Branch: U.S. Marine Corps
Location: Okinawa, Japan
Installation Type: Marine Corps Base (Umbrella Installation)
Status: Active

Overview

Marine Corps Base Camp Smedley D. Butler — commonly known as Camp Butler — is the umbrella installation command headquartered on Okinawa, Japan, that oversees multiple Marine Corps sub-installations scattered across the island. Established in the post-World War II era and named for Major General Smedley D. Butler, the installation has served as the primary hub for Marine Corps forces in the Pacific since the mid-20th century. Camp Butler’s primary mission is to provide installation management, base operating support, and quality-of-life services for all Marine Corps forces assigned to Okinawa, encompassing Camp Foster, Camp Hansen, Camp Kinser, Camp Courtney, and Camp Schwab.

Mission & Units

  • Primary Mission: Provide base operating support and installation management for Marine Corps forces and tenant commands on Okinawa in support of III Marine Expeditionary Force (III MEF) and U.S. Pacific Command operational commitments.
  • Major Units:
  • III Marine Expeditionary Force (III MEF) — headquartered at Camp Courtney
  • 3rd Marine Division — headquartered at Camp Courtney
  • 3rd Marine Logistics Group (3rd MLG) — headquartered at Camp Kinser
  • 1st Marine Aircraft Wing (1st MAW) — headquartered at Camp Foster
  • Marine Corps Installations Pacific (MCIPAC) — headquartered at Camp Foster
  • 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (31st MEU) — forward deployed, Camp Hansen area
  • 12th Marine Regiment — Camp Hansen
  • 3rd Reconnaissance Battalion — Camp Schwab
  • 3rd Marine Regiment — Camp Courtney/Schwab area
  • Tenant Units:
  • U.S. Army Torii Station (adjacent, separate Army installation)
  • Naval Hospital Okinawa — Camp Foster
  • Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) elements
  • Various joint and coalition liaison elements

Sub-Installations

  • Camp Foster: The administrative and logistical center of Camp Butler, Camp Foster is located in Ginowan City and serves as the headquarters for Marine Corps Installations Pacific (MCIPAC) and 1st Marine Aircraft Wing. It hosts Naval Hospital Okinawa, the main MCX shopping center, the Kinville entertainment district access, and numerous family support services. Camp Foster is the primary in-processing location for new arrivals to Okinawa.
  • Camp Hansen: Located in Kin Town in central Okinawa, Camp Hansen is the primary infantry training base and home to the 4th Marine Regiment and elements of the 31st MEU. It features extensive live-fire ranges, jungle warfare training areas, and combat training facilities. The camp also hosts a smaller MCX, commissary annex, and MWR facilities.
  • Camp Kinser: Situated in Urasoe City in southern Okinawa, Camp Kinser serves as the main logistics hub for Marine forces on the island and is home to the 3rd Marine Logistics Group. The installation features large warehouse complexes, motor pools, and the primary Okinawa commissary. Camp Kinser has been the subject of ongoing consolidation efforts under the U.S.-Japan force realignment agreements.
  • Camp Courtney: Located in Uruma City on the eastern coast of central Okinawa, Camp Courtney is the headquarters for III Marine Expeditionary Force and the 3rd Marine Division. It is a relatively compact installation focused primarily on command functions, with MWR and support facilities serving its population.
  • Camp Schwab: Located near Nago City in northern Okinawa, Camp Schwab is a primarily infantry and special operations training base. It is home to the 3rd Reconnaissance Battalion and serves as a key amphibious training staging area adjacent to Henoko Bay. Camp Schwab is the designated site for the Futenma Replacement Facility (FRF) currently under construction.

Location & Access

  • Nearest Major City: Naha (Okinawa’s prefectural capital), approximately 10-20 km from southern camps (Foster, Kinser); Nago City is closest to Camp Schwab (~5 km)
  • Nearest Commercial Airport: Naha Airport (OKA), approximately 10 km from Camp Foster/Kinser; approximately 60 km from Camp Schwab
  • Gate Access: Each sub-installation maintains its own access control points with varying gate hours; most main gates are open 24 hours, with secondary gates operating on limited schedules. All personnel must present a valid DoD CAC or military ID. Visitors without base access credentials must obtain a visitor pass at the installation visitor control center. Vehicle inspections are conducted at entry points consistent with force protection requirements.

