not as great.

The Truth about duty stations

Things change all the time

No matter where you are or how you feel about your duty station, things change all the time. People PCS away, you can move, even within the same city, your kids get older, and you PCS yourself.

Whenever I feel like I have found my group of friends in my current city, I am aware that things will change. That what we have at the moment will not last forever and that things will be different in the future.

This is a good thing if you don’t like where you live, not so good if you do.

Duty stations don’t last forever

If you hate where you live, don’t think it will get any better, and can’t wait to leave, eventually, you will. Although some military families do stay at the same place for a while, most move at least every 3-5 years. Some even more often.

You will eventually PCS out of where you are now. You might have to be patient and wait for that, but the day will eventually come.

Same duty station, completely different experiences

You should always keep in mind that two people can have completely different experiences at the same duty station. Here at Fort Campbell, we have people that love this place and never want to go anywhere else and those that loathe it and can’t wait to move.

I think your experience at a particular duty station is going to depend on a few factors. One is where you are from and what you are used to. If you come from California, living in a much colder part of the country is going to make a difference.

Your experience is also going to depend on your house, your spouse’s unit and even the ages of your children. You could have two completely different experiences at the same place simply because there are 10 years in between.

The truth of military duty stations

When it comes to duty stations, remember that seeking advice is a good thing but don’t get discouraged by bad comments. Know that you will probably be able to experience many different places during your spouse’s career and that you won’t stay in one place forever.

What do you love the most about your current duty station?

 

Why Colorado Springs is a Fantastic Place to Live

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Stationed in COlorado

Why Colorado Springs is a Fantastic Place to Live

This is a sponsored post by Susanna Haynie of Your Colorado Springs House.
A wonderful resource for those who are moving to the Colorado Springs area. 

Colorado is a fantastic place to live, and there are those who yearn for the opportunity to go there. From the perfect climate and fresh mountain air, Colorado Springs is a treasure and delightful place to make a home.

Fit and Active

With nearly 300 days of sun, you can’t help but get active when you live here. After all, you are living in a place where other people come to visit and wish they could live here too.

PCSing to Fort Carson

You think we are all about snow?

Be prepared for some funky weather: 70 mph winds when the weather changes, thundersnow, snow in north Colorado Springs, the sun at Fort Carson. Hail as big as golf balls, wildfires, and floods. Most of it hits quickly and briefly. We’ve had days where you could observe four seasons in one day.

Wildlife

Every state has their own wildlife, but living with the wildlife and “meeting” it is different. We have bears, mountain lions, deer, elk, coyotes, and rattlers. Don’t be scared just be careful!

Living High

Cannabis

Yup, It’s Legal: While Colorado has legalized marijuana, it is not a free-for-all pot party out here, and it doesn’t mean all of Colorado is in a state of being “high,” and certainly not all the time!

Altitude

Altitude sickness: At an elevation of 6271 ft. in Colorado Springs proper, the real high that you need to watch out for is the altitude. Altitude Sickness is real and can be debilitating while your body adjusts. Take it easy for the first few weeks to acclimate.

US air force

Colorado Springs loves their military

The city is surrounded on three sides by Fort Carson, NORAD, the Air Force Academy, Schriever AFB, and Peterson Air Force Base. Combined, the military is the largest employer in Colorado Springs, accounting for 20% of the jobs. You will find that our citizens have a deep love and appreciation for the men and women in uniform. This expresses itself in many events benefitting military organizations aiding veterans, military members, and families.

EFMPs

If you are a special needs family moving to Colorado Springs, you will have support. Start your research BEFORE you arrive to ensure a smooth transition. If you need a starting point, contact Susanna, a knowledgeable Colorado realtor.

Schools

Our state ranks 11th in the nation in reading and writing performance, and Colorado Springs “owns” three of the top 10 Colorado school districts. Impressive, you say? I agree.

Colorado can be a great place to call home, even if it is just for the two to four years the military sends you there.

