What do you wish you would have done (6 mo.)?

[villanelle]

We still don't know exactly when we are leaving, but we think it will be in about 7-8 mo.

Since we still don't have orders, no one official will talk to us about the process. I'd love to be doing something to help alleviate some of the last minutes stress, which I know is inevitable

Is there anything you wish you had stated on earlier? Does anyone know if there is a time frame for your medical screen? (I would love to do it now and get it out of the way, but if it needs to be done within month or 4 months, or whatever, I don't want to have to do it again.

I will be quitting my job probably 2-3 months out and I will start really sorting the house, purging, and separating into storage/express, HHG.

Any insight on what, if anything, I could be doing now would be great. TIA!

[JK]

Enough can not be said for really purging useless stuff. Get rid of things you don't need. If it's stuff you're not sure about and want to put in storage, that's fine. BUT if it's useless, get rid of it. If you're getting the express/unaccompanied baggage, start a written list of everything to put in, it's never too early for that.

[BKat]

If you have a pet, be sure to get them microchipped and their vaccinations up to date. If I had known 6 months in advance that we would be stationed in the UK, I might have my kitty right now instead of having to wait an additional 3 months. Depending on where you'll be stationed, a lot of pets need at home quarantine for a length of time.

[villanelle]

No pets, thankfully. (Actually, not really "thankfully" since I am depserate for a dog, but we ended our search when we found out about the move.)

I have started a little purging, but I think I will work on that in earnest once I quit emy job and/or the as DH is gone over the next few months.

Thanks for the suggestions, and I've love to hear more! I know we are really lucky to have as much notice as we do (it will end up being about 10-11 months from when we found out until when we move), and I want to use it wisely if I can.

[sandykay]

You can't really do anything until you have oders and even then , you have to be within 6 mths to start doing anything as far as movers, medical, etc is concerned.
If you do want to start doing stuff, start sorting things out, like things you will need when you get there, things you will need till you leave, things you want to get rid of. Have a yard sale. If you know where you are going, decide if you want to live on or off base, you can start looking at the types of jobs available, research the area for things to do etc.
Just always keep in mind, orders can change even after you have official ones. One of my good friends had orders to Italy, got her clearance, tickets and everything and then 3 weeks before she was supposed to leave, the orders changed and she ended up here. Just be prepared for the unexpected.

[villanelle]

Yeah, unfortunately (since Japan was not something we wanted), it looks like these are here to stay. I am keeping the "it is the Navy; this could change any minute" mantra in mind, but as orders go, these are pretty certain.

Thanks for the info on the medical and such. I guessed it was probably 6 mo. I am overdue for my pap smear, but I will probably wait until we are inside the 6 mo. mark so I don't have to get 2 check ups within months of each other.

I guess I will keep sorting, and doing all the things I want to do just one more time before we go, and trying to be patient. I don't want to go, but since wer have to, I just want to go now! All the notice is great and certainly better than those people who fiund out with only a month or 2 notice, but it sure makes for a lot of restless waiting!

[sandykay]

Originally Posted by villanelle Yeah, unfortunately (since Japan was not something we wanted), it looks like these are here to stay. I am keeping the "it is the Navy; this could change any minute" mantra in mind, but as orders go, these are pretty certain. Thanks for the info on the medical and such. I guessed it was probably 6 mo. I am overdue for my pap smear, but I will probably wait until we are inside the 6 mo. mark so I don't have to get 2 check ups within months of each other. I guess I will keep sorting, and doing all the things I want to do just one more time before we go, and trying to be patient. I don't want to go, but since wer have to, I just want to go now! All the notice is great and certainly better than those people who fiund out with only a month or 2 notice, but it sure makes for a lot of restless waiting!

I know what you mean by the waiting. We were in Okinawa before we came here and literally had 2 weeks from the day they posted orders on Vertial MPF will the day we flew out. Now we just got orders and moving next summer, so are like 9 mths out. I want to look at houses and such, but know they will probably be gone by the time we get there and if they aren't then there is probably something major wrong with it.
Try to see if there is a yahoo group for his unit spouses (if you know the unit), I loved Okinawa and would go back anyday. There are lots of things to do all over Japan.

[FLgirl]

Just a thought, but if you plan on visiting other countries while you're there, you might want to go ahead and apply for a regular tourist passport (cause they can take a month or two to process). The military will give you a no fee passport, but that won't allow you to sight see and be a tourist into other countries-it only gets you to and from your PCS/US.

[villanelle]

I have a regular passport, but now that you mention it, I probably need to check the expiration date so I can figure out what I need to do if it is going to expire while we are gone. Thanks!