Congratulations on your assignment to Uss Pioneer (MCM 9)! As you prepare for your new journey, this guide from Pioneer Technology aims to provide you with all the essential information you need for a smooth transition to USS Pioneer and your new home in Sasebo, Japan. The USS Pioneer, a vital AVENGER Class Mine Countermeasures ship, boasts some of the most sophisticated technology in the world, and it’s the dedication of its crew that truly makes it exceptional. You are joining the finest team in the US Navy!
Getting Started with USS Pioneer
Contacting USS Pioneer: Sponsorship and Support
Your transition to a new command and country can be a significant undertaking. The USS Pioneer command is committed to making this process as easy as possible for you and your family. For any sponsorship related inquiries, please do not hesitate to contact the USS Pioneer’s Command Master Chief directly at [email protected]. You can also reach out to the sponsorship email distribution list at [email protected] for general information and assistance.
For family support and local resources, the Command OMBUDSMAN is an invaluable point of contact. She can provide crucial local resources, contact information, and access to the Command Facebook page and group chats. You can reach the OMBUDSMAN at [email protected]. Connecting with these resources early will help you feel welcomed and prepared for your arrival.
About USS Pioneer and Sasebo: Your New Home
USS Pioneer is homeported in Sasebo, Japan, alongside five other USN ships within the USS AMERICA (LHA-6) Expeditionary Strike Group. Operationally, we are assigned to Amphibious Force U.S. SEVENTH Fleet, and you should anticipate operating extensively throughout the Western Pacific. While deployments are a part of life on USS Pioneer, you can also expect to spend approximately forty percent of your time in homeport, Sasebo.
Sasebo is nestled on the western side of Kyushu, the southernmost of Japan’s main islands. Located about 1.5 hours north of Nagasaki and 2 hours south of Fukuoka, Sasebo offers a unique blend of Japanese culture and American convenience. While often considered a rural city by Japanese standards, Sasebo is a vibrant city with a population of 250,000, offering a wide array of businesses, shops, restaurants, department stores, and shopping centers. It’s a far cry from what you might expect from a “rural area” in the USA.
Living in Japan presents unique experiences and adjustments. The language difference can be a hurdle, traffic can be dense, and housing is generally smaller compared to the United States. Japan is also a high-cost area, but thankfully, military personnel receive a Cost of Living Allowance (COLA) to help offset these expenses significantly.
Housing and Accommodation for USS Pioneer Personnel
For Married Personnel: Upon arrival, temporary lodging can be arranged at the Navy Lodge on base for up to 30 days, with potential extensions available. The costs for this temporary lodging will be reimbursed. If you are married and require temporary lodging, inform your sponsor of your needs, and they will assist in making reservations for you at the Navy Lodge Sasebo.
For E4 and Below: You are in a fortunate position as E4 and below personnel assigned to USS Pioneer are housed in barracks, unlike many shipboard personnel who reside on their ships. Barracks rooms typically accommodate four people, with shared head facilities. Basic furnishings and linens are provided. When planning your move, be aware that the personal property office will limit your Household Goods (HHG) shipment to 75 percent of the normal weight allowance. Given that you will be moving into the BEQ, it is recommended to bring only personal effects and essential items, leaving furniture behind. Excess HHG can be authorized for storage in CONUS during your tour. Contact your local personal property office for detailed information regarding your shipment.
Facilities and Support at Fleet Activities Sasebo
Fleet Activities Sasebo is equipped with numerous facilities and support services designed to make your life in Japan comfortable and convenient. On base, you will find a Navy Exchange (NEX), commissary, branch medical clinic, chapel, athletic and recreational facilities, a movie theater, various clubs, fast food outlets, and a Department of Defense (DOD) school. These facilities cover almost all of your basic needs and provide a sense of familiarity in a new environment.
Beyond the base, one of the greatest advantages of being stationed in Sasebo is the opportunity to explore the Japanese countryside. From stunning natural landscapes to ancient temples and bustling cities, Japan offers a wealth of cultural and recreational experiences just waiting to be discovered.
Orientation and Integration: Area Orientation Brief (AOB) and Intercultural Relations (ICR)
Shortly after your arrival, you will attend the mandatory Intercultural Relations (ICR) course and Area Orientation Brief (AOB). These programs are designed to help you acclimate to Japanese culture and familiarize yourself with the various services and activities available in Sasebo. Attendance at ICR and AOB is mandatory for all active-duty personnel and spouses. Dependents aged 10 and older are also encouraged to participate.
