Any ladies out here living there?
The selection of orders came out today and Guam was one of the choices we could chose..

What is it like? Thoughts? Please, just help me out..

We don't know what to do..

Search this part of the forum. There are a few threads about Guam in here. We used to live there and we have several ladies that are currently there. We loved it out there and I know DH would love to go back if he were still in the military

Great! Thank you so much!!!

Ditto to what Kris said! We would love to go back too. The only reason we are not so keen on it is because we get DHs kids summers and holidays and flights to and from the island can get spendy, especially when you have to fly at least twice per year.

We live in FL now, is the BAH the same or different? I tried going to the website and it told me the zip code was not found.

We live in FL now, is the BAH the same or different? I tried going to the website and it told me the zip code was not found.

http://perdiem.hqda.pentagon.mil/perdiem/ohaform.html

That should tell you the bah for guam......you can look up by location code or by the country, in the drop down bar.

In Guam you get COLA-cost of living allowance- and OHA-overseas housing allowance- (if you live out in town). It's like BAH but you don't get to keep the extra that's left over. You also get money for utilities. The amount you can get depends on your husband's rank. You don't get the OHA and utility money if you live on base, but you do get the COLA no matter what. Does that makes sense?

Alot of people like to live on base because of the power bills out in town are outrageous. A good friend of mine has to keep the water heater off until 30 minutes before her and her Dh take a shower, they keep everything unplugged and their AC is on low in only one room at a time for them to afford it and he's an E5.

Base housing is nice. Do you have kids? I'll get you the link to the different ones soon. I got to find it again.

The island is apx. 30x12 miles at it's largest point. There are mountains all over the island. The scenery is very beautiful here. There are two seasons-rainy and dry. Typhoons (hurricanes) can happen here, but there hasn't been one in a while. Occasionally, you'll feel earthquakes but they are pretty minor. Also, in the case that a typhoon does hit, your the safest on base and the water and electricity comes back faster than it does if you live out in town.

There isn't THAT much to do as far as attractions, but if you enjoy the outdoors then you will love it here. There are plenty of outdoor activities and travel opportunities through the MWR. There are beaches on and off base, and you can camp on the beach at the Air Force base. DH and I did that and had a great time last Memorial Day weekend. On the big navy base, there is a bowling alley, a marina (where you can rent kayaks, boats, etc.) and a movie theatre that is really cheap. Scuba diving and snorkeling is really big here.

There are some comforts from home- familar resturants and fast food places, high dollar stores (like Tiffany's, Dooney and Bourke, Coach, etc) in the Tuman Bay tourist area, K-mart, Macy's, Motherhood Maternity ..to name a few. The local food is really good here though!!!

The locals are alright. Most like the military, but there is alot of hostility about the marine buildup coming up in the next few years. Be prepared for that.

Japan and the United States have agreed to aim to complete the relocation of 8,000 U.S. Marines and dependants from Okinawa Prefecture to Guam in six years by 2012, a Japanese Defense Agency official said.

If you are interested in college, you can attend University of Maryland and University of Guam classes here.

Plane tickets are expensive and the flight to and from the states is LOOONGG!

This is Navy website for guam.
www.guam.navy.mil

This is the MWR site. You can see what goes on around base and what things they offer.
http://www.mwrguam.com/

This sight is all about Guam.
http://www.guampedia.com/


Details about the island
Indigenous people: Chamorros, who first settled the island some 4,500 years ago.

Capital: Hagåtña

Leadership: Governor Felix Perez Camacho, Lt. Governor Dr. Michael W. Cruz, Congressional Delegate Madeleine Z. Bordallo, Legislative Speaker Judith Won Pat

Political Status: Organized, unincorporated territory of the United States.

Economy: Mainly supported by tourism particularly from Japan, Korea and the United States armed forces. The military is the secondary economic force.

Slogans: Tano I’ ManChamorro (Land of the Chamorros). As the United States westernmost territory: “Where America’s Day Begins.”

Villages: Asan-Maina, Agana Heights, Agat, Barrigada, Chalan Pago-Ordot, Dededo, Hagåtña, Inarajan, Mangilao, Merizo, Mongmong-Toto-Maite, Piti, Santa Rita, Sinajana, Talofofo, Tamuning-Tumon, Umatac, Yigo, and Yona.

