Relocation Services

Newcomers’ Orientation Welcome Aboard (NOWA)

Accompanied USMC and USN personnel (all ranks), civilian employees, family members age 10 and up, and unaccompanied USMC and USN personnel (E-6 and above) are required to attend a NOWA brief. NOWA brief attendance is required to obtain a Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA) privately owned vehicle (POV) driver’s license. Please contact the Installation Safety Office at 645-7219 to inquire about taking the SOFA POV license examination prior to attending a NOWA brief. A valid stateside driver’s license is required to obtain a SOFA driver’s license. MCCS will facilitate the NOWA brief with the assistance of installation leaders and program subject matter experts. With the current staff shortage and limited availability of childcare spaces, free walk-in childcare may not be available. However, all requests for childcare for children under the age of 10 may be considered by calling the Child and Youth Program Resource and Referral office at 645-4117, or by visiting their office located in building 495 on Camp Foster. Children under the age of 10 will be permitted to attend the NOWA brief; however, parents should be made aware that the information being presented during the brief may not be considered appropriate for this age group.

- Two copies each of web order (USMC)/original order (USN) and Area Clearance/Dependent Entry Approval message, valid driver’s license, and valid identification card are required for SOFA POV license testing (for family members) immediately following the NOWA brief.

Active duty personnel under the age of 25 must bring a certificate of completion for Driver’s Awareness (USMC)/Driving for Life (USN) training. Please register at https://www.mccsokinawa.com/relocation

PCS Flowcharts

Check out our Accompanied and Unaccompanied PCS Flowcharts that provides step-by-step diagrams for the major relocation processes needed for Marines, Sailors and their families to relocate to Okinawa. These flowcharts are available

August 03 August 10 August 17 August 24 August 31 0730-1440

0730-1440

0730-1440

0730-1440

0730-1440 Camp Foster Community Ctr. Camp Foster Community Ctr. Camp Foster Community Ctr. Camp Foster Community Ctr. Camp Foster Community Ctr.

For more information, please visit us online at: www.mccsokinawa.com/relocation

In-Person Smooth Move Workshop

The Smooth Move Workshop provides pre-departure and destination information on travel entitlements, base and community information, financial concerns, employment opportunities, and much more. Orders are not required and family members are encouraged to participate.

August 15 0800-1030 Camp Foster Bldg. 5908

Virtual Smooth Move Workshop

The self-paced 2 hour virtual Smooth Move Workshop provides pre-departure and destination information on travel entitlements, base and community information, financial concerns, employment opportunities, and much more.

In-Person Sponsorship Training

Get the most up-to-date information on regulations and policies affecting PCS moves to Okinawa. This includes a full explanation of the sponsor’s roles and responsibilities, and information about the resources in place to assist with a sponsorship assignment with COVID-19 regulations.

August 02 0900-1100 Camp Kinser Bldg. 1220

August 09 0900-1100 Camp Courtney Bldg. 4425

August 16 0900-1100 Camp Foster Bldg. 439

August 23 0900-1100 Camp Hansen Bldg. 2339

In-Person Sponsorship Coordinator Training

This workshop is designed to train Unit Sponsorship Coordinators (USC) to better understand their roles, duties and responsibilities in the unit’s Sponsorship program. This class will review all pertinent orders and directives, the Functional Area Inspection (FAI) checklist items and update all USC’s on changes within the program.

August 16 1300-1500 Camp Foster Bldg. 439

For more information, please visit us online at: www.mccsokinawa.com/relocation