Colorado Springs

About the author

Susanna Haynie, settled in Colorado Springs after immigrating to the US from Germany and has been an active duty spouse for 21 years. There is a special place in her heart for all our EFMP families as she has experienced the PCSing with a special needs child herself and all the challenges it may bring.

Susanna is readily equipped to start you off with her own Colorado Springs guides and email series, she‘ll take you from “Where do I start?” to “I got this!” To get signed up with her guides, connect with her via Facebook https://www.facebook.com/ColoradoSpringsLife, email her: susanna@co-regroup.com or visit her blog at www.yourcoloradospringshouse.com.

The Very Best Places You Could Get Stationed As a Military Family

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The Very Best Places You Could Get Stationed As a Military Family

The Very Best Places You Could Get Stationed As a Military Family

If you ask people what their favorite duty station has been you are going to get a lot of different responses. There are certain duty stations that people love and certain duty stations that people hate. Although it is true that you can bloom where you are stationed no matter where you are, some areas will be easier to have a good experience at than others.

So where are these locations? Should your spouse try to get stationed there too? Are there any cons of these coveted duty stations?

Where are the very best places you can get stationed as a military family?

Germany

What could be better than being stationed in Europe? Germany is one of the best! From the festivals to the mountains to the little villages, there is so much to love. If you want a duty station where you will grow you as a person and that will let you experience cultures and history you would never have otherwise, Germany can be your ideal duty station. We spent 4 years there and made so many memories during that time.

The hardest part of Germany is being away from your family and living so far from home. Visiting home on a regular basis is really not going to be an option for you and traveling everywhere when you have young children can be a challenge. That being said, if you get the opportunity to go to Germany, go. Being stationed there is an experience like no other and the military community is strong when you are stationed overseas.

Hawaii

Hawaii had to make this list. What could be better than living on an island? One that you would normally have to spend a lot of money for to come visit? One where you could go to the beach every day (maybe,) give your kids surfing lessons and take day trips to some of the most beautiful places in the US.  Hawaii can be a wonderful experience for your family. I have only been there as a tourist but I know there is a lot to do and a lot of great things to see.

I have heard that island fever is real and can hit quite hard. The schools are not rated very high and everything is very expensive. The good thing is that you do get COLA when you are stationed there and there is a great military community to be a part of.  I think Hawaii is probably what you make of it.

San Diego

Warm weather, lots to do, Disneyland an hour away? Oh, how I wish we could have been stationed in San Diego. Almost everyone I know who has been stationed there has loved it. You are right by the beach but still on the mainland. You can visit home a little easier than if you were in Hawaii and there really is a ton to do just a short car ride away.

San Diego is in California which can be a different experience for those who are not from the West Coast. Southern California has its own culture for sure but you never have to worry about the city shutting down for snow and they have In-and-Out.

Colorado

If you are a fan of the outdoors you are going to love Colorado. From hiking to skiing to exploring, Colorado has everything you might want in a duty station if you love being outdoors. And the mountains! I love seeing all the photos I see posted from friends who are stationed there. Their views are breathtaking. A lot of people want to be stationed in Colorado so if orders come up, take advantage of them and enjoy your time there. You might not be the biggest fan if you don’t like cold weather but I have heard that the snow there is beautiful, even if it starts in September.

 

Honorable Mentions

I also know these places can be great as well!

Okinawa, Japan
Virginia/DC area
South Korea
Ft. Lewis
Ft. Campbell
Monterey
Ft. Bragg
Ft. Hood

No matter where you might end up, you should be able to find a few positives and enjoy your time there. In some cases, that can be really hard and it might not even have to do with where you are. You could be very close to your family and even the beaches of Hawaii can’t take away your homesickness. You could have had the best experience at a post in Texas and after moving to Germany just can’t find your footing, at least not for a while. Your Grandma could be sick and you were really hoping for a post in Missouri, an hour from home but the Navy sent you to San Diego instead.

At the end of the day, finding that perfect duty station might not be possible but that doesn’t mean you can’t make the best of where you are. Get out and explore, get to know the local culture and remember, orders will come, you will move somewhere else and you will miss the time you spent during the years you were there. Wherever that might be.

