Hey everyone:) I'm pretty new here, this is actually my first post :) I've read the other posts about Japan but since most of you guys on here are Navy wives I'm not sure it'll be the same for me? My husband is a Marine... he works on F-18s *inspecting them*....so does anyone know what base we'd be at?? When they deploy for his job they go to Iwakuni...but I've heard they've gone to Okinawa too. I'm so confused. We've been in San Diego *our first duty station* since November 2003 and I want to go overseas. Most likely would be Japan...so I'm trying to get some info now. Anyone been there? How much is COLA anyway?? Sorry I have 20?s:nutts >>>>


~~~Sharon:)

You could be at either but the majority are based in Oki. Oki is a beautiful place - I'd really recommend it. Avoid Iwakuni at all costs!!

Iwakuni sucks balls. You'd more than likely be with MALS12 (since he's working on the F18) and MALS12 sucks worse than Iwakuni. (If that's even possible. :nutts)

Oh and COLA sucks balls too. They keep lowering it because they think that the cost of living isn't bad here. We get a little over $500 each month in COLA and we're E-4, 1 dependent, 5 years in.

We are on Okinawa. It's a beautiful island with so much to do and see. You are near many places that you can take a hop to. My best friend's husband is a Marine, they like it here. Like a previous poster said, they do keep lowering the COLA, but it seems to be leveling off.