Welcome

Welcome Aboard!

Welcome aboard!  I am pleased to have you coming aboard our mighty warship!  The command is located in Sasebo, Japan.

It is my pledge, on behalf of the command, to provide the training, tools, time, and trust to each and every Sailor in order to get the job done.  Sea duty is arduous in nature and presents many challenges.  Our most valuable asset towards overcoming these challenges has been, and always will be, our Sailors.  As such, we are committed to creating a work environment that provides opportunities and job satisfaction.
 
In turn each Sailor is expected to execute their professional military responsibilities to sustain operations, follow the established procedures to operate safely, seek promotion in qualifications and responsibility, and demonstrate the professionalism expected in our great Navy.  Through this commitment by our Sailors, there are no challenges the USS PATRIOT (MCM 7) team cannot meet.
 
For Sailors newly assigned to USS PATRIOT, please let your sponsor know when you will be reporting onboard. 

For any questions you may have about living and working in this area, contact your sponsor. 

My Command Senior Enlisted Leader is CMDCM John M. West and he can be reached at westj@mcm7.navy.mil. 

Our command Ombudsman may be reached at usspatriot.ombudsman@gmail.com for assistance. 

My Command Sponsorship Program Coordinators are YNC Colton T. Knippel and MN1 Paul J. Pratte and they can be reached at knippelc@mcm7.navy.mil and prattep@mcm7.navy.mil. 

Our Command’s website can be accessed at https://www.surfpac.navy.mil/mcm7/ and we also have an active Facebook profile that you can reach out to https://www.facebook.com/USSPatriotMCM7.
 

Again, welcome aboard!  I am very pleased that you are joining our team and I look forward to meeting you.


LCDR Peter J. Bue 
COMMANDING OFFICER, USS PATRIOT (MCM 7)
 

 

 Welcome Aboard Packet (pdf)


ONBOARDING INFORMATION
For married personnel: Temporary lodging can be arranged at the Navy Lodge on base for up to 30 days (30 day extensions are available in some cases), and you will be reimbursed for the cost. Let us know your desires and we will assist in making reservations for you.
 
For E4 and junior personnel: You are fortunate in that you will be housed in our barracks, as most other shipboard E4 and junior personnel reside onboard their ships. Our E4 and junior personnel are assigned to four-person rooms, sharing a common head. Basic furnishings and linen will be provided. Your personal property office will also limit your household goods shipment to 75 percent of the normal weight allowance. However, with you moving into the Bachelor Enlisted Quarters, you should only bring personal effects - i.e. no furniture. For details, contact the local personal property office in your area. Excess household goods will be authorized for storage in the Continental United States during your tour.
 
Fleet Activities Sasebo has numerous facilities and support activities. There is a navy exchange, commissary, Branch Medical Clinic, Chapel, athletic/recreational facilities, Movie Theater, various clubs, fast food outlets, Department of Defense schools, and almost everything to satisfy your basic needs. Some of the best benefits of this assignment arise from your travels off the base and throughout the Japanese countryside.
 
Shortly after arrival, you will attend the Intercultural Relations (ICR) course and Area Orientation Brief (AOB), where you will learn about Japanese culture and various services/activities available. ICR and AOB are mandatory for active duty personnel and spouses. Dependents, 10 years and older, are encouraged to attend. During ICR and AOB, you will be given the opportunity to obtain a U.S. Forces Japan driver’s license.
 
There will be info on these and many other topics included in the Welcome Aboard Information Package, which will soon be mailed to you by your sponsor.
 
- You may also obtain similar info on Sasebo by going to your Family Service Center and asking to use the "SITES" program, a computer database, or visiting the Commander, Fleet Activities Sasebo homepage at http://www.cfas.navy.mil.

- Information regarding your assigned sponsor will be sent via message.
 
When USS PATRIOT (MCM 7) is in homeport, we can be reached by overseas DSN or international commercial telephone. Use these numbers:
 
Quarterdeck: (315)-252-1204/0956-50-1204
CSEL: (315) 252-2807/080-4189-7075

To call from within Japan, contact the base operator at 0956-24-6111 and then give the desired last four digits from above as the extension (x1204).
 
To call from outside Japan using an international commercial line, call 011-81-956-24-6111 for the base operator and give the desired extension (x1204).
 
