Job Discussion Forums

nawlinsgurl · Posted: Tue May 29, 2007 3:03 pm Post subject: Two choices which is better???

A friend recently approached me with a difficult question.

She is getting divorced (for various reasons) and wants to stay in Japan to continue her j-language classes. She is a teacher and her boss said they he will sponser her no problem--if needed. She loves the safety, people, her job and etc. Her husband will leave Japan soon b/c he is getting out of the Navy.

My friend has to make a quick decision.

She can:

A) Quit her cushy J-job (No base id card)
B) Get a base job (will have a base id card)

Benefits of A--Great J-job
-Great pay, lots of holidays, good boss, free and quality Japanese lessons.

Benefits of B--Base Job
-Cheap car/car tax, use of military bank (send/exchange/receive money for no charge), use of American post office (mail order for cheap, send/receive huge pkgs for cheap)

FYI-Most of the available base jobs are for food service (think Taco Bell) or childcare worker (think spoiled brat american kids). Plus the pay is quite sad, like $1500-2000 a month. Personally, I wouldn't want to take either job b/c you have to jump through hoops and ladders to get one, kiss ass, and then take "orders" from someone who probably only graduated from high school. But I have heard that once you are in the "system" for working on a military base, it easier to move up in a job or advance. I dunno for sure, since I work in the Japanese economy.

I told her I have no idea since I'm a lazy American who loves to drive, but hates the military base. I can't pick which is better. I did live in Japan for a while with no base access and the only thing I really missed was driving. And I told her it's costly but she can get a J-liscense and minicar to solve that. Any opinions, words of advice, that I can pass on? Confused

Gypsy Rose Kim · Joined: 08 Dec 2006 Posts: 151

This is a ridiculous question. I try to be understanding when people need help, cuz we've all been there. But usually, if we are asking strangers, it's because they know more about a certain situation than we do. THAT IS NOT THE CASE HERE!!!

She has been living in Japan as a Navy wife. She has been working off base. She is familiar with both, and very few of us are.

A grown woman needs to make her own choices. Especially considering she has more information than the strangers her friend is asking for advice on an ESL board.

Glenski · Joined: 15 Jan 2003 Posts: 12844 Location: Hokkaido, JAPAN

I agree a lot with Gypsy.

My opinion is to start with a question: What does your friend want -- an experience in Japan or on a military base?

Personally, I'd opt for the former. Seems a waste of time to be so far from home, yet to practically live in an American surrounding.

If she doesn't see that, look at the difference in pay, if nothing else.

nawlinsgurl · Posted: Tue May 29, 2007 11:22 pm Post subject:

Thanks for the imput. It is kinda crazy, but as childish as it sounds-she's my best friend and I don't want her to leave! Smile

AndyH · Joined: 30 Sep 2004 Posts: 417

As a former member of the US military, i'd recommend against working on a base, unless your friend has no other options.

Chris21 · Joined: 30 Apr 2006 Posts: 366 Location: Japan

So the good points of getting a base job are the privilege of using the base bank and post office? Are you kidding? I didn't realize that UFJ was such a hell-hole.

I have base access and trust me, it sucks. (except for the Burger King at Zama) She should definitely keep her cushy J-job.

AndyH · Joined: 30 Sep 2004 Posts: 417

There are times I would have liked to have had access to the PX, but not bad enough to work on a base.

Gordon · Joined: 28 Jan 2003 Posts: 5309 Location: Japan

If the only perks are related to food and the post office, seems she should do option C and go back to the States.

Can't think of a worse punishment than having to live on an American base. Except for Guantanamo...

gaijinalways · Joined: 29 Nov 2005 Posts: 2279

Personally the bases are not that bad, but I have never lived on one, only visited (and I do have friends that used to be in the military). As to using the px, it has its advantages as the price of food is much cheaper as well as some other goods. Also, not all the jobs are low paying service jobs. Finally, what about benefits; pension, insurance, etc. The military ones would be fully comprehensive, and they are generally free (versus her j-job where she would have to pay for half if the employer is kicking in their share).

Sometimes you have to make your own decisions, but of course you are a nice friend to give some advice on what to think about. She could always find another military boyfriend/husband too, right, and keep the j-job?

David W · Joined: 17 Jan 2003 Posts: 457 Location: Japan

What's the minimum she has to do to keep her base privileges? If she can work on the base part-time and still keep her Japanese job it might suit her. Personally, I think losing base privileges would suck if you're used to them. Plus you could probably use the base too depending on what the SOFA rules are.