...

[tnlrat37]

Chomomo, I was there in 94-95 with 3/7 who were you with there?

[steelrain82]

Make sure you go to the banana show. Just don't eat the banana...or do. It's up to you

and avoid the JP'S at all cost

[chomomo]

Chomomo, I was there in 94-95 with 3/7 who were you with there?

I was up with the 9th ESB,I wasn't 0311, but played alot of games in the jungle due to our company XO & CO served during Vietnam. I still remember getting chewed out by the XO b/c my newly issued parka wouldn't fit over flak jacket.

Good times, wouldn't hesitate to do it again.

[Ahmad]

Update: Yeah, we're all gym rats. Soapie anyone?

Orders back to Kalifornia in April!

[jcourson]

Okinawa is not a deployment, UDP or not. I loved my time there, but as an NCO, I was able to get a drivers license. Also, you can get free cars there during PCS season as well. The best advice is to not be the stereotypical American (loud, obnoxious, rude, and alcoholic). Everyone I knew who complained about Okinawans not liking them fell into that category. I never got anything but politeness, smiles, and high schoolers wanting to get practice their English and/or get photos with me.

getting scuba certified

This is a great idea, best scuba diving of anywhere that I have been stationed, to include Hawaii.

or at least get a speargun.

THIS will land you in Okinawan jail getting fish heads and rice, as it is illegal. Even a 3 prong can be a touchy situation for you, even though it is legal. Kind of depends on how the political climate is at the time (the local governments like to make a big stink from time to time because it always results in the DoD giving them something to calm them down).

[semperfi24]

3/5 1997 Camp Hanson! I miss the Yakisoba and Taco Rice, I wish there was a local place that sold it here!!! And for the record you can become both at the same time a 1) gym rat and 2) Alcoholic!!!

[Ahmad]

3/5 1997 Camp Hanson! I miss the Yakisoba and Taco Rice, I wish there was a local place that sold it here!!! And for the record you can become both at the same time a 1) gym rat and 2) Alcoholic!!!

3/5 is actually in Hansen right now on UDP.

[MustangSteveGT]

Restriction, restriction and more restrictions. Okinawa. Like being 10 years old, all over again. But hey, they have beaches and Japanese historic sights. Arguably biggest sausage fest out of anywhere I've been at in my life.

The women I was with there were the ugliest ones I've ever had but you get what you get out there. They arent the main land breed of Japanese..

[American Samurai]

Wow, bringing back memories. Spent time at Camp Hansen in 94 and again in 96. Taco Rice and Cheese, Beef Yakisoba, Club Shangri-La, White Kitchen for the awesome teriyaki chicken and rice, and absolutely nothing else to do but P.T., go to the gym, or get drunk. At least today's Marines have the internet.

[GunDog]

I was stationed in Okinawa from 6/81 to 1/84. Lived in Kishaba Heights adjacent to Camp Butler/Foster and worked at Kadena AB. Best damn tour of my career and thoroughly enjoyed it. Of course, I was on an accompanied tour with my family. Liberty for the single guys kinda sucks unless you find something worthwhile to occupy your time other than drinking. As others have already stated, Okinawa has some of the most beautiful beaches in the world and also great SCUBA diving and snorkeling. Crystal clear waters where visibility can easily approach 100+ feet. I would usually dive three nights a week (yes, night diving) and twice a day, Saturday and Sunday. Many great dive spots can be reached from the beach but, for an even greater adventure get in some boat dives off of the Keramas and some of the other outlying islands. In the 30 months I was there, I started out as a rookie/novice diver with open water certification, quickly achieved an advanced rating, several specialities, got my divemaster rating and just before I left, my OWSI instructor credentials.

[USMC7579]

H&S 3/9
0351
11/75-12/76
Camp Schwab & WestPac Float
Schwab was cool back in the day.
Happy Birthday Marines

[tnlrat37]

3/5 1997 Camp Hanson! I miss the Yakisoba and Taco Rice, I wish there was a local place that sold it here!!! And for the record you can become both at the same time a 1) gym rat and 2) Alcoholic!!!

Seriously, been looking for Good Yakisoba here forever. Best drunk food ever

[xrayoneone]

Word was there is a Zero in the bay. Nobody I knew ever saw it and we spent plenty of time looking.

[jigenax]

Ah, Oki… fond memories. Lots of Orion beer, SCUBA diving off Sunabe Seawall and the Kerama Islands, Moon Beach… but watch out for Banana spiders and Habu vipers in the CTA and especially in the NTA.