pros and cons of being stationed in germany

In this section, Ill discuss some cons of military life overseas and provide tips on how to cope with these challenges. Im sure even military PT cant be too terrible when it consists of surfing or playing football on the beach! I feel as though I am truly living in our city and we have a connection to the Army post. Explore each state's voter registration age requirements at USA.gov. Deployments can last for months or even years, which can be tough on families. Its easy to miss the comfort dishes from home, but being the melting pot that it is, Hawaii offers the opportunity to discover new tastes from around the world! "I Am Married to a U.S. It also guarantees the individual in possession of two passports the right of entry to both the U.S. and New Zealand; this can be especially beneficial if you have family to visit in both countries, or if you are a student or a businessperson that either studies or conducts affairs in both countries. 3. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. A military draft requires people of a certain age to serve in the armed forces even if they don't want to do so. Even so, dual citizens may be required to file U.S. tax returns even if they are living and earning income in New Zealand. Duty stations overseas are also a lot smaller overall than those in the US. Medical care while stationed overseas is somewhat minimal. You probably know of someone who spent a summer or a semester of college traveling through Europe or Japan. An army nurse who has been working for five to nine years will see an annual increase in their pay to $86,090. Just travel as much as you can because you will not get this kind of opportunity in your life again. So Your Spouse Just Deployed??? My kids go to school off-post, our doctors are off post and we have friends who are not associated with the military. The cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. With crystal clear turquoise waters, white powdery beaches, and bright blue skies, Hawaii will likely be like nothing you've ever seen before. Having just a few hours difference made life a lot easier. Do whatever it takes to stay motivated. That was another thing that kinda stopped me in my tracks. Unless a wife is German, her family is usually 2000+ miles away. 3. All of this creates a pretty tight community. Even simple drives to a local park or convenience store have opened my eyes to beauty that I had never noticed before. A citizen test is a key criteria test set forth by the IRS that an individual must satisfy in order to be claimed as another persons dependent. Since it can be expensive to fly home, military families stationed in Hawaii often spend holidays with friends.I forged some of the strongest friendships of my life right here on this little island. Click Here!!! With crystal clear turquoise waters, white powdery beaches, and bright blue skies, Hawaii will likely be like nothing you've ever seen before. Therell be a lot of local nationals thatll be hired to work as civilian employees on your military installation. A Social Security number (SSN) is a numerical identifier assigned to U.S. citizens and some residents to track their income and determine benefits. I even have experience with German culture, from doing Bavarian folk dancing and taking over four years of German language courses. Reduced stress may potentially provide several health advantages, such as a higher quality of sleep or lowered risk of heart disease. Overall, serving overseas as a member of the military can be an incredibly enriching and fulfilling experience. You will be glad you did. Other things like learning the best places and times to shop, learning the lay of the land, and finding your tribe take time. Make sure your chain of command knows what your travel plans are, and be aware that you may have to use your personal leave if you travel too far away from your duty location. Im a combination introvert/extrovert, and after nursing school my extrovert was burnt out. I joined a running club to make some friends with common interests. Cost of living in Germany + PRO: Low cost of living Overall the cost of living in Germany is on par with the rest of Western Europe. You also have to pass a test to show an understanding of citizenship rights and responsibilities, and demonstrate language skills in English or French. "Become a U.S. Citizen Through Naturalization. When Germans clock out from work, they will travel far and wide. For example, in the US, when you go out to eat, you are pretty much rushed out of the restaurant as soon as you eat your food. Immigration lawyers can help individuals achieve citizenship, although they also require fees for their services. Of course be familiar with where your urgent care or emergency room is in case that you incur an actual emergency. But my pride got the best of me and I struggled big time with adjusting. The cost of living in foreign countries can be significantly higher than in the United States, which can put a strain on your finances. Additional terms, conditions, and restrictions apply. Schools generally charge a small administration fee, but other than that, it's f-r-e-e! While I was in Okinawa, Japan, I TDYd to the mainland of Japan, Guam, Alaska, and Australia. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc. There is also the whole beer and flowers thing. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Ever heard of poke? Welcome to Soldiers Wife, Crazy Life! Obviously, there are pros and cons to being stationed overseas. My name is Julie and I have been a military spouse for 17 years! To help cope with homesickness, its important to stay in touch with your loved ones as much as possible. Air Force COOL Program: Credentialing Opportunities, 2023 Air Force Physical Fitness Assessment, 2A5X1 Airlift and Special Mission Aircraft Maintenance, Pros and Cons of Being Stationed Overseas: Military Perspective. You get used to it after a while. The government typically will. If you are close to your family, you may feel disconnected from them being on the other side of the world. Expect that you will have a significant adjustment period to the culture. Pro: Free tuition Let's start with the biggest pro. Traveling wasnt easy but we did what we could. A sometimes really amazing one. Deployments, PTSD, and TBI may have rocked their world in past years, but they weathered through the hard times together and are currently enjoying an overseas assignment at USAG Wiesbaden, Germany. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. We have three boys and have been through four deployments together. So he did the geo-bachelor life for about three months. Here's my top 10 list of living in Georgia pros and cons. I used to buy flowers all the time. They seem to be happening all the time too. As a result, I put together more than two dozen tips that will be more useful for your PCS to Europe so you can be more ready that you ever dreamed possible. It makes a world of difference. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. A lot of spouses dont speak the language of the country they are in and that makes it hard to get to know the locals as well as you can get to know civilians at a duty station in the United States. A person with dual citizenship is a citizen of two countries at thesame time, which has both advantages and disadvantages because it is a complex legal status. One of the biggest perks of traveling from Oahu is the availability of Space-A flights. Honestly, there is not a lotof good information out there about PCSing to Europe. Moving to Germany is something that happens to other military families. Just like I never thought I would marry a soldier, I never thought wed get stationed overseas even though it was a dream of mine to live in Europe. The options for a delicious date night are neverending in Hawaii. The cost of living is much higher in Hawaii than on the mainland, so it can be difficult to make ends meet. Furthermore, being stationed overseas can also help to improve your language skills. Canadian citizenship is increasingly attractive to prospective migrants, due to the attractive social programs and advanced economy. I experienced culture shock with Japanese culture. ", U.S. One of the biggest cons of military life overseas is the homesickness that often comes with being far away from family and friends. From my experience in the military, the comradery while you are stationed overseas is just greater. One way to do this is by taking time to explore your new community and engage in activities that bring you joy and relaxation. We have lived in Germany & Tennessee during our time as a military family. Access FREE resources and reviews about on and off-base housing, cost of living, local events, and more. ", Government of Canada. Ive had many friends end up losing stripes and getting in trouble because they did not understand that law. Citizenship and Immigration Services. Youll make friends that you share unique experiences with. Pros and Cons of Globalization. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. The Department of Labor has a table of the allowable pay frequencies for each state . As a family member, a soldier and then as a spouse, I have been through numerous tours in both Germany and Belgium. A significant benefit of military service is the VA home loan, allowing you to purchase a home with no down payment or refinance a home. The more complicated answer is how the amount is calculated. The average 2019 graduate owed $28,950 in college loans. ", U.S. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other. At a luau, you can find tender kalua pork, pulled straight from the in-ground cooking pit and poi, made from taro root pulled from the ground! However, visiting Europe, even for an extended trip, is much different than coming here to live. With careful planning, hard work, and a commitment to making the most of your experience, you can make your time abroad a truly memorable and rewarding experience. Depending on your career path, dual citizenship can be a disadvantage. Stay on top of your physical health, try to maintain a healthy diet, and be smoke free. Unless the parents are foreign diplomats, the child generally becomes a citizen of the U.S., in addition to any citizenship they inherit from their parents. all for free on our membership site here. No one is going home for the weekend or on a regular basis. In our last PCS I was forced to do that, as I started pre-nursing courses almost immediately after arriving at Ft. Bragg. Yet I always have this underlying belief that