Population

  • Active Duty Personnel: Approximately 18,000-20,000 across all sub-installations on Okinawa
  • Family Members: Approximately 8,000-10,000
  • Civilian Employees: Approximately 5,000-7,000 (U.S. and Japanese National employees)
  • Total Installation Population: Approximately 30,000-40,000 (including all sub-installations)

Key Facilities

  • Medical: Naval Hospital Okinawa — located at Camp Foster; provides full inpatient and outpatient care, surgical services, emergency care, and specialty clinics. Branch medical clinics are located at Camp Hansen, Camp Schwab, and Camp Kinser.
  • Commissary: Yes — main commissary at Camp Kinser (Defense Commissary Agency, DeCA); commissary annex at Camp Foster; limited commissary services at Camp Hansen
  • Exchange (MCX): Yes — main Marine Corps Exchange (MCX) at Camp Foster with full department store, food court, and specialty shops; MCX at Camp Hansen and Camp Kinser; Camp Courtney and Camp Schwab have smaller MCX facilities or Class VI/convenience stores
  • Fitness & Recreation: Each sub-installation maintains fitness centers and gymnasiums; outdoor pools at Camp Foster, Camp Hansen, and Camp Kinser; MWR program offices at Camp Foster and Camp Hansen offer outdoor recreation, liberty programs, and tours; Okinawa MWR includes Liberty Centers at multiple camps
  • Schools: DoDEA Pacific — Okinawa District operates multiple schools including Kadena Middle/High School (near Camp Foster area), Bob Hope Primary, Amelia Earhart Intermediate, Zukeran Elementary, and others across the island; students may also be enrolled in local Japanese private schools or accredited correspondence programs
  • Childcare: Child Development Centers (CDCs) operate at Camp Foster, Camp Hansen, and Camp Kinser; waitlists are common and early enrollment registration is strongly encouraged; Family Child Care (FCC) providers are also available on and off base
  • Veterinary Services: Military veterinary clinic at Camp Foster (Building 5827 area); services include wellness exams, vaccinations, and limited surgical procedures for DoD-sponsored pets; appointments required
  • Legal Assistance / JAG: Legal Services Support Section (LSSS) at Camp Foster; provides legal assistance, wills, powers of attorney, notary services, and SOFA-related legal support; walk-in hours available for powers of attorney and notary; other services by appointment

Housing

  • On-Base Housing: Managed by Lincoln Military Housing (now Meade Communities/Hunt Companies depending on contract area); housing units include townhomes and apartments across Camp Foster, Camp Hansen, Camp Kinser, and Camp Courtney; varying unit sizes from E1-E5 to officer grades
  • Average Wait Time: Varies by rank and family size; wait times can range from a few weeks to several months depending on unit availability; single Marines (unaccompanied) typically reside in barracks at their assigned camp
  • Off-Base Housing: Available in surrounding cities including Chatan, Okinawa City (Koza), Ginowan, Uruma, Naha, Urasoe, and Kin Town; typical rent for a 3-bedroom residence ranges from approximately 80,000 to 180,000 yen per month depending on size, location, and amenities; many landlords participate in the Okinawa off-base housing market catering to U.S. military families
  • BAH Rate Reference: Check current Overseas Housing Allowance (OHA) rates at the Defense Travel Management Office (DTMO) website.

PCS & Newcomer Info

  • Sponsorship Program: Newly assigned personnel should contact their gaining unit’s administrative section to request a sponsor prior to departure; III MEF and subordinate commands maintain unit sponsorship programs; the MCIPAC Relocation Assistance Program can assist with sponsor coordination
  • In-Processing: All new arrivals report to Camp Foster for central in-processing at the Marine Corps Installation Pacific (MCIPAC) Personnel Support Detachment; in-processing typically takes 1-3 days and includes housing, medical, JAG, finance, and installation briefings; newcomers should bring orders, family records, and vehicle documentation
  • EFMP (Exceptional Family Member Program): EFMP enrollment is managed through Naval Hospital Okinawa at Camp Foster; all family members with special medical or educational needs must be enrolled and cleared prior to PCS; contact the EFMP office at Naval Hospital Okinawa for pre-screening and enrollment; Okinawa has limited special education and specialty medical resources compared to CONUS

