Careers: Military--Army, Navy, Airforce, Marines, Coast Guard/station 2yrs okinawa, Japan

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Expert: - 5/10/2007


Question
i am a newlywed, my navy e4 husband got stationed in okinawa, Japan and i wasnt added to his page 2 before he left because his command is over there in Japan and he wasnt attached over here so they couldnt modify his orders.  ONce he adds me, do u think i can go with him? and once im added how long do u think it will take for the orders to ship me out there will take.  I want to be with him and i miss him so much can u add any and all information that u can to make this move a smooth transition im very worried help!!! pls respond to my email address

Answer
Greetings Michelle -

Although I am not familiar with the particulars of how the Navy does things different than the Air Force, I do know that there are two types of overseas assignments: Accompanied and unaccompanied.

If your husband was authorized to be assigned overseas on an accompanied tour, now that he is married he should be able to have his orders amended to have you join him.  I will tell you, however, that these are usually 4-year tours for the Air Force.  2-year tours are usually unaccompanied.  But, I do know that the Navy does things differently.  I would suggest you contact the personnel office at your base to find out the specifics.

I would hope your husband is working on this, as it is his responsibility to process any amendments to get you assigned with him.  I wish I could give you some better news, but it seems as though you are having to play a waiting game until the Navy decides what it is going to do.

Good luck.

Sincerely,
James Bell

Careers: Military--Army, Navy, Airforce, Marines, Coast Guard

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James Bell

Expertise

I am a retired MSgt (2004) with 24 years experience in the aircrew career field, both as a loadmaster (AFSC 1A2x1) and flight engineer (AFSC 1A1x1). I have been to every continent at one time or another, and regularly flew 300 to 500 hours a year. I have been involved in the operations in Grenada, Panama, Kosovo, Afghanistan and Iraq. I can answer most questions you may have about enlisted Air Force life in general, assignments, benefits, and enlisted aircrew operations. NOTE: If you have specific recruiting and/or medical questions about how to get into this career field as a civilian, they have changed since my time, so that is best answered by a recruiter or MEPS. I can answer questions about military personnel wanting to RETRAIN. If you are asking about being an Air Force pilot, please be advised my area of expertise is ENLISTED aircrew operations, NOT OFFICERS.

Experience

Loadmaster (AFSC 1A2x1): 7 years - 2,000 hours - C-5A Galaxy cargo plane. Flight Engineer (AFSC 1A1x1C): 7 years - 2,500 hours - C-141B Starlifter cargo plane, 10 years - 3,800 hours - KC-10A Extender aerial tanker. Served as aircrew Flight Instructor, Flight Evaluator and Training Manager

Education/Credentials
Aircraft Loadmaster Initial Qualification - 1980. Mission Qualification (C-5A) - 1981. Fixed Wing Aircraft Performance Course - 1987. Initial Flight Engineer Qualification (C-141B) - 1987. Mission Qualification (KC-10A) - 1988. KC-10 Initial Qualification Course - 1994. Mission Qualification (KC-10A) - 1995. Instructor Qualficiation (KC-10A) - 1997. Evaluator Qualification (KC-10A) - 2000.

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