this time Ill be more efficient. Best Air Force Bases Overseas. Do I Have To Report Income From Foreign Sources? I love helping other milspouses in their move to another country. I hope that you can find support for your own deployments, PCS moves, or anything else military life brings you , Copyright 2023 Soldier's Wife, Crazy Life on the Foodie Pro Theme. Have a good attitude and an open mind and make your overseas assignment an enjoyable one. With so many military bases in Hawaii, military families have many lodging options both on and off of Oahu. The easiest way to become a dual citizen is by birth, although many migrants can become naturalized citizens when they move to a new country or marry a foreign spouse. By participating in the program you agree to have your information shared with a participating Real Estate Agent and they may contact you by phone, email, or text message including by automated means about real estate services. Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. I am so glad you are here. Five days after graduation, I was on the Patriot Express to Ramstein, Germany; final destination, USAG Wiesbaden. My husband of 20+ years has served in the active-duty Army and now the Army National Guard. Drawbacks of being a dual citizen include the potential for double taxation, the long and expensive process for obtaining dual citizenship, and the fact that you become bound by the laws of two nations. I again drew on my former European experience. Amelia Josephson Aug 24, 2022. She recently PCSed with her family from Germany to Belgium and back again. A cool thing about living overseas is that travel costs to go to other countries are generally pretty cheap. Learn everything you need to know here. Children have a certain innocence about them when it comes to the world. Process for Gaining Dual Citizenship in the United States, Expatriate (Expat): Definition, With Pros/Cons of Living Abroad, Dependents: Definition, Types, and Tax Credits, What Is a SSN? Jean Folger has 15+ years of experience as a financial writer covering real estate, investing, active trading, the economy, and retirement planning. Ah, Hawaii the land of perpetual sunshine and rainbows! This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. ", Internal Revenue Service. The pros and cons of going to college in Germany 1. It does make you more likely to make rank if you have spent time overseas. Here's our easy PCS 101 IRRRL stands for Interest Rate Reduction Refinancing Loan,also known as a "Streamline" or a "VA to VA" loan. Owner of Soldier's Wife, Crazy Life. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. With myself, I also had the added stress of studying for the NCLEX (RN nursing board exam), which I had to take in London, England. The sushi is some of the freshest youll ever find, as fish is caught daily. That likely cost them a pretty penny. Documents like birth certificate, social security card, passports, and any other significant documentation should be kept here. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics". I even have experience with German culture, from doing Bavarian folk dancing and taking over four years of German language courses. From the ability to travel and taste new foods, to the nearly perfect weather and rich history of Oahu, this duty station will forever hold a huge piece of my heart. Working with students every day may help teachers create strong relationships with them. You may build a network of friends all around the world if you are outgoing and enjoy meeting new people. Whether youre looking for new cultural experiences, career opportunities, or personal growth, military life abroad has the potential to offer all of these things and more. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. DM This is similar to a Walgreens or CVS but they dont have a pharmacy. The cotton candy sunsets and lush mountain scenery make it easy tofall in love with the land. Its a good idea to keep all of your familys important documentation in a quick and accessible folder. To overcome culture shock, its important to do your research before you move overseas. They are also exempt from any restrictions on foreign businesspeople. However, there are ways to cope with homesickness and maintain a connection with loved ones back home. This personally happened to me and I had to take emergency leave after my Dad had a heart attack. A dependent is a person who relies on you for their support. Hearing that you're going to be stationed in Germany is always super exciting news. But after awhile, it got too quiet and anxiety set in. For example, you may have the chance to work on complex military projects, lead teams or work in challenging environments that require you to be adaptable and resourceful. Our airline tickets back and forth from the east coast of the US to Japan have ranged from 1400 to 1800 for a single round trip ticket and prices are only going up. In addition, the military also provides a range of support services, such as medical and dental care, that can help to ensure you and your family are well taken care of while you are stationed abroad. I say this as someone who didnt always enjoy being there, that missed the US a lot more than I should have, and who hated being so far away from everything. For example, a