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DODD Teachers Chatboard

When to fly out?

by H

Jul 7, 2016

I got the TO today!!! I'm so excited! We're off to Ikego Japan! But I'm a little confused about timing of flying out and starting. The offer says:

Recommended Travel Date: Aug 9 Reporting Date: Aug 23 Classes Begin: Aug 29

But I understand it can take about 2 (or more) weeks before I get the official offer and travel orders, and that I shouldn't do anything too serious before then (sell cars, pack up, give notice of current job, etc). That would take be to about July 22. Then that only leaves me about two weeks to pack up a household and sell everything before the recommended travel date. Is this everyone else's experience? I knew it was going to be crazy, but two weeks seems very crazy!

How much say do we have on when we fly out? And has it been other people's experience that the DOD will reimburse you for hotel & meal expenses up to 10 days before you fly out?

Thanks!

view previous comments

haha We have had great luck with the on base/post credit
unions. In Europe the credit union was very helpful with
car loan, credit line and benefits for having direct
deposit.

In Japan we have also had good experiences although we
have not needed as much assistance. We have one check
going to the credit union in Europe and one g...See More

Jul 15, 2016

I've found it convenient to set up automatic allotments at MyPay to send some of my pay to the local on base credit union and the rest to credit union accounts back in the States. (I've not used an actual bank in decades; I've found credit unions are more personal and have always met every financial need, but that's my choice.) However, some overse...See MoreI've found it convenient to set up automatic allotments at MyPay to send some of my pay to the local on base credit union and the rest to credit union accounts back in the States. (I've not used an actual bank in decades; I've found credit unions are more personal and have always met every financial need, but that's my choice.) However, some overseas DoDDS locations/bases don't have a credit union that dispenses cash nor have any ATMs (begs the question: what's the point? but I digress) but these locatiions will ~usually~ have ATMs at the on-base "Community Bank". I think that Bank of America is still the main contractor-bank for most of these overseas on-base Community Bank branches, but cannot say for sure because I have not found it either useful nor necessary to ever set up an account at one of these on-base Community Banks when my Stateside cards work fine to obtain cash, for a ~$1 fee, from their ATMs (there's no ATM fee if one does set up an account at a local Community Bank). But, each location has some quirk or another that drives one's banking choice so it's best to ask colleagues at the specfic DoDDS location you are beign assigned to.

