Deployment's coming up, want to learn Japanese.

[Fiye]

I suppose it's not the best environment for it, but I'm interested in putting my time aboard a floating prison [USS Enterprise] to something other than Video Games, Maintenance, Operating, and qualifying.

Right now, I'm wondering what the best tools to use to learn japanese. I've tried this venture before [Well, specifically bought books and never used them outside of a week] several years ago, and I have a Complete Idiot's Guide to Conversational Japanese and a Japanese - English Random House dictionary.

Also, a Kindle if that helps ease any pain.

[Shirai]

Japanese for busy people

[Sugami]

I don't know about books. Tapes (or CDs now) are pretty good but you still need to motivate yourself to listen to them. Best thing (though most expensive) is to find yourself a tutor, one that will preferable teach you through the Japanese proficiency tests.

[Shirai]

Best thing (though most expensive) is to find yourself a tutor

I don't think he can stow away a person on a ship for that long without anyone noticing Sug.
That said, in your situation I still think books and audio are the best way to go, along with some self discipline.

Oh and perhaps a crewmate to practice with.

[Alya Mizar (Tsybil)]

Doesn't the Enterprise have a crew of almost 5,000?

And seeing as Japanese Americans often maintain some language proficiency even after 5 - 7 generations of assimilation, I would think the odds of finding someone among a crew that big with some Japanese fair.

I think the odds of finding someone with a similar interest for a study partner, and to help with motivation, far higher.

[Sugami]

Oh so the thing about the USS Enterprise means he's in the navy, was wondering what that was about

[Fiye]

If I can find someone's who Japanese, sure. Sure, there's 5,000 people aboard the ship, but currently 1,500 of them are not on the ship. They'll be arriving soon, but they'll be working more on the flight deck than anywhere else.

The fact that I'm in Reactor Department doesn't help my situation, being a part of a group of people with an average ASVAB score of 90~. I might come across someone who's Japanese, and help with learning how to speak it naturally and fluently. And to be honest, I don't think the USS Enterprise is going anywhere near Japan. The fact that the ship's a certifiable antique (50 years) just makes this upcoming underway that much more... exciting?

@Sugami: Holy crap, I think that'd actually help out the most. The biggest things I'm wondering is about the workbooks. I'm going to assume the key for those is either non-existant, or a part of the teacher's book.

And the first volume has both Kana and Romanized versions. I've heard learning Kana as soon as possible makes later Japanese easier. Would it be best to get both editions, or to stick it out with the Kana edition?

Also, if being in the Navy surprises you. How about the fact that since I joined the navy two years ago, I've become legally old enough to drink in America, Married, and I now have a kid on the way.

[Shirai]

As someone that speaks a bit more than baisc Japanese I can really recommend learning the kana as soon as possible.
What really helped me was learning those and reading shônen manga.

Shônen/shôjou manga is mostly written in kana and most of the kanji have furigana.
These help greatly with your vocabulary and understanding of their grammar.

As for naturally speaking, you'll really have to look for a crewmate for that, preferably one that already speaks Japanese.