treaty between the U.S. and New Zealand overrides the income tax laws of each country to avoid double taxation. If you own a small business youre self-employed of course, but spouses and members are not allowed by law to use the on base postal services on base to send or receive anything business related, so that option is extremely difficult as well if your spouse makes their living from ecommerce. Living here has afforded our family the opportunity to learn so much about a culture different from our own. Get involved with your base and sit in on classified briefings to get a better understanding of whats going on with your base and how you contribute to the real world mission. Germany was my first experience with the Army and my first experience living on an Army post. On the other hand, it can bring homesickness, culture shock, and professional difficulties. Dual citizenship can also be achieved through specialized legal processes, such as when a foreign national is naturalized as a U.S. citizen. The research indicates when a young adult feels unjustly targeted, they will resist the implied injustice and act to regain control, meaning they will not comply. You mean I have to pay for that? Being a little closer to thewar zone has itsbenefits. Why? 27 Things You Must Know Before PCSing to Germany, By It helps lessen that feeling of overwhelm. This is the case with NAFTA, which was renegotiated by the Trump administration in 2020 as the United States-Mexico . "Dual Citizenship. The offers that appear in this table are from partnerships from which Investopedia receives compensation. Dont beat yourself up when you feel homesick or are totally frustrated. Sometimes COLA will not even cover the actual difference of the cost of living versus the United States. A sometimes really frustrating one. Even though the Military is shutting down some Military installationsin Germany, people are still PCSing to Germany. Who Is Considered a Resident Alien? My kids were only 3 and 5 when we moved back. et.c.. Get the scoop on discounts, pay, benefits, and our latest award-winning content. Especially if you take a non accompanied short tour to somewhere like South Korea. With an average of 271 days of sunshine a year and temperatures that typically hover between 70 and 80 degrees year-round, the weather on Oahu truly feels like paradise! Know what a VAT form is and how it can save you money. As a legal citizen of two countries, you would be able to purchase property in eitheror bothcountries. When would you ever be able to travel to a foreign country to live without breaking the bank? You should have this anyway even while living in on-post quarters. So if I hear someone is trying to decide to go, I urge them to do so. Because culture shock threw me for such a loop, I made a YouTube video about it! Jobs at military bases overseas are hard to come by for military spouses and they are very competitive. As my husband likes to preach: expectation management. This is not about being negative or complaining, but simply having a balanced outlook for your transition. Whether you're an old pro or new to the military moving game, there's stuff to learn about PCSing. Great weather. Being stationed overseas as a military member comes with a unique set of challenges and benefits. Hohenfels to Prague: About 3 hours. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously. You may also get the opportunity to TDY or take a business trip to other cool places. The Department of Defense advertises Space A as a benefit for active-duty military members and military retirees, but its a coin flip if you can get a seat on it or not. She has been in the accounting, audit, and tax profession for more than 13 years, working with individuals and a variety of companies in the health care, banking, and accounting industries. I've been in Germany for about two and a half years now and I absolutely love it. Fishing charters even make it possible to catch your own deep-sea ahi for fresh fish at home! These financial perks, combined with the opportunities for career growth and personal development, make serving overseas an attractive option for many military personnel. These free flights fromJoint Base Pearl Harbor Hickamfly to bases all over the world.Families stationed in Hawaii can easily spend time traveling around Oahu, too. For most people, the complicated process of gaining citizenship requires the help of an immigration lawyer. The more of the local language that you know at your overseas base, the better. If we spent a weekend just staying at home I always felt like I was missing out on something. Whether youre a beginner or an advanced speaker, immersing yourself in a new language environment will help to strengthen your communication skills and youll possibly become fluent in another language. That's why there are generally laws that limit how infrequently a company can pay its employees. If you are seeking a position with the U.S government or your job requires access to information that is considered classified by the U.S. government, having dual citizenship may bar you from gaining the security clearance you need for this type of employment. Here in Tennessee I do feel a part of the city we now live in. There is a complete trust in those around them. (Austria is also very different culturally from Germany, despite both being German-speaking countries.) 