In-person NOWA Brief
Times:
0645 | Arrival time for any Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA) privately owned vehicle (POV) license testers, Japanese license holders, and within Japan transfers.
(Any personnel who arrive after the 0700 SOFA POV licensing examination start time will not be permitted to enter the testing area).
0700–0830 | SOFA POV License Examination
(Optional if completing before/after the NOWA Brief at the Installation Safety Office).
0815 | Arrival time for non- POV SOFA license examination testers
0830–1415 | Mandatory NOWA Brief
Location: Camp Foster Community Center, Bldg. 5908
Attire: Proper civilian attire or uniform of the day
Per the United States Forces, Japan Instruction 36-2811, all SOFA status personnel and their family members stationed in Japan are required to complete an indoctrination training program within 72 hours of arrival to their permanent duty station. The NOWA Brief satisfies this requirement.
Children ages 10 years and older are required to attend a NOWA Brief.
Children aged 9 years and younger are not required to attend a NOWA Brief.
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Virtual NOWA Brief
Due to a lack of childcare for the NOWA Brief, the MCIPAC Chief of Staff has provided the option to request a virtual NOWA Brief for accompanied Service Members, DoD civilians, and contractors with family members under the age of 10. The virtual NOWA Brief is available for the spouse only of the Service Member, DoD civilian, or contractor unless the newcomer is a single parent with a family member under the age of 10.
All others are required to complete an in-person NOWA Brief. All children are still welcome to attend an in-person NOWA Brief; however, some content discussed may not be considered suitable for all ages.
The virtual NOWA Brief is a 4-hour, video-based webinar facilitated via the Qualtrics system. Virtual NOWA Brief codes and training links are specific to the individual and will be emailed to the approved newcomer personal email address on the Thursday following the in-person NOWA Brief by 1000.
All newcomers that complete a virtual NOWA Brief prior to 1400 on Friday will have their name(s) forwarded to the MCIPAC-MCBB Installation Safety Office POV Licensing Section showing proof of virtual NOWA Brief completion.
To request the virtual NOWA Brief, please email mcbb_newcomers@usmc.mil.
Shuttle Service
A shuttle bus to and from the NOWA Brief is available for members staying at the Camp Foster Westpac Inn temporary lodging facility. A shuttle will arrive at the Westpac Inn at 0615 and depart at 0630 to accommodate those SOFA POV license testers, Japanese license holders, and within Japan transfers. For those who are not completing the SOFA licensing exam, a shuttle will arrive at the Westpac Inn at 0745 and depart at 0800 to accommodate those attending the mandatory portion of the NOWA Brief. Those newcomers not billeting at the Westpac Inn, are responsible for coordinating their own transportation with their sponsor to the Camp Foster Community Center building 5908.
Items to bring for the Nowa Brief
- Check-in sheet if available
- Light jacket or sweater
Items to bring if completing the SOFA POV license examination
- 2 copies of web orders (USMC)/original orders (USN) or Letter of Employment (civilian)
- 2 copies of Area Clearance/Dependent Entry Approval if accompanied
- Valid stateside driver’s license
- Military identification (ID)/valid photo ID
- Driver’s Awareness training certificate (USMC) for those Service Members ages 26 and under
- Driving for Life training certificate (USN) for those Service Members ages 26 and under
Dependents attending the NOWA Brief without their sponsor are required to have their sponsor’s signature on the Application for USFJ Form 4EJ Driver’s Permit (Yellow Card) to take the SOFA POV license examination. Sponsors are not required to stay with dependents throughout the NOWA Brief.
Any personnel who arrive after the 0700 SOFA POV licensing examination start time will not be permitted to enter the testing area.
Welcome Aboard Information
Please visit https://www.okinawa.usmc-mccs.org/about for an electronic Welcome Aboard packet, which contains information about driving, transportation, housing, childcare, pets, schools, and more.
Military Installation Information:
For additional information on MCB Camp S.D. Butler, please visit https://installations.militaryonesource.mil.
If you have any questions or require special accommodations, please contact your nearest MCCS Personal and Professional Development Resources office:
Camp Foster, Bldg. 445, DSN: 645-2104
Camp Courtney, Bldg. 4425, DSN: 622-7739
Camp Kinser, Bldg. 1220, DSN: 637-2815
Camp Hansen, Bldg. 2339, DSN: 623-4522
Camp Schwab, Bldg. 3000, DSN: 625-2622
Additional Information
SOFA POV License Examination
All portions of the NOWA Brief must be completed prior to receiving your SOFA POV driver’s license.
Personnel are highly encouraged to complete the SOFA POV license examination prior to attending a NOWA Brief. Test sessions are held on non-holidays, Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday at 0800 and 1000, at Camp Foster building 5831 and Camp Courtney building 4319. Check-in starts 30 minutes prior to the test sessions.
E-5 and below personnel without their commanding officer’s signature will not be authorized to test at the NOWA Brief.
E-3 and below personnel will not be authorized to test at the NOWA Brief.
Attendees who hold a Government of Japan driver’s license, or licensing transfers from mainland Japan, are highly encouraged to visit the licensing office prior to attending a NOWA Brief, as they are required to watch the driving video prior to be issued a SOFA POV license. If they do not, they will need to remain at the NOWA Brief during the license testing portion to receive their SOFA POV license at the NOWA Brief.
A copy of the Japanese Traffic Regulations for SOFA Licensed Drivers is available online at https://www.okinawa.usmc-mccs.org/about under the “Driving and Transportation” tab.
For questions, please contact the Installation Safety Office at:
Camp Foster, Bldg. 5831, DSN: 645-7219
Camp Courtney, Bldg. 4319, DSN: 622-6202