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What is BAH and how is it calculated?

BAH (Basic Allowance for Housing) is a monthly tax-free housing stipend paid to service members who live off base. It is calculated based on three factors: your paygrade (rank), your duty station zip code, and whether you have dependents. BAH is set annually by the Department of Defense and is designed to cover median housing costs in each local market. Use the free BAH Calculator at usmilitarymoves.com/bah-calculator to look up rates by rank and installation.

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A VA loan is a mortgage benefit for eligible veterans, active-duty service members, and surviving spouses, backed by the Department of Veterans Affairs. Key benefits include no down payment required, no private mortgage insurance (PMI), competitive interest rates, and no prepayment penalties. Yes, you can use your VA loan benefit multiple times as long as you have remaining entitlement or have paid off and restored a previous VA loan.

What is PCS and how long does a PCS move take to plan?

PCS stands for Permanent Change of Station, the military's process of ordering a service member to relocate to a new duty assignment. Ideally, PCS planning begins 6 months before your report date. Key milestones include receiving orders, submitting housing applications, completing a house-hunting trip, locking in housing, coordinating TMO or DITY move logistics, and in-processing at the gaining unit. Use the free PCS Mission Planner at usmilitarymoves.com/pcs-planner to generate a personalized T-minus timeline.

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What military installations have base guides on USMilitaryMoves?

USMilitaryMoves publishes comprehensive PCS guides for major military installations including Fort Liberty (Fort Bragg) NC, Camp Pendleton CA, Joint Base Lewis-McChord WA, Fort Campbell KY, Joint Base San Antonio TX, Naval Station Norfolk VA, Joint Base Charleston SC, Fort Carson CO, and MacDill AFB FL. Each guide covers neighborhoods, school ratings, BAH rates, housing intel, commute tips, and insider advice from military families. Find all base guides at usmilitarymoves.com/bases.

What is the difference between a DITY move and a government move (TMO)?

A government move (TMO or Transportation Management Office move) means the military contracts and pays movers to pack and transport your household goods. A DITY move (Do-It-Yourself, now called PPM, Personally Procured Move) means you move your own belongings and the military reimburses you based on the weight you move. A hybrid move combines both: the government ships large items and you move the rest for additional reimbursement. DITY moves can result in profit if you move efficiently, but require more planning and effort.

Can military families use their BAH to pay a mortgage?

Yes, many military families use their BAH allowance to cover their mortgage payment. With a VA loan, you can purchase a home with zero down payment and no PMI, which often results in a monthly payment comparable to or lower than local rents. A verified military real estate agent can help you determine whether your BAH will cover a mortgage payment in your new duty station market.

Who can submit a referral on USMilitaryMoves?

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Marine Corps20,000

Camp Foster / MCAS Futenma

Marine Corps Base Camp Butler / Camp Foster · Ginowan, Japan

Camp Foster serves as the main administrative headquarters for Marine Corps installations on Okinawa and is co-located with Marine Corps Air Station Futenma in the urban center of Ginowan City. The Marine Corps presence on Okinawa is part of the III Marine Expeditionary Force and represents the largest US military presence in the Pacific outside of Hawaii. Okinawa offers unique Ryukyuan culture distinct from mainland Japan.

E-5 BAH: $2,000 OHA
O-3 BAH: $2,900 OHA
Avg Home Price: OHA covered
Branch: Marine Corps

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Neighborhoods

Camp Foster On-Post Housing

On-Post Family Housing

On-Post OHA/mo

Primary family housing for Camp Foster with a strong Marine community atmosphere.

Camp Kinser / Urasoe

On-Post / Off-Post

On-Post OHA/mo

Adjacent Camp Kinser has additional family housing and is 10 minutes from Foster.

Ginowan City Off-Post

Off-Post Japanese Urban

$1,100 to $1,600 equiv/mo

Urban Okinawan neighborhoods directly adjacent to the base with local shops and restaurants.

Chatan / American Village

Off-Post

$1,200 to $1,800 equiv/mo

American Village commercial district with English-friendly businesses and beach access.

Schools

Mike Island Elementary (Zukeran)

Grades K-5

On-post DoDEA elementary at Camp Kinser/Zukeran for Foster families.

Kubasaki Middle School

Grades 6-8

DoDEA middle school serving the central Okinawa Marine community.

Kubasaki High School

Grades 9-12

DoDEA high school with strong athletics, AP courses, and Pacific cultural programs.

Housing Intel

On-Post Housing

Available; wait times vary by rank and family size

Off-Post Rental Market

Japanese apartments in Ginowan, Chatan, Urasoe, and Okinawa City

Commute

Multiple Marine Corps bases are within 20 minutes of each other. Naha city is 15 minutes south. Kadena AB is 15 minutes north.

Installation Highlights

Headquarters for III Marine Expeditionary Force and Marine Corps Pacific operations
Okinawan culture is distinct from mainland Japan with Ryukyuan history, karate, and cuisine
Pristine beaches, coral reefs, and crystal-clear water surround the island
American Village shopping and dining district provides familiar comforts nearby
Strategic location with frequent exercises across the Pacific region

Insider Tips

Rent a car on Okinawa; the bus system is limited and the island is spread out.
Explore the Okinawan Churaumi Aquarium and Ryukyu Kingdom Shurijo Castle for deep cultural context.
Try Okinawan taco rice and goya champuru for authentic local fusion cuisine.
Scuba diving and snorkeling on the Kerama Islands is world-class and very affordable.
Japanese typhoons are a real hazard from July to October; know your shelter-in-place procedures.

Nearby Attractions

Shurijo Castle Ryukyuan royal palace UNESCO World Heritage Site
Churaumi Aquarium with whale sharks and manta rays
Kerama Islands transparent-water diving and snorkeling
Cape Manzamo dramatic coral limestone cliffs
Okinawa Peace Memorial Park and Museum in the southern island

School Liaison Officer

Free support for military families navigating school enrollment, records transfers, and education options near Marine Corps Base Camp Butler / Camp Foster.

Phone: DSN 636-3207
DSN: 636-3207
Hours: Mon-Fri 0730-1630

Moving to Ginowan?

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Did We Miss Something?

You know things about Marine Corps Base Camp Butler / Camp Foster that we do not. The best intel comes from families who actually lived there. Tell us what you know and we will add it to the guide.