OCONUS-Specific Information

  • SOFA Status: U.S. military personnel and their command-sponsored dependents on Okinawa are covered under the U.S.-Japan Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA), signed in 1960. The SOFA governs the legal status, rights, and responsibilities of U.S. forces in Japan, including jurisdiction over criminal offenses, customs privileges, vehicle registration, and tax exemptions. Supplemental agreements and the Okinawa Consolidation Plan (SACO agreements of 1996 and subsequent updates) continue to shape the U.S. military presence on Okinawa.
  • Host Nation Rules: Personnel must comply with Japanese laws and Okinawa prefectural regulations at all times off base. Public intoxication, noise violations, and traffic offenses are taken very seriously and can result in both host nation legal proceedings and military disciplinary action. Respect for local residents and communities is of paramount importance given the political sensitivity of the U.S. military presence on Okinawa.
  • Curfew Policy: All U.S. military personnel assigned to Okinawa are subject to a Liberty Policy enforced by III MEF. The standard off-base curfew is 2400 (midnight) to 0500 for E-5 and below (specific hours subject to command policy updates and force protection conditions). Personnel may not consume alcohol off base after the curfew begins. Curfew restrictions have been periodically tightened following incidents involving military personnel. Commands issue Liberty Risk Management briefs, and violations result in significant disciplinary consequences. Personnel should confirm current curfew hours with their unit upon arrival, as policies change.
  • Ration Card / Customs: All personnel and command-sponsored family members are issued a Ration Control Card (RCC) — also called a Ration Control Plate or privilege card — which controls the purchase of duty-free goods including alcohol, tobacco, and certain high-value items at on-base facilities. Purchases of rationed items are tracked electronically. Reselling or transferring rationed items to Japanese nationals is illegal under both SOFA and Japanese law and can result in serious criminal penalties. Personnel must declare all items brought off base that exceed Japanese customs allowances.
  • Vehicle Registration & Licensing: All privately owned vehicles (POVs) must be registered with the installation Provost Marshal Office (PMO) and comply with Japanese Compulsory Insurance (JCI) requirements. Personnel driving on Okinawa must obtain a Japan Driver’s License (JDL) issued under SOFA procedures — this requires a written test, vision test, and, in some cases, a driving test; the U.S. state license alone is not valid. Vehicle inspections (shaken/JCI) are required periodically. Left-hand traffic is the rule in Japan; Okinawa roads are narrow in many areas, and local traffic laws apply fully to SOFA personnel. Importing a personally owned vehicle from CONUS involves customs procedures and may not be cost-effective; most service members purchase vehicles on island.
  • Language & Culture: Japanese is the official language; Okinawan (Ryukyuan) language and cultural traditions are also present. Learning basic Japanese phrases is strongly encouraged. Okinawan culture has a distinct identity from mainland Japan. Key cultural considerations include removing shoes when entering homes, quieter conduct in public, and awareness of local sensitivities regarding the U.S. military presence. Many businesses near military installations have English-speaking staff.
  • Currency & Banking: The Japanese yen (JPY) is the official currency. U.S. dollars are accepted at most on-base facilities. ATMs accepting U.S. debit/credit cards are available on base and at many off-base locations (7-Eleven and Japan Post ATMs). On-base banking includes Navy Federal Credit Union and Community Bank branches at Camp Foster; USAA and other financial institutions offer remote services.
  • Travel Restrictions: Personnel must comply with III MEF travel authorization policies. Travel to mainland Japan or international destinations requires leave approval and may require command travel authorization. Some destinations in the Pacific may require country clearance. Intra-Okinawa travel is generally unrestricted but subject to the liberty/curfew policy. Personnel should check current travel policy with their unit S-1 or administrative section.
  • Mail: APO address format: Unit [Unit Number], Box [Box Number], APO AP 96xxx (zip codes vary by installation and unit). Mail is delivered through the USPS military mail system; delivery times from CONUS average 1-2 weeks for first-class mail and up to 4-6 weeks for packages depending on postage class. Priority and Express Mail are faster options. Large packages may be subject to size and weight restrictions.
  • Pets: Japan has strict pet import regulations. Dogs and cats must meet specific vaccination, microchipping, titer testing, and treatment requirements enforced by the Animal Quarantine Service (AQS) of Japan. The process can take 180 days or more if not started well in advance of the PCS move. Failure to meet import requirements results in a mandatory quarantine period at the owner’s expense at an approved facility. Certain dog breeds may be restricted. Personnel should begin the Japan pet import process at least 6 months before their projected move date and work closely with their current base veterinary clinic. Rabbits, birds, and other exotic pets have separate and often more restrictive import regulations.

Local Area & Quality of Life

  • Climate: Okinawa has a subtropical climate with warm, humid summers (June-September) with typhoon season, mild winters (December-February), and a rainy season (tsuyu) in May-June. Temperatures range from approximately 15C (59F) in winter to 33C (91F) or higher in summer with high humidity.
  • Cost of Living: Generally comparable to mid-tier U.S. metropolitan areas for on-base goods; off-base costs in yen terms have fluctuated significantly with exchange rate changes. The OHA is intended to offset off-base housing costs. Dining and everyday expenses off base can be very reasonable by Western standards.
  • Nearby Attractions: Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium (one of the world’s largest, in northern Okinawa), Shuri Castle (UNESCO World Heritage Site in Naha, rebuilt after 2019 fire and ongoing restoration), American Village in Chatan (shopping, entertainment district popular with military families), Okinawa’s extensive coral reef beaches and diving spots, and traditional Ryukyuan cultural sites across the island.
  • Spouse Employment: The Marine Corps Family Services (MCFS) Employment Readiness Program at Camp Foster assists military spouses with job searches, resume writing, and career counseling. Employment opportunities exist on base at the MCX, commissary, child development centers, schools, and contractor positions. Off-base employment is possible but requires compliance with SOFA work authorization rules; most spouses working off base must obtain appropriate work authorization.

Contact & Resources

Last updated: 2026-02-22
Sources: Marine Corps Installations Pacific (MCIPAC) official website (mcipac.marines.mil), MCCS Okinawa (okinawa.usmc-mccs.org), III MEF official resources, U.S.-Japan SOFA documentation, Defense Travel Management Office (DTMO), DoDEA Pacific-Okinawa District (dodea.edu), Defense Commissary Agency (commissaries.com), Naval Hospital Okinawa resources

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