During the AOB/ICR program, you will have the opportunity to obtain a US Forces Japan (USFJ) driver’s license. Driving in Japan is unique, as vehicles are driven on the left side of the road with the steering wheel on the right side. Purchasing a used car in Sasebo is straightforward, whether you buy from someone on base or a used car dealer off base. Used car prices can range, but a reliable vehicle can often be found for between $2,000 and $3,000.
Download the 2022 AOB/ICR Weekly Schedule
This training is MANDATORY for all military and civilians arriving to commands in Sasebo within 30 days. The training ensures newly reporting personnel are fully informed about all CFAS policies, programs, services, responsibilities, and facilities. In addition to AOB/ICR, expect to receive a welcome aboard information package from your sponsor by mail a few weeks before you arrive. You can also proactively gather information about Sasebo by visiting your Family Service Center and using the “SITES” program or by visiting the COMFLEACT Sasebo homepage at https://www.cnic.navy.mil/regions/cnrj/installations/cfa_sasebo.html.
Travel and Arrival Information for USS Pioneer Personnel
Getting to Sasebo: Airports and Transportation
The primary route for personnel traveling to Sasebo is through Osaka-Kansai airport, followed by a connecting flight to Fukuoka airport. It is highly recommended to have approximately $300.00 in Japanese Yen upon arrival to cover any immediate expenses. You can purchase Japanese Yen at foreign exchange counters located at international airports.
Typically, a representative from USS Pioneer will meet you at Fukuoka airport and provide transportation to Sasebo. Look for someone holding a sign with “USS PIONEER.” If, for any reason, you are not met, free government shuttles to Sasebo depart Fukuoka airport daily at 1200 and 2230. The bus trip takes approximately 2-3 hours. A military representative is stationed at Fukuoka airport after 1700 every day to meet inbound flights. The Navy uniformed Sasebo representative will be near the information counter area in terminal number 2.
Alternate travel routes to Fukuoka include flights via Nagoya and Narita airports. For assistance at Narita airport, contact the military representative at the Northwest Airlines counter in terminal number one. Note that there is no military representative at Nagoya airport. Due to current security conditions, travel in civilian clothing is directed. Always keep your sponsor informed of your travel itinerary so they can best assist you upon arrival.
For immediate assistance upon arrival in Japan, you can contact the U.S. Fleet Activities, Sasebo, Japan Command Duty Officer at (0956) 24-6111 ext 3311.
Essential Information Before You Go to USS Pioneer
To ensure a smooth transfer to USS Pioneer, consider the following suggestions:
- While a passport is not strictly required for official travel, it is strongly encouraged that you obtain a “tourist” passport before arriving in Japan. Tourist passports are easier and less expensive to obtain in the United States and will allow for personal travel to other foreign countries, especially during ship port visits. You can apply for a passport at any U.S. Post Office. Call in advance to confirm required documents and photos, and be aware that passport processing can take four to six weeks.
- Ensure your Page 2 (Record of Emergency Data) is current, and that your Servicemembers’ Group Life Insurance (SGLI) and personal will are up to date.
- Verify your direct deposit and allotment settings are correct.
- Ensure you have a full sea bag packed upon arrival, as the availability of uniform items in Sasebo can be limited.
Information for Married Personnel Joining USS Pioneer
If you are married, please ensure the following:
- Your spouse has all necessary documents, including copies of your PCS orders to USS Pioneer and Family Entry Approval to Japan.
- All family members are enrolled in the Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System (DEERS).
- Consider obtaining a power of attorney for your spouse to handle business matters on your behalf during your assignment.
- Consider setting up an allotment for family members to manage finances effectively.
- Ensure all family members have completed necessary dental work before transferring. Dental appointments for family members in Sasebo are available on a “space available” basis only, and the range of services is limited. Waiting lists for appointments can also be long. The dental plan available in CONUS does not extend to overseas stations. Obtaining dental care from Japanese dentists can be challenging due to language barriers and potentially high costs.
Reporting to USS Pioneer
If you arrive while USS Pioneer is underway (out of port), report to the Transient Personnel Detachment (TPD) for check-in processing. Regardless of when you arrive, please keep your sponsor informed of any changes to your travel plans so we can ensure you are met at the airport and your arrival is as seamless as possible.
Once again, congratulations on your orders and welcome to the crew of the USS PIONEER! We look forward to welcoming you aboard.
