The sailors assigned to the commands around Yokosuka, Japan know about high optempo. The units assigned to Forward Deployed Naval Forces Japan are either on deployment or working up for deployment.
But with limited liberty time, the sailors of Yokosuka (and Atsugi) also learn how to play hard.
Here are 21 things every sailor who’s ever been stationed there knows all too well:
Related: 7 lies sailors tell their parent while deployed
1. Your weekend begins with a Liberty plan and a designated buddy
(The liberty plan may not apply to those before 2002 or after 2014. Lucky you.)
2. But in reality, you have alternate plans
3. Instead, you pregame with a Chu-Hi or three
4. And head for the Honch
5. But you only stay for a while because you don’t get along with the regulars: a.k.a. ‘shore patrol’
6. And, trust us on this one, you won’t stand a chance if you start your Captain’s Mast like this:
7. Dinner options always brings out the toughest debates
(By the way, Sukiya is way better.)
8. You opt for taco, rice, and cheese because there’s no way to come to an agreement
9. Or maybe you settle on ramen (because it’s crazy delicious)
10. After dinner, it’s off to Roppongi
11. You learn to stay away from “buy me drink” bars
12. You learn that trains stop running at midnight . . .
… the hard way.
12. But if you happen to miss the last train the real debauchery begins
13. Really, what’s a sailor to do without transportation?
15. Somehow you always manage to save just enough cash to get you back to base
16. You know you missed your stop when signs are no longer in English
Flickr, François Rejeté
17. Luckily, the Japanese people are very friendly
18. MWR (Morale Welfare and Recreation) trips are great for holding on to your money, exploring Japan and staying out of trouble. You could visit Kyoto …
Kiyomizu-dera (清水寺), Kyoto, Kyoto prefecture, Japan. Image: Wikimedia
19. … climb Mount Fuji …
20. … or take an epic snowboarding trip to Nagano
21. And you know how to make the best of a liberty incident
