Command approval required for off-duty work, dependent employment

  • Published
  • By 1st Lt. Michael T. Chen
  • 18th Wing Judge Advocate office
KADENA AIR BASE, Japan --  While many of us fall prey to the urge to either run to the beach or crash on the sofa following a full duty day or week, those impressive few who can muster the energy to pursue off-duty work still need to be aware of certain requirements before pursuing such employment.

With the newly released 18th Wing Instruction 36-2901, all military personnel, civilians and dependents in Japan associated with the 18th Wing must acquire command approval before commencing off-duty or civilian employment (with the exception of dependents with Japanese citizenship working off base).

Employment includes home businesses, self-employment or any other form of revenue-generating activity for personal gain. Teaching a language on or off-base and earning pocket money on base (such as: baby-sitting and newspapers routes) need no prior approval.

Military personnel, including civilian employees seeking off-duty employment, must submit an Air Force IMT 3902, Application and Approval for Off-Duty Employment package, to their supervisor. Dependents who wish to engage in employment other than in official, appropriated or non-appropriated fund positions with the U.S. Government must also submit an Air Force IMT 3902 to the 18th Wing Legal office, or to the 718th Civil Engineering Squadron housing flight prior to the legal office if proposed off-duty employment will occur in military family housing.

The Air Force IMT 3902 should describe in detail the nature, location and scope of the proposed employment and how it will be conducted. Commanders will approve or disapprove applications based on evaluation for compliance with 18th Wing Instruction 36-2901, local command regulations, U.S. Forces Japan Instruction 36-1001, Department of Defense 5500.7-R, and the U.S. and Japanese laws.

If approved, the Air Force IMT 3902 will be renewed annually. Individuals approved for employment must notify the approving authority of any change in the nature or termination of employment.

For those who wish to conduct commercial activity in military family housing, their Air Force IMT 3902 must be first submitted through the 718th Civil Engineering housing flight. Not only do base housing regulations have to be followed, all licensure and certification requirements that apply in the United States must be met.

For questions regarding food preparation, contact the 18th Wing Public Health flight, and for home child care, call the 18th Force Support Squadron. Additionally, any home services involving invasive procedures that break skin such as tattooing, piecing and pimple lancing are prohibited.

By adhering to the above, industrious military personnel and dependents at Kadena can pursue their off-duty and base housing interests without running afoul of base regulations.