Sponsorship Program

Here's a map of Okinawa with details on camp locations, resources for Marines and Sailors moving here, info on Air Force and Army presence, and helpful tips for your time on the island.
The Newcomer’s Orientation Welcome Aboard brief is mandatory for all accompanied USMC and USN Service Members, family members (military and civilian), children ages 16 and up, all unaccompanied USMC and USN (E-6 and above) Service Members and civilian personnel. New arrivals are required to attend the NOWA brief within 72 hours of arrival.

ALL E-5 and below unaccompanied Marines and Sailors assigned to Marine units arriving on Okinawa, please read the Joint Reception Center (JRC) Welcome Aboard Letter.

  • Event: In-person Newcomers’ Orientation Welcome Aboard (NOWA) Brief
  • Times: 0645 - Arrival time for any Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA) privately owned vehicle (POV) license testers, Japanese license holders, and within Japan transfers (Any personnel who arrive after the 0700 SOFA POV licensing examination start time will not be permitted to enter the testing area).
  • 0700 – 0830 - SOFA POV license examination (Optional if completing before/after the NOWA Brief at the Installation Safety Office).
  • 0815 - Arrival time for non-POV SOFA license examination testers
  • 0830 – 1300 - Mandatory NOWA Brief
Location: Camp Foster Ocean Breeze, Northern Breeze Room, 2nd FL
Attire: Proper civilian attire or uniform of the day

Per the United States Forces, Japan Instruction 36-2811, all SOFA status personnel and their family members stationed in Japan are required to complete an indoctrination training program within 72 hours of arrival to their permanent duty station. The NOWA Brief satisfies this requirement.

Children ages 16 years and older are required to attend a NOWA Brief.*

*A Youth and Teen Tour will be available for newcomers ages 10 - 15 years and will consist of visits to the following Camp Foster facilities: Kishaba Youth Center, Base Exchange, Library, and Bowling Center. The tour will depart from Camp Foster Ocean Breeze parking lot at 0840 and return at 1130 in time for the youth and teens to join their parents for the Information Fair. Please note that seating is limited to 28 participants. Parents are highly encouraged to pre-register their youth and teens when signing up for the NOWA brief.

Children aged 15 years and younger are not required to attend a NOWA Brief.

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/mccs-newcomers-orientation-welcome-aboard-tickets-1042519532987?aff=oddtdtcreator

 


 
3d Marine Logistics Group