When the Ship is out of port, you can contact us by message or e-mail, or you can get useful info from these numbers (use the same number combos as above):
 
Family Member Assistant Team (FMAT): (315) 252-3623/3604
PSD Sasebo: (315) 252-3470/3411
COMFLEACT Sasebo CDO (after hours): (315) 252-3442
COMFLEACT Sasebo Quarterdeck: (315) 252-3311
Family Housing Office: (315) 252-3402
Navy Lodge Sasebo: (315) 252-3608
 
The primary route for personnel headed to Sasebo is via Tokyo Haneda or Narita airport and then to Fukuoka airport. It is recommended that you have $300 equivalent in Japanese currency in your possession upon arrival for unforeseen expenses along the way. Japanese Yen may be acquired at any foreign exchange located at international airports, or from an ATM upon arrival.
 
- Normally a ship representative will meet you at Fukuoka airport with transportation for you to Sasebo.
 
In the event we are unable to meet you, there are free government shuttles to Sasebo that depart Fukuoka airport at 1200 and 2230 daily. It is approximately a two hour bus trip. There is a military representative at Fukuoka airport after 1700 everyday who meets the inbound flights. The Navy uniformed Sasebo representative will be located near the information counter area in terminal number 2.
 
- The alternate routes are the flights to Fukuoka via Seoul, Korea, airport. For any travel assistance at Narita airport, contact the military representative at Northwest Airlines counter at terminal number one.
- Travel in civilian clothing is directed.
- Keep your sponsor informed of your travel itinerary.
 
You may also contact the Commander, Fleet Activities Sasebo Command Duty Officer at (0956) 24-6111 extension 3311 for any assistance upon arrival in Japan.
 
The suggestions below should smooth your transfer to USS PATRIOT.
 
- You are not required to have a passport for this "official" travel. However, you are strongly encouraged to obtain a "tourist" passport before arriving in Japan. They are much easier/less expensive to obtain in the states. Tourist passports will permit travel in other foreign countries, particularly during ship visits to other areas. Passports can be obtained by filling out a form at any U.S. Post Office. Call in advance to ascertain what documents / photos will be required. It can take four to six weeks for the passport to arrive in the mail.
 
- Ensure your page 2 (record of emergency data) is current and your SGLI and personal will are up to date.
 
- Verify your direct deposit and allotments.
 
- Ensure that you have a full seabag upon arrival, as availability of uniform items can be limited. Uniform of the Day is Navy Working Uniform or Flame Resistant Variant coveralls.

If you are married:
 
- Ensure your spouse has all needed documents including copies of your Permanent Change of Station orders to USS PATRIOT.
 
- Ensure all family members are enrolled in DEERS.
 
- Consider a power of attorney for your spouse to conduct business on your behalf.
 
- Consider an allotment for family members.
 
- Ensure family members have necessary dental work done prior to transfer. Dental appointments for family members are available on a "space available" basis only. The range of services is limited, and the waiting list for appointments can be long. The dental plan available in the Continental United States is not available to personnel stationed overseas. Dental care from Japanese dentists is somewhat difficult to obtain due to the language barrier and high costs.
 
If you arrive when the Ship is underway, report to the Transient Personnel Unit (TPU) for check-in processing.
Please keep us informed of any changes in travel plans so we can ensure you are met at the airport. Once again, congratulations on your orders and welcome to the Crew of the USS PATRIOT.
 
DOWNLOADABLE COPY OF ONBOARDING INFORMATION (.PDF FORMAT
PREFERRED)
S:\2. COLL\PATRIOT Webpage
 
For sponsorship information please contact USS PATRIOT’s Sponsorship Coordinator at MCM7_SPONSORSHIP@mcm7.navy.mil.
 
Congratulations on your assignment to USS PATRIOT (MCM 7)! USS PATRIOT is an Avenger Class Mine Countermeasures ship incorporating the most sophisticated technology and best minehunting and sweeping capabilities in the world. However, the quality of a Ship depends most on its Crew - you are joining the finest!
 
We are homeported in Sasebo, Japan. USS PATRIOT operates extensively throughout the Western Pacific and you can expect to spend about forty percent of your time in homeport.
 
Sasebo is located on the western side of the Japanese island of Kyushu, the southernmost island in the main islands of Japan, approximately one and a half hours north of Nagasaki and two hours South of Fukuoka. Sasebo has businesses, shops, restaurants, department stores, shopping centers and many other attractions. Much of Japan considers Sasebo to be a rural city, but with a population of 250,000, it’s unlike any rural area in the states. Sasebo is a very welcoming city and will provide you many opportunities to see and experience Japanese culture throughout your tour on USS PATRIOT!
 
OMBUDSMAN INFORMATION
OMBUDSMAN EMAIL: usspatriot.ombudsman@gmail.com
OMBUDSMAN NAME: Mrs. Lauren Evans