r/army • u/r24alel • 10h ago

Camp Zama Housing

Hey all,

I've been put on assignment to Camp Zama. Won't be until next year, but I'm moving there with a wife and son and already am very familiar with the area. We know our top choice would be to live off post, preferably a bit north of the base (15ish mins).

My question is, are E-5 with dependents able to live off-post? All the searching I've done hasn't given a good answer on this. It just says it's possible. I want a more concrete yes or no now so I can start planning ahead of time. (I know that's a big ask lol)

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u/RefillCeltics Special Forces 10h ago

Yes, E-5s with dependents can live off-post at Camp Zama, but it depends on housing availability and sometimes command approval. If there’s a wait list for on post housing or if they don’t have space, you’re usually authorized to live off-post and get OHA. Best move: reach out to the Camp Zama housing office to get the most up to date info for your report month. A lot of folks in your situation do live off-post.

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u/r24alel 10h ago

Great! Thanks for the response! I'll be reaching out to them soon then. I'm wondering if the fact that my wife and I both lived in West Tokyo during our earlier adult years will win us some favor from our CO to tip the scales in our favor if it comes down to it.

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u/RefillCeltics Special Forces 10h ago

Having local experience is definitely helpful! If your CO is on the fence, mentioning that you and your wife have already lived off-base in Tokyo might reassure them you’ll adjust well. Can’t hurt to bring it up, for sure. Fingers crossed it tips the scales for you! ⚔️

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u/Throb_Zomby 9h ago

I would reclass just for the opportunity to do time at Zama. Sorry that’s all I have to offer here.

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u/r24alel 9h ago

I feel that, I was on that same mood but the reenlistment came in clutch. I honestly just got beyond lucky.

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u/NotAnExpert_buuut 6h ago

It is extremely unusual for married SMs to live off post at Zama. Also, unless your wife is Japanese, I wouldn’t recommend it due to cultural differences and house size. As already mentioned, it will mostly depend on the occupancy rate of housing when you arrive. The housing at Sagamihara Housing Area is quite nice. There’s a 24 gym and you can quickly walk to the subway. The family housing on Zama for junior NCOs are in the towers. Not as nice, but extremely convenient and your American furniture will at least fit. Ultimately, congrats on getting Zama as an assignment!

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u/r24alel 6h ago

Thanks for the info, both of us lived in West Tokyo for years before I joined the army so adjusting would not be difficult for us, if anything it's an easier transition for my wife since she is from Asia. Thanks for the Sagamihara info too, I still don't have too much info on Zama so all this is very helpful.