On 7/15/16, haha wrote: > We have had great luck with the on base/post credit > unions. In Europe the credit union was very helpful with > car loan, credit line and benefits for having direct > deposit. > > In Japan we have also had good experiences although we > have not needed as much assistance. We have one check > going to the credit union in Europe and one going here. > Check it out and if it seems like a good idea for you then > I would recommend it. > > On 7/15/16, JJO wrote: >> Haha, would you recommend getting a credit union account, > then? >> Does your paycheck go to the credit union account or a >> bank account in the states? >> >> >> On 7/14/16, haha wrote: >>> I don't know if you are still in Japan or if we are in >>> the same area but that hasn't really been our >>> experience. 7 11 ATMs generally seem to give better >>> exchange rates (although admittedly it is tough to >>> really track it unless you are purposely pulling money >>> out from multiple locations on the same day). As for >>> fees, we have several accounts (from the credit union on >>> base) that credit a certain amount back in fees every >>> month so we don't really need to worry about it. >>> >>> Also, many/a majority of restaurants etc seem to take US >>> credit cards these days (much more than when we were >>> here in 2008). I would agree that it is always a good >>> idea to have cash in any case. >>> >>> On 7/14/16, wanderer wrote: >>>> Reality Sheriff, I wasn't recommending waste. The fact >>>> is, when you grab a local restaurant map from your >>>> onbase hotel, you have no idea which dot is expensive >>>> and which ones are cheap until you find them (side >>>> note: in Japan, you should always buy into a contract >>>> on a smartphone just for the mapping functions. Drop >>>> lots of pins to mark places you want to return to!) >>>> During my hotel stay time, my goal was to go to a new >>>> place every day. Don't get into a rut. Make yourself >>>> explore. In Japan, that meant I figured out which was >>>> my favorite ramen shop and that I found out how truly >>>> wonderful Japanese beef can taste compared to the >>>> protein slabs of American steaks. That place became my >>>> go-to "special occasion" place to bring visitors to. >>>> Meanwhile, there were french and italian places I never >>>> visited again during my stay there that were just as >>>> expensive as the Japanese beef place. I learned that >>>> while in the hotel stay. And yes, I am grateful that I >>>> learned >>> that >>>> while it was subsidized. What we really end up doing is >>>> finding favorite affordables and favorite special >>>> occasion destinations. The hotel time is the best time >>>> to figure >>> that >>>> out. It's not premeditated exploitation of the >>>> government dime, targeting the expensive ones. (who >>>> knows which dot is expensive?) It's making yourself not >>>> get in a rut and go out and explore offbase and learn >>>> even though it might seem easier to sit at the base >>>> food court every day. Going to a new restaurant from a >>>> map provided to every military and civilian visitor >>>> staying at the base hotel is rational behavior. >>>> >>>> BTW, learn to always carry lots of yen in cash in Japan >>>> preferably pulled out from the ATMs on base. The only >>>> other ATMs that will spew out yen at the daily rate >>>> from your American debit accounts (but with greater >>>> fees) are the green Japan Post ATMs and the ones at >>>> 7-11 convenience stores. American credit cards are >>>> useless or at the least, problematic, at most >>>> restaurants. Cash is >>> king >>>> in Japan. Learn it early and learn it well. And enjoy! >>>> >>>> >>>> 7/07/16, H wrote: >>>>> I got the TO today!!! I'm so excited! We're off to >>>>> Ikego Japan! But I'm a little confused about timing of >>>>> flying out and starting. The offer says: >>>>> >>>>> Recommended Travel Date: Aug 9 Reporting Date: Aug 23 >>>>> Classes Begin: Aug 29 >>>>> >>>>> But I understand it can take about 2 (or more) weeks >>>>> before I get the official offer and travel orders, and >>>>> that I shouldn't do anything too serious before then >>>>> (sell cars, pack up, give notice of current job, etc). >>>>> That would take be to about July 22. Then that only >>>>> leaves me about two weeks to pack up a household and >>>> sell >>>>> everything before the recommended travel date. Is this >>>>> everyone else's experience? I knew it was going to be >>>>> crazy, but two weeks seems very crazy! >>>>> >>>>> How much say do we have on when we fly out? And has >>>> it >>>>> been other people's experience that the DOD will >>>>> reimburse you for hotel & meal expenses up to 10 days >>>>> before you fly out? >>>>> >>>>> Thanks!

Jul 15, 2016

Jay22 I agree with Nathan. I have not used a regular bank since joining DoDDS in 2000. I have two credit unions: Pentagon Federal and Navy Federal. Rates are better and they have good deals on auto and home loans. As for ATMs in the states, many Target, Walgreens, and 7-11 stores have fee-less ATMs for Penfed or Navy Federal but you have to check online ...See MoreI agree with Nathan. I have not used a regular bank since joining DoDDS in 2000. I have two credit unions: Pentagon Federal and Navy Federal. Rates are better and they have good deals on auto and home loans. As for ATMs in the states, many Target, Walgreens, and 7-11 stores have fee-less ATMs for Penfed or Navy Federal but you have to check online with your zipped and the symbol on the back of your debit card. It has worked for me since there are no actual Penfed or Navy Fed branches near my stateside home. In general, you will find Penfed on Air Force bases; DOD Community Bank on Army bases and naturally Navy Federal on Navy bases. I started with PenFed on an Air Force base but have been on navy bases for a long time so reason why I opened a Navy Federal account.

On 7/15/16, Nathan wrote:

> I've found it convenient to set up automatic allotments at > MyPay to send some of my pay to the local on base credit > union and the rest to credit union accounts back in the > States. (I've not used an actual bank in decades; I've found > credit unions are more personal and have always met every > financial need, but that's my choice.) However, some > overseas DoDDS locations/bases don't have a credit union > that dispenses cash nor have any ATMs (begs the question: > what's the point? but I digress) but these locatiions will > ~usually~ have ATMs at the on-base "Community Bank". I > think that Bank of America is still the main contractor-bank > for most of these overseas on-base Community Bank > branches, but cannot say for sure because I have not found > it either useful nor necessary to ever set up an account at > one of these on-base Community Banks when my Stateside > cards work fine to obtain cash, for a ~$1 fee, from their > ATMs (there's no ATM fee if one does set up an account at > a local Community Bank). But, each location has some quirk > or another that drives one's banking choice so it's best to > ask colleagues at the specfic DoDDS location you are beign > assigned to. > > On 7/15/16, haha wrote: >> We have had great luck with the on base/post credit >> unions. In Europe the credit union was very helpful with >> car loan, credit line and benefits for having direct >> deposit. >> >> In Japan we have also had good experiences although we >> have not needed as much assistance. We have one check >> going to the credit union in Europe and one going here. >> Check it out and if it seems like a good idea for you then >> I would recommend it. >> >> On 7/15/16, JJO wrote: >>> Haha, would you recommend getting a credit union > account, >> then? >>> Does your paycheck go to the credit union account or a >>> bank account in the states? >>> >>> >>> On 7/14/16, haha wrote: >>>> I don't know if you are still in Japan or if we are in >>>> the same area but that hasn't really been our >>>> experience. 7 11 ATMs generally seem to give better >>>> exchange rates (although admittedly it is tough to >>>> really track it unless you are purposely pulling money >>>> out from multiple locations on the same day). As for >>>> fees, we have several accounts (from the credit union > on >>>> base) that credit a certain amount back in fees every >>>> month so we don't really need to worry about it. >>>> >>>> Also, many/a majority of restaurants etc seem to take > US >>>> credit cards these days (much more than when we > were >>>> here in 2008). I would agree that it is always a good >>>> idea to have cash in any case. >>>> >>>> On 7/14/16, wanderer wrote: >>>>> Reality Sheriff, I wasn't recommending waste. The fact >>>>> is, when you grab a local restaurant map from your >>>>> onbase hotel, you have no idea which dot is > expensive >>>>> and which ones are cheap until you find them (side >>>>> note: in Japan, you should always buy into a contract >>>>> on a smartphone just for the mapping functions. Drop >>>>> lots of pins to mark places you want to return to!) >>>>> During my hotel stay time, my goal was to go to a new >>>>> place every day. Don't get into a rut. Make yourself >>>>> explore. In Japan, that meant I figured out which was >>>>> my favorite ramen shop and that I found out how truly >>>>> wonderful Japanese beef can taste compared to the >>>>> protein slabs of American steaks. That place became > my >>>>> go-to "special occasion" place to bring visitors to. >>>>> Meanwhile, there were french and italian places I > never >>>>> visited again during my stay there that were just as >>>>> expensive as the Japanese beef place. I learned that >>>>> while in the hotel stay. And yes, I am grateful that I >>>>> learned >>>> that >>>>> while it was subsidized. What we really end up doing > is >>>>> finding favorite affordables and favorite special >>>>> occasion destinations. The hotel time is the best time >>>>> to figure >>>> that >>>>> out. It's not premeditated exploitation of the >>>>> government dime, targeting the expensive ones. (who >>>>> knows which dot is expensive?) It's making yourself > not >>>>> get in a rut and go out and explore offbase and learn >>>>> even though it might seem easier to sit at the base >>>>> food court every day. Going to a new restaurant from > a >>>>> map provided to every military and civilian visitor >>>>> staying at the base hotel is rational behavior. >>>>> >>>>> BTW, learn to always carry lots of yen in cash in > Japan >>>>> preferably pulled out from the ATMs on base. The only >>>>> other ATMs that will spew out yen at the daily rate >>>>> from your American debit accounts (but with greater >>>>> fees) are the green Japan Post ATMs and the ones at >>>>> 7-11 convenience stores. American credit cards are >>>>> useless or at the least, problematic, at most >>>>> restaurants. Cash is >>>> king >>>>> in Japan. Learn it early and learn it well. And enjoy! >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> 7/07/16, H wrote: >>>>>> I got the TO today!!! I'm so excited! We're off to >>>>>> Ikego Japan! But I'm a little confused about timing of >>>>>> flying out and starting. The offer says: >>>>>> >>>>>> Recommended Travel Date: Aug 9 Reporting Date: > Aug 23 >>>>>> Classes Begin: Aug 29 >>>>>> >>>>>> But I understand it can take about 2 (or more) weeks >>>>>> before I get the official offer and travel orders, and >>>>>> that I shouldn't do anything too serious before then >>>>>> (sell cars, pack up, give notice of current job, etc). >>>>>> That would take be to about July 22. Then that only >>>>>> leaves me about two weeks to pack up a household > and >>>>> sell >>>>>> everything before the recommended travel date. Is > this >>>>>> everyone else's experience? I knew it was going to > be >>>>>> crazy, but two weeks seems very crazy! >>>>>> >>>>>> How much say do we have on when we fly out? And > has >>>>> it >>>>>> been other people's experience that the DOD will >>>>>> reimburse you for hotel & meal expenses up to 10 > days >>>>>> before you fly out? >>>>>> >>>>>> Thanks!