If you are curious about a particular duty station, check out my list of posts I have covered on my blog!

Where would you love to be stationed next? What would you add to this list?

Living at Ft. Leavenworth, Kansas

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Happy to have this guest post by Jenah on being stationed at Ft. Leavenworth. Please visit my Duty station guest post page for posts on other locations or more information about how you can write a guest post about where you have been stationed.

Stationed at Ft. Leavenworth

Stationed at Ft. Leavenworth

My first trip to Ft. Leavenworth was an experience! I was engaged to a Soldier and this was my first duty station. We flew into the Kansas City airport and the images of fountains, shopping, and nightlife that google provided filled me with excitement. Then we got in a rental car and drove AWAY from all of it to the sleepy little town of Leavenworth, Kansas.

The City of Leavenworth

Stationed at Ft. Leavenworth

Leavenworth was the first city established in Kansas and sits on the border of the Kansas and Missouri. It has a charming historic downtown area with murals painted on the walls, repurposed old historic brick buildings, and lots of local shops and restaurants. Leavenworth has your typical Walmart, one off post gym, a few chain restaurants, and there are two Starbucks, but both are located inside another building with NO drive through access. First world and moms with young children problems, I know, but worth mentioning. Right outside of the gate sits a very large federal prison and a field where buffalo roam. Yes, just like the song.

Fort Leavenworth the Post

Fort Leavenworth is a very small and well maintained post that dates back to 1827. The housing ranges from brand new to older pre Civil War era historic housing. The post has modern amenities such as a golf course, 3 gyms, stables, an air field, and hosts numerous family activities and programs. Ft. Leavenworth is known as the intellectual hub of the Army, home to the Command and General Staff College, the School of Command Prep, The Army Management Staff College and the School of Advanced Military Studies. Most families come to attend a school for a year, maybe two and then leave. There is a constant turn over at this post to include international students from all around the world. In addition to all of these great schools, Ft.  Leavenworth also has an Army Disciplinary Barracks. Prisons everywhere!

Kansas City

Ft. Leavenworth is a stone’s throw from some amazing areas in both Kansas and Missouri. 25 minutes straight out of the main gate into Kansas puts you at a great outdoor shopping area known as Legends and boasts the local Target, outlet mall, and great restaurants.  Take a right out of post and go 25 minutes into Missouri and end up at Zona Rosa which is also filled with outdoor shopping, restaurants, and so many stores. Pass Zona Rosa and in another 20 minutes you will find yourself in beautiful down town Kansas City where you can experience the fountains, museums, WWI monument, Zoo, Royals games, Chiefs games, and so much shopping and good food. It’s overwhelming and amazing.

Local Food and Weather

Stationed at Ft. Leavenworth

BBQ is the local cuisine here and there are more places to try than you could count. Just make sure to stop by Jack Stacks and B.B.’s Lawn Side BBQ. The weather in Kansas is bipolar and will flash flood, sunshine, and tornado all on one day. The winters are mild with snow fall and the summers are hot, but not as humid as down south.

Overall Ft. Leavenworth is a great place to be stationed. Military families can experience the small town feel of the post and city of Leavenworth or venture out and explore the great surrounding cities. This area is very charming and truly one of the best kept secrets in the Army.

 

Jenah Wieczorek Social Media & Base AdvocateJenah Wieczorek, Social Media & Base Advocate

Forget What You’ve Heard, Fort Bragg REALLY is a Great Place To Live!

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Happy to have this guest post by Kia on Fort Bragg in North Carolina. Please visit my Duty station guest post page for posts on other locations or more information about how you can write a guest post about where you have been stationed.

stationed at ft. bragg

I see it every time I get on one of the FB groups about Fort Bragg. A military spouse posts:
“Hey, everyone! We’re getting stationed at Fort Bragg and will be there in a few months. What’s it like there? What suggestions do you have on where to live?”

And then they come in droves. “Fort Bragg is THE WORST”. “Just stay out of Fayetteville!”. “I’m so glad we got away,” and on and on. Let me be clear on this…. Fort Bragg is not Mayberry, but it’s actually a great place to live.

