Development-Resources

PERSONAL & PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENTRESOURCES

Relocation Services

New accompanied (all ranks) and unaccompanied (E-6 and above) arrivals are required to attend the Newcomers’ Orientation Welcome Aboard (NOWA) brief to receive a Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA) driver’s permit. The brief covers mandated topics and includes cultural briefs and presentations on facilities and activities around Okinawa. FREE childcare is available on a limited, space-available basis and FREE bus transportation is provided.

Loan locker items are available to all incoming service members, DoD civilians and their family members who are inbound or outbound on Permanent Change of Station (PCS) orders. Dishware, flatware and more are available FREE of charge. All that’s needed is a copy of your orders, area clearance or equivalent PCS documentation. To download a copy of the Loan Locker agreement, visit the “Smooth Move Toolkit” tab at mccsokinawa.com/relocation.

The Smooth Move Workshop is designed to help ensure service members a smooth move by offering information about checkout procedures, shipping household goods, PCS entitlements and financial concerns, along with other relocation services. Call 645-8395/7494/2104/2106, visit mccsokinawa.com/relocation or email mcbb_reloassist@usmc.mil for more details on these and other relocation services.

Cultural Awareness and Adaptation

Personal & Professional DevelopmentResources Centers offer a variety of FREE cultural programs including traditional Okinawan arts and crafts, Japanese language classes and local cultural orientation tours. For more information on these or other offerings, call 645-3127/2157/2104/2106 or visit mccsokinawa.com/culturalawareness.

Personal Financial Management

A variety of hands-on workshops are available in which attendees prepare financial statements, develop budgets, learn about first-time investments and much more. Classes include Saving and Investing, Credit Report Analysis, Home Buying, Money Management and more. For details, call 6452104/2106 or visit mccsokinawa.com/ personal_finance_management. Information, Resource & Referral

Personal readiness is paramount to success in today’s military environment and Information & Referral (I&R) Specialists provide comprehensive resource and referral services to assist with readiness needs. The Personal and Professional Development-Resources (P&PD-R) Centers are also the central point of contact for Military OneSource, providing customized briefs and localized information. I&R specialists are available to coordinate specialized training to meet unit-readiness needs. Financial-readiness briefs and workshops on a wide variety of topics are available upon request as well. Contact the I&R specialists at 6452104/2106 or email MCBB_PPDR_re quest@usmc.mil to arrange PME, GMT and other unit-specific training. For the latest updates, visit mccsokinawa.com/ relocation.

Transition Readiness Program (TRP)

The Transition Readiness Program provides transition assistance, information, training and services to eligible service members to prepare them to be career ready when they transition back to civilian life. The program promotes awareness of the Career Readiness Standards (CRS) service members must meet to create a successful transition plan.

The Transition Readiness Seminar (TRS) is required for all active-duty service members separating from service. Per DoDI 1332.35 and MARADMIN 632/19, all service members must complete an Individualized Initial Counseling (IC) with Transition Readiness staff within 12-18 months from separation or 12-24 months from retirement. During the IC, the pathway that service members will be required to complete, as well as if a two-day track is needed, will be determined. Call 645-3151 for more details.

Individual Counseling & Pre-Separation Counseling

Pre-Work Checklist: This phase is when service members have connected with their UTC and begin completing various requirements including registering for programs as mandated in MCO 1700.31, and as defined by public law through the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA).

Individual Counseling (IC appoint-

ment): This appointment’s goal is to determine the required courses service members need to complete prior to separation. The IC appointment is a service member-lead discussion where topics such as VA Benefits, finance, social support, education and employment goals are discussed.

Once a Pre-Work Checklist has been completed, service members must schedule an IC appointment via mccsokinawa.com/transition. This IC is valid for 24 months after completion.

Pre-Separation Counseling:

This counseling session covers by law information including benefits, entitlements and resources for eligible transitioning service members. This Pre-Separation Counseling is valid for 24 months after completion.

Transition Readiness Seminar (TRS)

This seminar is the core course curriculum for all service members exiting service. TRS runs for three days and is comprised of six courses: Managing Your Transition, MOC Crosswalk, Personal Financial Planning for Transition, VA Benefits and Services, Employment Fundamentals of Career Transition and Reserve Opportunity and Obligation. Call 645-3151 for more details.

Pre-Retirement Workshop

The Pre-Retirement Workshop is offered eight times a year and is dedicated to retiring military personnel. This workshop will inform retirees on all aspects related to retirement such as VA Benefits, TRICARE, financial planning, career readiness and much more. It’s a great way to get connected with resources and benefits service members have earned for dedicated years of service. Personnel are encouraged to attend two years prior to retiring. For more details, call 645-3151.

Pathways on the 2-Day Track (As Required)

Upon completion of an IC appointment, a counselor may have recommended or mandated that a service member attend one of four different pathways—each designed to meet a specific transition goal.

Manage Your Education (MYE)

is designed for service members who are interested in pursuing higher education goals. The entrepreneurship track, Boots to Business (B2B), provides information and resources to locate financial support, mentorship, and for developing business plans for those wanting to start their own company.

The Career & Credential Explora-

tion (C2E) is a course for those who are unsure of what they want to do. This course will help explore training and credentialing programs for various career fields.

TheDepartment of Labor

Employment Track was created for the service member who is ready to enter the workforce in the industry of their choosing, and will help them better understand modern employment practices. Call 645-3151 for more details on these offerings.

Employment Assistance Program

Looking for a job? Employment assistance classes are essential for service members and their family members who are interested in starting an on-island job search or preparing to transition back to the U.S. These classes provide up-to-date information on hiring trends in the U.S. and information regarding the on-island employment processes.

The classes cover topics such as résumé writing, the federal jobs application process, federal résumé writing, interview skills, professional communication and career assessments. Call 645-3151 for more information.

Families Ovecoming Under Stress (FOCUS)

FOCUS offers training designed to strengthen couples and families in readiness for tomorrow. It builds on current strengths and teaches practical skills related to the challenges of military life, including stress, injury and other transitions. During FOCUS, families and couples practice perspective and become closer by developing a shared understanding of their experience. FOCUS training is confidential, FREE and offers services at familyfriendly hours. FOCUS services are also available via the virtual TeleFOCUS program, allowing families and couples to meet with a FOCUS provider via video teleconference. Families and couples can use TeleFOCUS when sessions are difficult to make in person. For more information about FOCUS or to schedule an appointment, call 645-6077.

Exceptional Family Member Program

The Exceptional Family Member Program (EFMP) is designed to help ensure that Marine family members with special needs receive the care they need. The primary purpose of EFMP is to provide coordination and support throughout the assignment process, ensuring the availability and accessibility of needed services for the family while meeting the mission of the USMC. EFMP works together with other military and civilian agencies to provide a comprehensive, multi-agency approach for community, medical, educational and personal support services to families with health and educational needs. Enrollment in EFMP ensures that all necessary services are available for applicable families at the destination installation even before a location is assigned. For more information on EFMP, call 645-9237 or visit mccsokinawa.com/efmp.