Jul 15, 2016

Teaching Thank you for the info! Looks like my future base has
Community Bank and Navy Federal. I am a Bank of America
customer, so I can probably just use the Community Bank
ATMs for free, right?

On 7/15/16, Jay22 wrote:
> I agree with Nathan. I have not used a regular bank since
> joining DoDDS in 2000. I have two credi...See More

Jul 16, 2016

TANSTAAFL, JJO. Bank of America may be the contractor for most overseas bases' Community Banks but that doesn't mean those Community Banks are branches of Bank of America, so, ask when you get there and exercise your choices as you see fit. Good luck!

On 7/16/16, JJO wrote: > Thank you for the info! Looks like my future base has > Co...See MoreTANSTAAFL, JJO. Bank of America may be the contractor for most overseas bases' Community Banks but that doesn't mean those Community Banks are branches of Bank of America, so, ask when you get there and exercise your choices as you see fit. Good luck!

On 7/16/16, JJO wrote: > Thank you for the info! Looks like my future base has > Community Bank and Navy Federal. I am a Bank of America > customer, so I can probably just use the Community Bank > ATMs for free, right? > > > On 7/15/16, Jay22 wrote: >> I agree with Nathan. I have not used a regular bank since >> joining DoDDS in 2000. I have two credit unions: Pentagon >> Federal and Navy Federal. Rates are better and they have >> good deals on auto and home loans. As for ATMs in the >> states, many Target, Walgreens, and 7-11 stores have >> fee-less ATMs for Penfed or Navy Federal but you have to >> check online with your zipped and the symbol on the back >> of your debit card. It has worked for me since there are >> no actual Penfed or Navy Fed branches near my stateside >> home. In general, you will find Penfed on Air Force >> bases; DOD Community Bank on Army bases and naturally >> Navy Federal on Navy bases. I started with PenFed on an >> Air Force base but have been on navy bases for a long >> time so reason why I opened a Navy Federal account. >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> On 7/15/16, Nathan wrote: >> >> >> >> >>> I've found it convenient to set up automatic allotments >>> at MyPay to send some of my pay to the local on base >>> credit union and the rest to credit union accounts back >>> in the States. (I've not used an actual bank in decades; >>> I've found credit unions are more personal and have >>> always met every financial need, but that's my choice.) >>> However, some overseas DoDDS locations/bases don't have >>> a credit union that dispenses cash nor have any ATMs >>> (begs the question: what's the point? but I digress) but >>> these locatiions will ~usually~ have ATMs at the on-base >>> "Community Bank". I think that Bank of America is still >>> the main contractor-bank for most of these overseas >>> on-base Community Bank branches, but cannot say for sure >>> because I have not found it either useful nor necessary >>> to ever set up an account at one of these on-base >>> Community Banks when my Stateside cards work fine to >>> obtain cash, for a ~$1 fee, from their ATMs (there's no >>> ATM fee if one does set up an account at a local >>> Community Bank). But, each location has some quirk or >>> another that drives one's banking choice so it's best to >>> ask colleagues at the specfic DoDDS location you are >>> beign assigned to. >>> >>> On 7/15/16, haha wrote: >>>> We have had great luck with the on base/post credit >>>> unions. In Europe the credit union was very helpful >>>> with car loan, credit line and benefits for having >>>> direct deposit. >>>> >>>> In Japan we have also had good experiences although we >>>> have not needed as much assistance. We have one check >>>> going to the credit union in Europe and one going here. >>>> Check it out and if it seems like a good idea for you >>>> then I would recommend it. >>>> >>>> On 7/15/16, JJO wrote: >>>>> Haha, would you recommend getting a credit union >>> account, >>>> then? >>>>> Does your paycheck go to the credit union account or a >>>>> bank account in the states? >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> On 7/14/16, haha wrote: >>>>>> I don't know if you are still in Japan or if we are >>>>>> in the same area but that hasn't really been our >>>>>> experience. 