My family has been stationed here twice, from 2006 to 2011, and we’ve been back since 2014. I will admit that I’m itching to leave, but it’s not at all for the reasons you might think. I love traveling and I would love to have an overseas tour, or go west. We’re from Tennessee and we’ve only been stationed at Bragg and Eglin. I’m ready to explore somewhere other than the Southeast United States. But if we have to be here, then I will enjoy it while we can.

So what does Fort Bragg have going for it? PLENTY!

* A great downtown atmosphere
* Plenty of parks
* Two PX’s and Two Commissaries
* Expansive food and cuisine options (downtown alone you’ll find American, Mediterranean, Italian and West African within a one block radius)
* The Crown Coliseum (many family friendly shows, like Disney on Ice and Entertainers, Music Artists and comedians come RIGHT to Fayetteville)
* Man shopping choices
* Love the beach? You can be there in 1.5 to 2 hours!
* Love the mountains? You can be there in a few hours!
* Raleigh, Charlotte, Charleston are a hop, skip and jump away
* Plenty of Historical elements to explore
* Farms! That means local produce, farm fresh eggs and honey! Most are open to the public for visitors and have great activities for different holidays. We also have a local Farmer’s Market twice a week.
* Fairs, festivals… I feel like there is ALWAYS something going on that I can take my children
* Jobs: The business community is very welcoming to hiring military spouses, there is a wide array of jobs AND an amazing group of military spouse entrepreneurs here that support each other.
* Diversity; there are so many cultures here! That in itself means that your children will have lots of learning opportunities

Of course, with an area as large as this, crime happens. I’m not at all going to downplay it, because I can’t. A lot of people choose to live just outside of Fayetteville in feeder towns like Hope Mills, Raeford and Spring Lake. But there are great neighborhoods IN Fayetteville, just as well. I love driving around Historical Haymount in Fayetteville just to look at the houses.

stationed at ft. bragg

My 3 Musketeers enjoying General Lee Park in the Haymount area of Fayetteville, NC.

In my opinion, one of the greatest things about Fort Bragg? CHOICES. Whether you are searching for public school, private school, churches, salons, grocery stores, neighborhoods or what to do with your family this weekend- you will have a CHOICE. That in itself is something that I’ve heard several other bases lack, and one that I appreciate.
Just like this area has a lot of options, the choices you make will determine your experience here. It’s easy to stay at home, or on post and feel like there’s nothing to do. When you approach Fort Bragg as a fun place to explore and connect with your community, embrace the location of being right between the beach and the mountains; I bet you’ll find yourself falling in love. This town is vibrant, soulful and proud to be called The All American City.

Have you been stationed at Fort Bragg? I’d love to hear about your favorite local things to do and what you’ve enjoyed about your time here.

 

Kia YoungKia Young is probably at this very moment driving one of her 3 kids to school, an appointment, sports or some other social activity. In between being a professional chauffeur that gets paid in kisses, hugs and good grades; she’s a military spouse and small business owner. Her main life goal is to raise happy, kind children who contribute greatly to society and the Kingdom of Heaven. And to publish a book that sells more than 100 copies. You can keep up with her thoughts on family, travel and food over at The Experience Life!
Facebook: The Experience Life: A Family Blog
Instagram: @the_experience_life 

Living in Key West, Florida

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Happy to have this guest post by Mindy on Key West, Florida. Please visit my Duty station guest post page for posts on other locations or more information about how you can write a guest post about where you have been stationed. 

Living in Key West, Florida

Key West, FL. Home of NAS Key West, Coast Guard Sector and JIATF South. You will find every branch of the military here and a diverse group of locals. Living in Key West can be amazing and difficult at the same time. Being here is an adventure, from the gloriously blue waters to the fun animals you will find.

The difficult part will be the expense you will incur. It is not cheap to live here. Most cost effective will be to reside on the installation. Although it will take a majority of you BAH, it is a lot more house than you will be able to afford in the civilian world. Here is a picture of the duplexes you will most likely be living in, unless you are off post or officer. While these seem lovely, they are still over 70 years old and are just now being renovated, but not completely.

