Overseas Housing Allowances for civilain jobs

[Jerry Goode]

Does anyone know if its possible to get housing allowance if one was to retire overseas and then work as a civlian at the same overseas location?  I'm being told that if i retire in overseas and immediately try to find a job in the same location, that I want get housing allowance because it would be considered "hiring locally".   I'm hearing that i must go back stateside for a minimum of 1 yr before i can get housing allowance overseas.   Is this true or are there other ways to still get the housing allowance? 

[cody1307]

Jerry,

It was my understanding as well, civil service positions would consider you a local hire and not be required to pay locality pay (which would include housing), depending upon the situation, if you had school-aged kids, you may be able to keep them in Dodds.  Talk to TAPS (transition assistance program folks for detailed info for you area).  Don't make the mistake like I did and go back to the states to try for a CS position.  Too hard.  I'd would've given up benefits to remain in Okinawa if given the choice.  Now I'm stuck in the US trying for 4 yrs to get back there.

Cody

[USMCPMEL]

What is so great about Okinowa? I thought they were pretty hostile towards servicemen over there?

[Ronin]

To USMC PMEL:

The hostility is real, even though they are pretty good at smiling at you while they are trying to be rid of us.   I know a lot of people who were there (on Oki) who share Cody's experience, and they spent a long tour length and met friends or started new families etc, and then got orders out etc.   The problems that face folks headed back to Oki are quite numerous.   It's expensive to travel there, you can only stay for 3 months at a time if you aren't sponsored ahead of time, BAH for Post 9/11 G. I.  Bill students is barely enough to pay for monthly expenses, and U. S.  universities with satellite campuses over there are not allowed by the SOFA to even give you the time of day unless you show up at the gate with your passport and request an "appointment" with the admissions folks.   The Japanese (Oki, Honshu, etc) are, as we all are pretty aware of, advanced anough to not really have a need for foreigners to fill jobs, and to boot. . . Oki has the highest unemployment rate of any of Japan's 47 prefectures already.   So the odds of someone getting back there as a CS or otherwise are heavily stacked against you/one.   Additionally, any of the Navy/USMC jobs that one may have hoped to fill in the wake of separation are now likely going to be even harder to get because they really are starting to move troops, families, and jobs out to Guam.   On the bright side, Guam is one of the few places where you can fly directly into Naha without having to approach through Tokyo, Manilla, Taipei, or Honolulu.   There might be opportunities up and coming via Guam for those looking at a more easily accessible way into Oki.   Very tough problem.