Did you know the Military on Okinawa are on down?

Okinawa Military on Lock DownView Edit


Wed, 2008-02-20 06:02 — jkozerski


PERIOD OF REFLECTION





1. THIS IS AN OKINAWA BASED U.S. ARMY, U.S. MARINE CORPS, AND U .S. AIR FORCE COORDINATED MESSAGE.





2. SITUATION: TO ENSURE ALL STATUS OF FORCES AGREEMENT (SOFA) STATUS PERSONNEL UNDERSTAND THEIR ROLES AS AMBASSADORS OF THE UNITED STATES IN JAPAN. AS THE OKINAWA AREA COORDINATOR, I AM DIRECTING ALL SOFA STATUS PERSONNEL TO OBSERVE A PERIOD OF REFLECTION, LIMITING OFF -BASE ACTIVITIES OF A PERSONAL AND RECREATIONAL NATURE.





3. MISSION: EFFECTIVE 0730, 20 FEB 2008, ALL SOFA STATUS PERSONNEL PERMANENTLY OR TEMPORARILY ASSIGNED TO OKINAWA, CAMP FUJI, AND IWAKUNI, JAPAN, OR WHO ARE TRANSITING THROUGH THESE LOCATIONS IN A TAD/TDY/LEAVE STATUS, WILL OBSERVE A PERIOD OF REFLECTION UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE.





4. COMMANDER*S INTENT: MY INTENTION IS TO UTILIZE THE TIME WITHIN THIS PERIOD OF REFLECTION TO REVIEW ALL APPROPRIATE PLANS, PROCEDURES, ORDERS AND REGULATIONS GOVERNING THE CONDUCT OF ALL SOFA STATUS PERSONNEL SERVING IN OKINAWA, CAMP FUJI, AND IWAKUNI, JAPAN. RECENT HIGHLY REPORTED INCIDENTS INVOLVING U.S. SERVICE PERSONNEL SERVING IN JAPAN WARRANT MEASURES BE TAKEN UNTIL SUCH TIME AS TO BRING AN INCREMENTAL RETURN TO A MORE NORMAL STATE OF AFFAIRS. I NEED LEADERS AT ALL ECHELONS IN ALL SERVICES TO HELP REINFORCE WHAT THE VAST MAJORITY DO WELL AS FORWARD SERVING AMBASSADORS OF AMERICA, WHILE WE COLLECTIVELY POLICE OUR RANKS TO IDENTIFY THOSE FEW INDIVIDUALS WHO WOULD DESTROY OUR GOOD STANDING AND REPUTATION WITH THE JAPANESE PEOPLE. I FULLY INTEND TO DEMONSTRATE OUR COMMITMENT TO EXEMPLARY COMMUNITY RELATIONS THAT APPROPRIATELY CAPTURE THE PROFESSIONALISM AND GOOD WILL OF THE AMERICAN PEOPLE. THANK YOU FOR YOUR UNDERSTANDING AND PATIENCE DURING THESE DIFFICULT TIMES. YOUR OVERWHELMINGLY SUPERB BEHAVIOR AND EXEMPLARY CONDUCT IS NOT LOST ON ANY OF YOUR LEADERS WHO REMAIN INTENSELY PROUD OF YOUR SERVICE AND PATRIOTISM. THANK YOU FOR ALL YOU DO AND FOR BEING WHO YOU ARE.





4.A. CONCEPT OF OPERATIONS: ALL SOFA STATUS PERSONNEL MOVEMENTS ARE LIMITED TO THE FOLLOWING: PLACE OF DUTY PLACE OF EMPLOYMENT PLACE OF WORSHIP PLACE OF EDUCATION PLACE OF MEDICAL, DENTAL, VETERINARY TREATMENT AIRPORTS (FOR THE PURPOSE OF PICKING UP OR DROPPING OFF PASSENGERS OR FOR AUTHORIZED TRAVEL) ALL ON-BASE FACILITIES TO TRANSIT BETWEEN ONE*S AUTHORIZED RESIDENCE, INCLUDING OFF-BASE HOUSING, AND ANY DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE (DOD) INSTALLATION VIA PRIVATELY OWNED VEHICLES, MILITARY SUPPORTED TRANSPORTATION, AND COMMERCIAL TAXI. CURRENTLY SCHEDULED COMMUNITY RELATIONS PROJECTS





4.B. COORDINATING INSTRUCTIONS: EXCEPTIONS TO THIS POLICY ARE DELEGATED TO THE O-6 LEVEL COMMANDERS TO APPROVE PRE-EXISTING AND PRE-REGISTERED OBLIGATIONS OR SPECIAL EVENTS ON A CASE-BY-CASE BASIS .