Living in Key West, Florida

For those of you used to large bases, you will not find that here. The island is only 4×2 and consists of a couple of smaller islands that hold the bases.

I can say many things about Key West, since I was born and raised there. I spent approx. 26 years on the island so my knowledge can come in handy. Utilize the base commissary as much as possible except for produce get that at Publix.  Our commissary is quite small, most normal bases would call it a mini mart compared to theirs. I have tons of bad and good things to say about the base. Instead I would like to show you the amazing things that can be done on the island.

The adventure awaits…

First, Key West Chickens DO cross the road, Why? Just because they are everywhere.

Living in Key West, Florida

Dolphin Research Center has so much amazing fun and you can even meet the descendants of the REAL FLIPPER, You can even have one of them pain you a masterpiece.

Living in Key West, Florida

 

Living in Key West, Florida

The ocean life is a miracle. Meet the amazing pod of Manatee that lived behind my house.

image01

 

Living in Key West, Florida

Fury Water Adventures has everything from WaveRunners, Parasailing to snorkeling the only living coral reef in the United States

image03

 

Key West, Florida

Sunrise from my back yard is something that shouldn’t be missed

image04

 

image02

And the sunsets are phenomenal.

So at the end of the day, I cannot bash Key West as much as I want to because the experience is amazing. It will test your relationship, your wallet and your sense of time. But in the end, Key West has memories that I wouldn’t trade for the world.

I may never go back there or choose it as my own duty station, however, it is a once in a lifetime opportunity.

Mindy Brewster is the spouse of a Ret Navy Seabee and mother to two beautiful daughters. She is the Brand Ambassador for Military Spouse Magazine and works with military spouses all over the globe find resources they need through her Dear Mindy column. You can reach her at DearMindyMSM@gmail.com

On Living Near Fort Hamilton In New York City

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On Living Near Fort Hamilton In New York City

Happy to have this guest post by Amanda on living near Ft. Hamilton, in NYC. Please visit my Duty station guest post page for posts on other locations or more information about how you can write a guest post about where you have been stationed.

After I moved to New York City back in 2001, I was prepared to see the sights… things like Broadway shows, Times Square, museums, just to name a few. When I met my future husband in 2005 and we married in 2008, I was introduced to a whole new world called the Army National Guard. My now husband had been a member of some form of the Reserves and National Guard for over 15 years by then and I was thrown right in with no warning or training. The closest I had ever really been to the Armed Forces was hearing stories of my grandfather who had served in WWII and my best friend from high school, who had previously lived on numerous bases through the world before her father retired from the Army in the early 90’s.

While trying to find my way through the crazy terminology, acronyms, regulations, and ever-changing orders that never seemed to be released in a timely manner, I was introduced to a hidden treasure right in our backyard that I had no idea even existed. After we were married, my husband informed me that I needed to get a dependent military ID. The following weekend we hopped the subway and made our way to a neighborhood called Bay Ridge in Brooklyn, where, to my surprise, stood Fort Hamilton.

Fort Hamilton sits right under the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge, which connects Brooklyn to Staten Island, and next to the neighborhood of Bay Ridge in Brooklyn. If you didn’t know an Army base was located there you would never even notice it. But once you do know it is there, there are obvious signs of its presence. For example, the giant American flag that flies over the great lawn and the side-by-side white washed houses that serve as base housing.

Stationed in NYC

 

As a National Guard family, we don’t have an opportunity to live on base, and we really only go on base if we have a specific need to be there such as our unit’s family day, which is normally held on the great lawn just inside the gates. My husband’s actual home station is the Armory in Manhattan, but Fort Hamilton is a much more comfortable location for the kids to come and run around like crazy people for a couple hours. The view of the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge from the great lawn is stunning and I always get a shot of it every time we are there.

Stationed in NYC

In my personal opinion, the general atmosphere is fairly easy going compared to other Army bases that I have visited, such as Fort Dix in New Jersey or West Point in upstate New York. Once you get past the armed guards at the front gates, it almost reminds me of a small college campus than an Army base. We usually end up taking a walk around the grounds just to enjoy the outdoors without fear of being hit by a crazy NYC cab.

