Marines tighten liberty card policy in Okinawa

[unhappycamper]

Marines tighten liberty card policy in Okinawa
By Cindy Fisher, Stars and Stripes
Pacific edition, Saturday, April 12, 2008

CAMP FOSTER, Okinawa — All servicemembers assigned to Marine Corps Bases Japan and III Marine Expeditionary Force are now required to carry liberty cards, officials said Thursday.

The new policy also requires E-4s and below to be accompanied by a buddy when on liberty off base, Marine spokesman 1st Lt. Judd Wilson said Thursday in an e-mail to Stars and Stripes.

Previously only E-5s and below were required to carry liberty cards and E-3s and below were required to have liberty buddies.

The cards will be issued in red and gold. No liberty limits are placed on gold cards, but red-card holders are required to be on a base or in their off-base quarters between midnight and 5 a.m.

“This order is intended to reduce the number of off-duty liberty incidents and promote positive relations with our host nation and its citizens,” Wilson said of the policy that was approved last Saturday. “The issuance of liberty cards to all service members will provide commanders with a tool that will aid them in maintaining good order, discipline and morale.”


Rest of article at: http://www.stripes.com/article.asp?section=104&article=53982

[Maggie_May]

1. What the heck

What are they afraid of. I have a son-in-law that will be stationed over there soon. What is the purpose of liberty cards?

[unhappycamper]

2. There's been a rash of incidents in both Okinawa and Japan lately.

Stabbings, rapes, holdups, etc. The military is trying to get a handle on the problem.

[Maggie_May]

3. Oh great thanks for the info

Now I just have some else to worry about. I will talk to my son-in-law and warn him of the problems off the base.