7 11 ATMs generally seem to give better >>>>>> exchange rates (although admittedly it is tough to >>>>>> really track it unless you are purposely pulling >>>>>> money out from multiple locations on the same day). >>>>>> As for fees, we have several accounts (from the >>>>>> credit union >>> on >>>>>> base) that credit a certain amount back in fees every >>>>>> month so we don't really need to worry about it. >>>>>> >>>>>> Also, many/a majority of restaurants etc seem to take >>> US >>>>>> credit cards these days (much more than when we >>> were >>>>>> here in 2008). I would agree that it is always a good >>>>>> idea to have cash in any case. >>>>>> >>>>>> On 7/14/16, wanderer wrote: >>>>>>> Reality Sheriff, I wasn't recommending waste. The >>>>>>> fact is, when you grab a local restaurant map from >>>>>>> your onbase hotel, you have no idea which dot is >>> expensive >>>>>>> and which ones are cheap until you find them (side >>>>>>> note: in Japan, you should always buy into a >>>>>>> contract on a smartphone just for the mapping >>>>>>> functions. Drop lots of pins to mark places you want >>>>>>> to return to!) During my hotel stay time, my goal >>>>>>> was to go to a new place every day. Don't get into a >>>>>>> rut. Make yourself explore. In Japan, that meant I >>>>>>> figured out which was my favorite ramen shop and >>>>>>> that I found out how truly wonderful Japanese beef >>>>>>> can taste compared to the protein slabs of American >>>>>>> steaks. That place became >>> my >>>>>>> go-to "special occasion" place to bring visitors to. >>>>>>> Meanwhile, there were french and italian places I >>> never >>>>>>> visited again during my stay there that were just as >>>>>>> expensive as the Japanese beef place. I learned that >>>>>>> while in the hotel stay. And yes, I am grateful that >>>>>>> I learned >>>>>> that >>>>>>> while it was subsidized. What we really end up doing >>> is >>>>>>> finding favorite affordables and favorite special >>>>>>> occasion destinations. The hotel time is the best >>>>>>> time to figure >>>>>> that >>>>>>> out. It's not premeditated exploitation of the >>>>>>> government dime, targeting the expensive ones. (who >>>>>>> knows which dot is expensive?) It's making yourself >>> not >>>>>>> get in a rut and go out and explore offbase and >>>>>>> learn even though it might seem easier to sit at the >>>>>>> base food court every day. Going to a new restaurant >>>>>>> from >>> a >>>>>>> map provided to every military and civilian visitor >>>>>>> staying at the base hotel is rational behavior. >>>>>>> >>>>>>> BTW, learn to always carry lots of yen in cash in >>> Japan >>>>>>> preferably pulled out from the ATMs on base. The >>>>>>> only other ATMs that will spew out yen at the daily >>>>>>> rate from your American debit accounts (but with >>>>>>> greater fees) are the green Japan Post ATMs and the >>>>>>> ones at 7-11 convenience stores. American credit >>>>>>> cards are useless or at the least, problematic, at >>>>>>> most restaurants. Cash is >>>>>> king >>>>>>> in Japan. Learn it early and learn it well. And >>>>>>> enjoy! >>>>>>> >>>>>>> >>>>>>> 7/07/16, H wrote: >>>>>>>> I got the TO today!!! I'm so excited! We're off to >>>>>>>> Ikego Japan! But I'm a little confused about timing >>>>>>>> of flying out and starting. The offer says: >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> Recommended Travel Date: Aug 9 Reporting Date: >>> Aug 23 >>>>>>>> Classes Begin: Aug 29 >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> But I understand it can take about 2 (or more) >>>>>>>> weeks before I get the official offer and travel >>>>>>>> orders, and that I shouldn't do anything too >>>>>>>> serious before then (sell cars, pack up, give >>>>>>>> notice of current job, etc). That would take be to >>>>>>>> about July 22. Then that only leaves me about two >>>>>>>> weeks to pack up a household >>> and >>>>>>> sell >>>>>>>> everything before the recommended travel date. Is >>> this >>>>>>>> everyone else's experience? I knew it was going to >>> be >>>>>>>> crazy, but two weeks seems very crazy! >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> How much say do we have on when we fly out? And >>> has >>>>>>> it >>>>>>>> been other people's experience that the DOD will >>>>>>>> reimburse you for hotel & meal expenses up to 10 >>> days >>>>>>>> before you fly out? >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> Thanks!

Jul 16, 2016

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