Fort Hamilton

Even though it is a smaller base, Fort Hamilton does have many of the same services as the larger bases. Services such as a commissary, Post Exchange, ID services, employment services, dry cleaners, barbershop, and the USO are all available. As a matter of fact, the USO provided entertainment for us at one of our family days. I didn’t catch the name of the group, but they performed all of the WWII favorites. I really wish I had caught Marshall on video because he jumped right up there and was dancing along with them through their whole performance!

Fort Hamilton

Did I mention the barbershop??? You don’t venture on an Army base with your hair too long otherwise you are sent directly to the barbershop!

Fort Hamilton

If you do get the chance to visit Fort Hamilton, prepare for a small town atmosphere in the middle of the big city. In addition, the sights and sounds of New York City are just a quick 20-minute subway ride away!

 

Amanda Olvera is a true Michigan girl living in New Jersey with her husband, 4 year old son, 3 kitties, and beta fish. She has been a military spouse since 2008 and is still working her way through all the rules, regulations, and balancing her family’s civilian life with that of the National Guard. She works full time as an IT Project Manager in New York City. She recently discovered the crazy world of running and was surprised to find she enjoys it! She also enjoys a good book, which fills the time during her daily commute into the city. She is currently working towards a Masters in Project Management from Stevens Institute of Technology and studying to sit for her PMP certification. She also has a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Central Michigan University and a Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice from John Jay College of Criminal Justice. She blogs at The Calm Before The Storm (https://arngspouse.blogspot.com) and you can follow her on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/OlveraMarshallFamily) and Twitter (https://twitter.com/Mandakay0625).

Guest Post: Camp Zama, Japan Part 2

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Here is the 2nd part of Jes’s post on Camp Zama.  Make sure to read part one as well 🙂

Jes  blogs at Bleu Dress and Dress Blues!

We have a wonderful spouses club {again, only one, not enough people to support separate enlisted and officer clubs…that’s a recurring theme around here.  It’s not encouraged but it’s not uncommon for the two to mix freely around here}.  ZaCSA {http://zacsa.org/}, the Zama Community Spouses Association, has a plethora of volunteer opportunities and hosts numerous events throughout the year. Some of these events are held with groups of local Japanese women {their groups are exclusively female}, including cooking classes {1, 2, 3} and new years parties {2011, 2012}.  If you get stationed here and are looking for a way to get involved, this is the place to start {we were still in lodging, had been in Japan less than 2 weeks, when I took my 1st cooking class}!

Japan

my 1st Japanese cooking class just days after arriving in Japan

Ok, enough about stuff on base, let’s see if I can begin to describe what life off base can be like when you’re stationed here.  1st, I’ll state the obvious, living in a country where you don’t speak the language is difficult!  It is very easy to be intimidated by the language barrier and never leave base. Those people are the ones who tend to HATE living here and I don’t blame them.  If I never left the base, I would be MISERABLE here too!  If you’ve ever read my blog, you probably know that I am NOT one of those people.  From day one I was determined to make the best of my time here and I am confident that I will leave here feeling like I accomplished that goal.

Japan

embracing my inner Japanese at a temple in Tokyo

The food is…different, but, IMO, good!  My favorite, okonomoyaki, I haven’t blogged about but it’s now on my blogging to-do list!  Yakitori, or grilled chicken on a stick, is a close second and there’s a great joint between Zama and SHA.  There is also a great gyoza {dumpling} restaurant close to SHA.  Sushi here is a tad different that what we’re used to in the US.  Not so many rolls with fancy sauces and toppings, more fish, rice and wasabi.  My mom was a trooper when she came to visit and tried everything I put in front of her which was basically every Japanese food I know!  If you’d like to see more about the food here, I recommend checking out that post.

my mom’s 1st experience with sushi

There are lots of festivals and celebrations that happen throughout the yeah, especially in the summer months.  Some are family friendly, and others are not so PG.  Some you plan to attend {the one US radio station, broadcast from a near by AF base tells you about lots of events going on outside the gate}, some you randomly find by following the noise you hear while out in town for other reasons.

