I'm currently deployed, but will be PCSing four months after I get back to home station. Any information, or advice regarding the area, available childcare & schools, or any other helpful information would be greatly appreciated.
I lived at Camp Foster for 3 years. I was on Kadena quite a bit. Are you wanting general information of the area or specifics. When we were here a few years ago the schools on Kadena, and then Zukeran, and Killin Elementary were fantastic. I don't know how old your child/children are. Please don't hesitate to ask questions.
I'm not sure what your career field is, but I can tell you being stationed at Kadena as a single parent will be tough. The base has a lot of exercises, so trying to get childcare lined up before you get there will save you a great deal of stress. Kadena was my toughest assignment during my Air Force career. I worked a lot of long hours due to the mission and all the exercises. My kids ate dinner at my desk on a few occasions. Thankfully, we PCS'd in 2006.
We had problems finding childcare on base for both kids at the CDC, but fortunately we were able to fine a home provider for after school care. The schools on base are pretty good. Base housing is decent and convenient. I would recommend trying to get on the childcare list as soon as possible and if you can, get a home provider lined up just in case. Unless you are exercise exempt, you will work very hard at Kadena.
My family enjoys camping so we would travel to Okuma, which is a military recreation site about 3 hours from Kadena. We also went to Thailand and Hong Kong while stationed there. Kadena was our second tour in Japan. Our family loves the food and culture of Japan. The Okinawans as very friendly. The key to enjoying Japan is experiencing the culture. The 100 Yen stores were my favorite. It's the Japanese version of the Dollar General. Enjoy your tour!
Which branch of service? I can speak to the Air Force experience at Kadena.
T
Thank you! I am in the Air Force. I'm so glad I finally got a hit. Any information you could pass along would be more then welcomed!
I just PCS's from Kadena in June. What kind of info would you like. It is a nice place to be. I really enjoyed my time there.
I lived at Camp Foster for 3 years. I was on Kadena quite a bit. Are you wanting general information of the area or specifics. When we were here a few years ago the schools on Kadena, and then Zukeran, and Killin Elementary were fantastic. I don't know how old your child/children are. Please don't hesitate to ask questions.
I'm not sure what your career field is, but I can tell you being stationed at Kadena as a single parent will be tough. The base has a lot of exercises, so trying to get childcare lined up before you get there will save you a great deal of stress. Kadena was my toughest assignment during my Air Force career. I worked a lot of long hours due to the mission and all the exercises. My kids ate dinner at my desk on a few occasions. Thankfully, we PCS'd in 2006.
We had problems finding childcare on base for both kids at the CDC, but fortunately we were able to fine a home provider for after school care. The schools on base are pretty good. Base housing is decent and convenient. I would recommend trying to get on the childcare list as soon as possible and if you can, get a home provider lined up just in case. Unless you are exercise exempt, you will work very hard at Kadena.
My family enjoys camping so we would travel to Okuma, which is a military recreation site about 3 hours from Kadena. We also went to Thailand and Hong Kong while stationed there. Kadena was our second tour in Japan. Our family loves the food and culture of Japan. The Okinawans as very friendly. The key to enjoying Japan is experiencing the culture. The 100 Yen stores were my favorite. It's the Japanese version of the Dollar General. Enjoy your tour!
T