5. ADMINISTRATION AND LOGISTICS: COMMANDERS ARE REQUIRED TO DISSEMINATE THIS MESSAGE TO ALL SOFA STATUS PERSONNEL.





6. COMMAND AND SIGNAL: *SOFA STATUS PERSONNEL* INCLUDES ALL UNITED STATES ARMED FORCES PERSONNEL, DOD CIVILIANS, DOD INVITED CONTRACTORS, AND THEIR RESPECTIVE FAMILY MEMBERS. 6.A. THIS IS A PUNITIVE ORDER AND AS SUCH VIOLATION OF THIS ORDER BY ARMED FORCES PERSONNEL CAN RESULT IN PUNISHMENT UNDER THE UNIFORM CODE OF MILITARY JUSTICE. ALL OTHER SOFA STATUS PERSONNEL INCLUDING FAMILY MEMBERS ARE REMINDED THEY ARE SUBJECT TO THE FULL RANGE OF ADMINISTRATIVE SANCTIONS INCLUDING LOSS OF COMMAND SPONSORSHIP AND DEBARMENT.

Did you know the Military on Okinawa are on down?
Yeah I'm here in Oki right now and it sux. The reason why we are on lock down is because When the Marine was accused of allegedly raping the 14 yr old girl, the general warned every military personal to stay out of trouble for the following week, and what did some of these guys do, One was arrested for DUI after he snuck out of his barracks, and one drunk marine was arrested for sleeping in a Japanese family's house off base. My dad (Marine, E-9) said another marine was arrested for pissing over the side walk and mooning school kids. Its not the marines its just these individuals who decide to do stupid s***t.
Reply:They have a midnight curfew. That idiot Marine SSG who raped a 14 year old girl should be summarily shot. There are enough hookers hanging out on Gate 2 and BC streets if he was in need of relief.
Reply:We were stationed in Northern Japan for 7 years, with friends in Okinawa, and this isn't that unusual. Unfortunately, the Marines there have a reputation (and at times, a well deserved one) of causing problems. It has gotten to the point the entire area is very anti-military, so even when minor issues occur with off base civilians, extreme measures end of being taken. If something more serious happens..such as a rape, serious fight, property damages or other crimes...it is not unusual for curfews and lock downs to occur while the investigation goes on or until things calm down. We had Marines pass through our base in Misawa several times and they were always under curfews and strict rules about leaving the base while there.
Reply:Ahh...I know!!! I am a civillian with SOFA and I am on lockdown too!! I can't have a friend over because she also lives off base and is confined to her place of duty and her "quarters" Urgh. I am very angry that we are all being treated like we are the rapist. I have friends that can't even walk their dogs off base. What are they supposed to say "hold it until we make it to the nearest base!" AHH. Plus I needs me my sushi! I NEED IT!!! AHHH.... few ::sigh of relief:: thanks for this post, I needed a little bit of venting. At least we are all in it together. I guess the Okinawan people will see that we really help their economy, I hope that the economy takes enough of a beating so that maybe they'll start appreciating us on some level. I can't visit my parents who are also here and live up north. It's depressing. The harsh thing is, is that I volunteer in the local community on my off time. That goes unnoticed. Now I am filthy American in their eyes, confined to her home and to her work. Moral is low enough as it is here. There is nothing for the Marines up North. Aafes is bias. Poor Marines on Hansen and Schwab.





To the poster in Misawa: This is the first lock down I've ever experienced. This is not common here. I've been here five years, and I hear that this has happened only once before where all branches were punished, this was back in the early 90s. So it's not common. It's very cruel. Why should the innocent suffer? Why not ban the red light districts where most of this stuff happens anyway?





Also, my friend had an older Okinawa break into her home and sleep on her couch. She called the local police and they told her that it's not a big deal because he was too drunk to find his way home. He got off with a warning. I am not justifying the crime of the young Cpl. who did the same, I just think people need to realize that crimes happen in all communities and all cultures. Americans are not the only crimminal producers, just because our crimes are reported.
Reply:Take a look at this article...





www.tni.org/asem-seoul/008eiko.htm
Reply:Well, I'm here on Kadena Air Force Base (Okinawa) and morale is low to say the least. I'm angry that this lockdown is punishing ALL OF US! I'm a military spouse. My children and I were looking forward to our whale watching tour Sunday, but we weren't allowed to go so we had to cancel. My kids were SO disappointed and they don't understand why we are all being punished like this for others actions. I have been here almost four years and have seen curfews when I lived off base, but never anything like this. We can't even take a base sponsored tour. Tell me why this should include the dependants of military members? We didn't ask to come here and try very hard to comply with Japanese policies, laws, and etiquette. Well, now we have 4 months left on our tour to get out of this place and I'm counting down. This weekend 18 service members were independantly arrested off base for allegedly breaking the lockdown rules. It's said they are in jail facing court marshals. A family that went out to dinner has been given 48 hours to leave while the husband stays in jail. They are saying that if this keeps up, the March 3rd (rumored)deadline date could extend up to four months! What?! If this happens the Okinawan islanders will be happy to know that they will have one less military family to purchase their goods and support their economy. I will be out of here ASAP with my children. My military spouse agrees. I am not about to spend the last 4 months here on this island in lockdown! I was hoping to leave this island on a good note with good memories, seeing the sights of the island we have yet to see or would like to see again.They don't want us here, well guess what? Some of us don't want to be here either! Here's hoping that it DOES end March 3 or "Sainara"!