Japan

my friend, Melissa, and me playing a taiko drum.  these are often a part of festivals and celebrations in Japan

Working here can be a bit challenging as there are only a few job opportunities available.  I chose to go the route of teaching English.  There are companies here who match Americans with Japanese students who want to study English.  They make it very easy for you to get started.  I also teach a group of WONDERFUL Japanese ladies at a local community club.  These women have made my time here in Japan so much more enriching.

Japan

the ladies that I teach at the community center

Shopping in Japan can be difficult, especially if you aren’t super thin.  Even as a size 4-6 US, I have trouble finding clothes that fit sometimes.  And shoes?  I don’t even bother, my size 9 is non existent here!  The style here is a bit different than it is in America.  I embrace it, others don’t, but I’ve always been a tad on the funky side of fashion.  I’ve shared my shopping experiences here and here.   Most of us rely on online shopping though!

Japan

a sampling of some of the more extreme fashion seen in Tokyo

  Driving and parking can also be challenging for some.  The roads are small, the cars are small and the parking spots are even smaller and slightly complicated to figure out! {I highly recommend NOT bringing your car here.  It’s very costly and large American cars don’t fit on the road here very easily} Your best bet, stick to the trains!  They go just about every where, they’re efficient, very easy to navigate and way less stressful than driving!

Japan

watching a train driver on a local train

It took me a while, but I did find a few places to volunteer out in the community where at least some people speak English!  Through a local photographer, I found a food bank in Tokyo and through that food bank, I found an organization to volunteer with after the Tsunami.

volunteering at the food bank in Tokyo with my dear friend, Melissa

 Japan

Everyday here is an adventure.  You never know when you’ll turn a corner and learn/discover something new.  I think the most important thing is to keep an open mind.  I wasn’t thrilled the 1st time we were out and I had to use the bathroom and could not find a Western style toilet but hey it’s all about gaining life experiences right?

 Japan

a Japanese style toilet AKA squatty potty

There are tons of sights to see here.  I’m quite sure it’s impossible to see everything here in just 3 years but I’m sure going to try my best to knock as many off the list as I can!  I hope you’ll follow along as my journey here continues and if you ever get the opportunity to be stationed here, I hope you jump on it!

Japan

Daibutsu located about an hour away in Kamakura, Japan

I could go on and on about life here but I think that is more than enough for now.  If you have any questions about life in Japan, please don’t hesitate to send me an email.

PS, I asked some friends and we come up with these tips if you happen to be PCS’ing to Camp Zama:

1.  Our PX is small, very small.  It has most of the necessities but if you are particular about a certain product, especially make-up or hair color or shampoo/conditioner, etc.  I suggest you bring those things with you.

2.  We have a clinic on site for regular check-ups and day to day health issues but we do NOT have a hospital/ER. If you find your self in a situation like this one, or are/become pregnant here, you will be seen at either Yokota AFB or Yokosuka Naval Base {both are any where from 1-3 hours away by car depending on traffic}.  Time sensitive emergency cases can be taken to a much closer Japanese ER and the base will provide you with a translator.  As far as pregnancies go, you will travel to one of those bases for all of your appointments through out your pregnancy and then about 2 weeks before your due date, they set you and your spouse up in a hotel there so you are close by when the time comes to deliver.  I have no personal experience with this but from what I hear, it’s a pretty nice set up.

3.  Most people like to take advantage of the numerous mountains near by, especially Mt Fuji.  If you intend to do any hiking here, I recommend purchase quality boots before you come.  You can find some boots off base but they are usually 2-3 times what you would pay for the same shoe in the US.

4.  Also footwear related.  RAIN BOOTS!  Public transportation is huge here and the rainy season gives us up to 3 months of pretty steady rain.  The last thing you want is to be walking around without proper protection.  You may want to invest in some rain gear before you arrive.  Rain boots & a rain jacket at minimum are pretty essential items here!