Land Area: 212 square miles ( 549 square kilometers )

Location: Latitude 13.28 degrees North and Longitude 144.47 East, largest and southernmost of the Mariana Islands in the Micronesian region of the Pacific.

Official Languages: English and Chamorro

Time: Chamorro Standard Time (Greenwich Mean Time +10)

Population: 162,000 (2006 census update)

Currency: U.S. Dollar

Climate: Between 75-86 degrees Fahrenheit (26-30 degrees Celsius) Averaging 81 degrees Fahrenheit (28 degrees Celsius)

Seasons: Dry season between January and May; Rainy season between October and December.

Rainfall: Annual average is approximately 80 inches (2,509 millimeters)

Guam Territorial Bird: Ko’ko’ or Guam Rail.

Guam Territorial Tree: Ifit or Ifil (Intsia Bijuga).

Guam Territorial Flower: Puti tai nobio or Bougainvillea.


I think I've got mostly everything covered. If you have any more questions, I can try to answer them. I hope this helps. :D

Chelly- THANK YOU SOOOOOO MUCH for ALL the info you provided! I don't believe I have any more questions.

We do have 1 son, he's almost 9 months old, so he'll be over a year when we move, (if we get selected for these). We put it down as our 1st choice.

I am off to look at the links you have provided!!

And, again, thank you!!

http://perdiem.hqda.pentagon.mil/perdiem/ohaform.html

That should tell you the bah for guam......you can look up by location code or by the country, in the drop down bar.


Thank you!

List of current homes for rent or sale in guam
http://www.guamrealtors.com/

OHA rates
https://www.housing.navy.mil/onestop/_moneymatters/OHA.aspx?bid=61

Pictures of Housing
https://www.housing.navy.mil/onestop/_hqd/?bid=61

Look for the Navy Welcome Aboard Package from the Fleet and Family Services
ffscguam@guam.navy.mil

https://www.cnic.navy.mil/Guam/OperatingForcesSupport/Housing/index.htm
This website is very important too! There are other options under menu.

Apply for Housing

Prior to arriving on island, individuals with dependents should contact the Family Housing Office to schedule an appointment at (671) 333-2081/2. You are further advised to submit an advanced housing application (DD-1746) to verify housing eligibility and planning of government quarters availability. This determines if TLA will be authorized and forhow long. Applications should be faxed to (671) 339-2462, emailed to n72a@guam.navy.mil, or mailed to: Naval Base Guam Housing Office, PSC 455, Box 50, FPO AP 96540-0051 along with a copy of the member's orders and service record page 2 (for dependent verification).

TLA Policy

Incoming service members with families will be authorized TLA pending assignment to government quarters. Members MUST contact the Visitors Quarters (VQ) at (671)339-5259 for reservations or obtain a "NON-AVAILIBILITY" letter with a control number prior to making reservations with a TLA approved hotel.

Upon arrival, members must report to their command and PSD/Disbursing to receive a TLA Brief. TLA is not authorized in "while in transit" and orders must be stamped. Individuals are also required to report to the Family Housing office within 48 hours of arrival in order to be eligible for TLA. You must report to the Family Housing Office even if you have already purchased a home or plan on buying one, found a place to rent, and/or plan to live with family or friends.




No problem at all. I was so lost moving over here. I wish I had known where to look for all this information.

Also- do you have pets? If so, you'll have to get the process started as soon as you find out you're coming here. I'll get you that information if you need it.

I do have a cat, Jill. I'm not sure how much longer she's going to be around. She's pretty old. :-(

What do you think our chances are of getting selected for it? We put it down as our only choice... we should know by August 2nd..

I am in Guam :) In the base reviews section, I wrote a bunch of stuff about this place! I love it my first year..........but then the endless summer really started getting to me...LOL! I LOVE the cold and hate the heat! If you love the beach, snorkeling/diving, warm/hot weather, and you don't mind limited shopping.........you would probably enjoy it here :)

Jenn

Are you planning on having your cat shipped to Guam if you do get selected? This island is rabies free so there's some things you need to get done before you come to avoid the full quarantine here. There is a minimum of 5 day quarantine though.

I think you'll have a pretty good chance. I know when we came over there were alot of billets for this place. Will your SO be on shore or sea duty here?