Relocation Assistance

Your Military and Family Support Center provides relocation assistance to help make PCS moves as smooth as possible. Resources include:

• PCS planning: Most relocation assistance programs offer consultations to help you with the moving process. If this your first military move, your first time moving overseas or you have challenging or complex circumstances contact your installation Relocation Assistance Program as soon as possible for support.
• Plan My Move: An online Defense Department relocation tool that provides you with customizable checklists and links to helpful resources for the tasks ahead.
• Military OneSource: A website and call center that offer 24/7 support for moving information and resources. Learn more about PCS basics and download this fact sheet 7 Steps to Make Your Household Goods Move a Smart Move. For comprehensive moving resources and information, including Defense Personal Property log in details, visit Moving Your Personal Property.
• Workshops and briefings: Workshops vary by location. You may find classes on housing options, moving with children, moving with pets and more.
• Predeparture briefings: These sessions provide essential information about your move and may be required for some populations.
• Special needs: If you have a child or family member enrolled in the Exceptional Family Member Program, contact your installation EFMP-Family Support office to assist you.
• Settling-in services: Look for welcome programs or local area tours that may offered. Overseas services may include introductory language classes and cultural awareness activities.
• Foreign-born spouse support: Assistance includes information and referral to resources such as immigration and naturalization.
• Emergency assistance: Sometime emergencies occur while moving. The Military and Family Support Center has the resources to provide emergency financial assistance, as well as information and referrals.
• Authorized housing flexibility options: Eligible service members with PCS orders may be entitled to flexibilities such as extended stays in government housing and early housing eligibility. Contact your military personnel office for more information.
• Spouse licensure reimbursement: Your service branch may reimburse spouses up to $1,000 for relicensure and certification costs resulting from relocations or PCS moves. See this Military OneSource article Transferring Your Professional License for more information and specific service branch policies.

Located in Building 220, the Kadena Military and Family Readiness Center offers a host of services to assist members and families. For assistance or information on services, please call 011-81-98-961-3366 or DSN 315-634-3366. Hours of operation are Monday through Friday from 7:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. excluding holidays and Pacific Air Forces family days. Base and local information is also available.

Military Personnel Section requires members to check in with their commander's support staff within 24 hours of arrival. 

Newcomer's Orientation is held on most Thursday's throughout each month. Registration is required. Attendance is mandatory for all military personnel and DoD Civilians. The orientation includes information from various agencies which helps members to maintain residency and effectively contribute to their unit's mission. Registration for Newcomers can be done via the Tockify website: www.tockify.com/kadenamfrc/pinboard. During Newcomer's Orientation there is also the Shogun Bus Tour to get you acquainted with the base facilities and help you to get around. Please plan accordingly. 

Installation-Specific Information

Kadena M&FRC consultants know how difficult moving can be and are ready to assist you with your relocation. Support services include, but are not limited to, Information and Referral, relocation planning, individual consultation, cultural awareness, family life education, personal financial management and emergency assistance.

Helpful Tips -- Bring all your summer clothes due to the semi-tropical climate in Okinawa. Winters are cool and damp, so a jacket and a few sweaters will be necessary. A dehumidifier is absolutely necessary - if you already have one, bring it. Mold develops quickly on this island and moldy clothes and shoes are no fun. New or used dehumidifiers may also be purchased once you are on the island.

The voltage here is 110 to 120 volts, 60 cycles. While most appliances seem to work without problems, transformers may be needed for off-base housing, usually for more expensive appliances such as stereos, computers, hair appliances and microwaves but they can be purchased here, both new and used, if necessary.

Air conditioning is installed in on-base housing and only off-base housing with A/C is approved by the housing office so you will not need to bring a window unit yourself. You may want to consider bringing fans with you as they may come in handy during the summer months.

Local area telephone dialing instructions for on- and off-base numbers can be found on the Kadena contacts listing.

Be sure to check out OESC Thrift Shop and Uncle Sam's Attic located in Building 859. Uncle Sam's Attic offers E4s and below free quality items donated by members of the Kadena community. Please keep in mind the thrift shop is USD cash-only. 

If you enjoy watching TV, cable is available on base. However, for off-base homes, cable is unavailable. Off-base homes should receive one AFN channel but will require a satellite to receive additional channels. For those living off-base, check with the base exchange about satellite connection.

To avoid problems processing through customs, do not bring pornographic material, CB radios, handguns, knives with blades in excess of 2.5 inches, nasal sprays, fruits, vegetables, meats, or plants (including cut flowers) in your personal carry-on luggage. Any prescribed medications should be in the prescription container in which it was issued.

While you are settling in, take advantage of the many free cultural awareness classes and workshops offered by the Kadena M&FRC. These popular cultural awareness classes include Japanese language classes, sanshin lessons, grocery store shopping, and immigrant VISA information.

Childcare for PCS Program -- This Air Force Aid Society program provides Air Force families up to 20 hours of free child care per child for up to 60 days after arrival to Kadena. Care is provided through licensed family child care providers. With a copy of your orders, you may obtain a child care voucher and a listing of licensed providers from the Kadena M&FRC, in Building 220, in advance of your arrival. This service provides parents an opportunity to attend in-processing appointments while children are in a safe environment. The FCC Coordinator can also be contacted @ 634-0514, Bldg 1850 for an up to date licensed provider listing.