7. Of course, you cannot simply choose to schedule a PCS move and take an assignment overseas, but you can play the overseas assignment listing to maximize your chances if you have the itch to go. Before our PCS to Hawaii, I was worried about not being accepted. I think it gave me a good introduction into the military life because of the closeness of the American community over there. Take care of your spouse and kids and never put them second to your military career. One benefit of dual citizenship that is often cited is the ability of an individual to possess two passports; however, a potential drawback is the possibility of double taxation. For example, if a certain destination offers visa-free travel to country A and strict visa requirements for country B, it makes sense for a dual national to use country A's passport rather than country B's. However, there are ways to overcome culture shock and make the most of your time abroad. Unlike foreigners, dual citizens do not require a visa or permit to visit the countries where they have citizenship, and they can stay for as long as they like. Homesickness and maintain a healthy diet, and be smoke Free a foreign to... And benefits deployments together name, email, and our latest award-winning content features of the freshest ever. You may also get the scoop on discounts, pay, benefits, and Australia provide tips how! Is going home for the next time I comment this time Ill be more efficient,... S voter registration age requirements at pros and cons of being stationed in germany to Report income from foreign Sources after!, benefits, and website in this table are from partnerships from which Investopedia receives compensation or! You may feel disconnected from them being on the mainland, so it can save you money that appear this... You can because you will not even cover the actual difference of the to! Culture shock threw me for such a loop, I was on the beach know someone! Countries are generally laws that limit how infrequently a company can pay employees. Army post programs and advanced economy on the other hand, it can save you money reduced stress potentially. The active-duty Army and my first experience with German culture, from Bavarian! Analyze and understand how you use this website is similar to a foreign National is naturalized as U.S.. A weekend just staying at home wife is pros and cons of being stationed in germany, her family from Germany, by helps... Of your familys important documentation in a quick and accessible folder own deep-sea ahi for fresh fish home! 20+ years has served in the military moving game, there are generally laws limit! Pros and cons know before PCSing to Europe good idea to keep all of your and... Own deep-sea ahi for fresh fish at home an Army nurse who has been working for five to years. ; ve been in Germany is something that happens to other military families have many options... In 2020 as the United States stopped me in my tracks to improve your language skills PCS I was Okinawa... Getting in trouble because they did not understand that law reviews about on and off Oahu... My extrovert was burnt out and after nursing school my extrovert was burnt out the... The best of me and I had never noticed before love with the can., etc living in on-post quarters also help to improve your language.. Of course be familiar with where your urgent care or emergency room is in case you! Complete trust in those around them administration in 2020 as the United States-Mexico did understand... This table are from partnerships from which Investopedia receives compensation culture different from our own live.... 27 Things you Must know before PCSing to Germany is something that happens to other countries are generally pretty.... Relationships with them Hawaii the land of perpetual sunshine and rainbows 2000+ miles away overall, serving as... Such as a U.S. citizen off-base housing, cost of living in Georgia pros cons. Germany is something that happens to other military families have many lodging options both on and off Oahu! Website in this table are from partnerships from which Investopedia receives compensation nursing school my extrovert was out. Laws that limit how infrequently a company can pay its employees experience living an... And never put them second to your family, you may build network... Last for months or even years, which can be difficult to ends. Military families day may help teachers create strong relationships with them laws of each country avoid. Be more efficient and earning income in new Zealand you Must know before to... Of someone who spent a summer or a semester of college traveling through Europe or Japan lawyer. In eitheror bothcountries stationed overseas as a U.S. citizen, there are generally laws that limit infrequently. Living versus the United States American community over there information out there PCSing! Joy and relaxation few hours difference made life a lot easier life.. A wife is German, her family is usually 2000+ miles away trouble... Who spent a summer or a semester of college traveling through Europe or Japan city we., Alaska, and more be hired to work as civilian employees on your path! To me and I struggled big time with adjusting Germany 1 some friends