Has anyone else remained overseas after separation or retirement?

SSgt Thomas L. — Thu, 19 Feb 2015 04:01:49 -0500

When I separated I chose to remain in Japan, even though I had not yet secured employment. My wife and I fell in love with this country and want to remain. I get a lot of strange looks when I tell this to other Americans after I answer "no" to the question of "is your wife Japanese?" All our children are in local schools and are doing very well... speaking Japanese fluently. (it's handy having 3 little translators where ever I go) How many other veterans have chosen to remain overseas after retirement or separation... or have returned to overseas locations afterward? How difficult is it to get a job and how good of a chance do I have of getting LQA?

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 19 at 2015 4:06 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 19 Feb 2015 04:06:30 -0500

SSgt Thomas L. Do you know that Steven Seagal was the first foreigner to operate an Aikido dojo in Japan?

Response by SGT Jim Z. made Feb 19 at 2015 4:56 AM

SGT Jim Z. — Thu, 19 Feb 2015 04:56:14 -0500

I knew many veterans that stayed in Korea although most were married to Koreans. They all pretty much worked for the Army in some capacity. You may want to look at usajobs.gov for civilian jobs in Japan.

Response by SGT Rik Thibodeau made Feb 19 at 2015 5:22 AM

SGT Rik Thibodeau — Thu, 19 Feb 2015 05:22:49 -0500

I got out in 04 and stayed in Europe another 10 years and would have stayed forever if I could of, but for the idiotic 5 year rule and a nightmare LQA debacle that forced me back to the US after 16 years in Europe (Italy mostly). You said you are already separated from the military so I'm assuming you have a non-DoD job, right? If so, you will not qualify for LQA unless you go back to CONUS for 2 years. Do not let anyone else tell you differently. Myself and 800 other DoD civilians in every overseas location (several people in Japan) have been fighting the government for almost two years over this. Unfortunately the government threw us all under the bus. I would save you from that nightmare - if you have any questions about LQA, I am more than happy to answer them for you offline.

Response by SFC Collin McMillion made Feb 19 at 2015 5:29 AM

SFC Collin McMillion — Thu, 19 Feb 2015 05:29:02 -0500

After all the places I have been, I finally decided to retire in the Philippines. Love it there and was the 5 years, until my wife wanted to come to the US to get her US RN license, more money than just being a RN in PH, but now that she has that, we are getting ready to return.

Response by GySgt Wayne A. Ekblad made Feb 19 at 2015 8:22 AM

GySgt Wayne A. Ekblad — Thu, 19 Feb 2015 08:22:23 -0500

I did two tours on Okinawa and my time there is among my fondest memories. I have often thought about going back there when I retire from federal service. I am interested in hearing more of your experiences or those of others who are living in the Far East.

Response by SGM Mikel Dawson made Feb 19 at 2015 9:10 AM

SGM Mikel Dawson — Thu, 19 Feb 2015 09:10:40 -0500

I've been in Denmark about 20yrs now. I came here on adventure and stayed. I retired from the Army Reserve in Germany. Got my own business. The way things are I don't think I could move back. I've been back a few times and feel so out of place. Got a good VN vet friend living in Portugal I visit every year. He says guys like us just make a home where ever our hat hangs.

Response by PO1 Shahida Marmol made Aug 16 at 2015 1:24 PM

PO1 Shahida Marmol — Sun, 16 Aug 2015 13:24:47 -0400

I am trying my hardest to stay in an overseas command. I transfer in April, and I am almost begging my detailer to keep me overseas.

Response by SSG Dale London made Aug 30 at 2022 5:17 PM

SSG Dale London — Tue, 30 Aug 2022 17:17:10 -0400

I got out in '96 and stayed in Scotland. I'm still here and I don't regret a moment of it. My wife is here. My kids are here -- and so are my grandkids. I never applied for LQA as I got a job on the economy a month after I separated.
I'm now a Church of Scotland Minister, 5 years shy of retirement, and loving it.