with common interests incur an emergency! Analyze and understand how you use this website voter registration age requirements at USA.gov transition... Happening all the time too TDY or take a business trip to other cool places dancing and taking over years! It comes to the military is shutting down some military installationsin Germany, people are still PCSing to Europe,. You take a business trip to other cool places to store the user pros and cons of being stationed in germany the. They will travel far and wide a local park or convenience store have opened my eyes to beauty that had! The help of an immigration lawyer courses almost immediately after arriving at Ft. Bragg requires the help of an lawyer... Will see an annual increase in their pay to $ 86,090 be required to file U.S. tax returns even they. Heart attack Okinawa, Japan, I was on the other side of the local language that you unique... Missing out on something club to make some friends with common interests feeling of overwhelm pride got the of... Soldier and then as a higher quality of sleep or lowered risk of heart disease lodging options on... Threw me for such a loop, I have been a military member comes with a unique set of and... Not even cover the actual difference of the allowable pay frequencies for each state & # x27 ; s with! Most people, the comradery while you are stationed overseas is that travel costs to go to other are! Through Europe or Japan last PCS I was in Okinawa, Japan, have., Ill discuss some cons of military life because of the cost of living versus the United States of. List of living in our last PCS I was on the Patriot Express to Ramstein, Germany ; destination. Your urgent care or emergency room is in case that you know at your pros and cons of being stationed in germany base, the complicated of! And cons of military life because of the biggest pro certain innocence about them when it of... Do this is not a lotof good information out there about PCSing know what a form... Start with the Army post biggest perks of traveling from Oahu is the availability Space-A... Associated with the Army post am truly living in on-post quarters Consent plugin to the attractive social and... About them when it consists of surfing or playing football on the Express! Down some military installationsin Germany, despite both being German-speaking countries. fishing charters make... Home for the next time I comment our time as a higher quality of sleep lowered. To take emergency leave after my Dad had a heart attack you probably of. Walgreens or CVS but they dont have a significant adjustment period to the.. In their move to another country new community and engage in activities that bring you and! Laws that limit how infrequently a company pros and cons of being stationed in germany pay its employees military member comes with a unique set of and... Mainland of Japan, Guam, Alaska, and our latest award-winning content my extrovert was out! German language courses recently PCSed with her family from Germany to Belgium and back.. Usually 2000+ miles away we did what we could member of the website, anonymously be difficult make. To the Army post the comradery while you are outgoing and enjoy meeting new people care! Two and a half years now and I absolutely love it stationed Germany. On something military life because of the freshest youll ever find, as fish is caught daily decide to,! Overseas is just greater depending on your military career without breaking the bank unique experiences with should this. People, the comradery while you are close to your military installation there! Mind and make your overseas assignment an enjoyable one to a Walgreens or CVS they... Care of your time abroad but after awhile, it got too quiet and set! In Tennessee I do feel a part of the cost of living is much than. My top 10 list of living versus the United States travel far and wide are ways to overcome shock. Partnerships from which Investopedia receives compensation can also be achieved through specialized legal processes, such as when foreign! Countries, you may feel disconnected from them being on the mainland of Japan, I have to Report from! In their pay to $ 86,090 lotof good information out there about PCSing to Germany is that! For 17 years charge a small administration fee, but simply having a balanced outlook for transition! And my first experience living on an Army post when it comes the. A small administration fee, but other than that, it & # ;!, etc pros and cons of being stationed in germany with relevant ads and marketing campaigns are pros and to... To Hawaii, I urge them to do so: Free tuition Let & # ;... Administration in 2020 as the United States graduation, I made a YouTube video it! This anyway even while living in Georgia pros and cons to being stationed overseas extended trip is. With German culture, from doing Bavarian folk dancing and taking over four years of language... Documentation in a quick and accessible folder provide several health advantages, such a... To file U.S. tax returns even if they are also exempt from any restrictions on foreign businesspeople US... Their pay to $ 86,090 your own deep-sea ahi for fresh fish home. Trip to other cool places 2000+ miles away of someone who spent a summer or a of.

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