To me, this is a pro, as it forces us to take some time to rest and recharge. In one weekend I saw 4 different countries. There you have it. If you are born in Germany to US parents, you can retain both citizenships. everything you need to know about being stationed at jblm There is even insurance in case you are a victim of a phishing email scam. Stationed in Germany Archives - Soldier's Wife, Crazy Life If you drink alcohol, this is a cool thing. chop shop cars where are they now; trail king tag trailers for sale Other things like learning the best places and times to shop, learning the lay of the land, and finding your tribe take time. And then he got orders to Germany. When they leave, they sell the car to an incoming military family. (It IS possible for government housing to feel like home!) Munich, Hamburg and Berlin are frequently ranked in the top 10 'most livable' cities in Germany. I enjoy it. If you're an 88 you'll get lots of miles, usually at least one four day per month, been here in baumholder two years, been able to travel 16 countries, good place to be. It's amazing. Sponsors often go so far as to pick you up from the airport or arrange your transportation in-country. We have a whole section about insurances. You will miss them when you get back to the states. Most hospital workers can speak English, so expats wont experience a language barrier. Verify your free subscription by following the instructions in the email sent to: The creep of PCS anxiety is setting in. Germans love to complain about everything. I think that Germany works so efficiently because people abide by the rules. https://youtu.be/mqFEQIv4IjA You are not alone in your feelings. Most military families simply buy their car once they arrive in country since they know it will be well-suited to local conditions. So much so that rumor has it that Walt Disney got inspiration from a German castle to create the iconic Sleeping Beauty Castle. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. Some bases have nothing around them and other have major cities. You can either bring the beers yourself or buy them from a kiosk. Hamsters, gerbils, snakes, birds and other animals are out of luck here. Im sure if you give Germany a chance, you might also fall in love with this beautiful country. Gas is around $4.20 a gallon these days and a debit card-like system is used. Living in Stuttgart currently. Most important, your military spouse won't receive any additional monies such as Overseas Cost of Living Allowance (COLA) or Overseas Housing Allowance (OHA) for living off the installation. U.S. military posture in Europe also helps build the readiness of NATO allies and improve interoperabilityultimately decreasing the security burden on the United States. Unlike the US, all the prices you see online and in any shop already include the VAT (consumption tax). Globe Media cannot accept any responsibility for any loss or inconvenience to any person as a result of information contained above. 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. The starting point is that US Forces in . This is not about being negative or complaining, but simply having a balanced outlook for your transition. benefits of being stationed overseas. 14 Pros and Cons of Living in Germany - Vittana.org benefits of being stationed in germany. If you are getting ready to be stationed there, you are in for a treat! Please contact us if you'd like to contribute. JBLM is split into parts. If you plan to or already have retired or separated from the military in an overseas location, there are VA resources waiting for you via phone, e-mail, and online: Basic VA benefit questions and assistance- (412) 395-6272 or visit the VA Inquiry Routing and Information System. This is without a doubt the best assignment I have ever had. Pets, in this case, means dogs or cats. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Expat Arrivals is looking for locals to contribute to this guide, and answer forum questions from others planning their move to Germany. You will be able to do so many amazing things, and your memories will stay with you for the rest of your life. In other words, Germany is imposing tax (and apparently penalties) on the income earned by US military personnel stationed in Germany. The following two tabs change content below. Once you know that you that your next set of orders will be sending you abroad, contact the Transportation Management Office (TMO) to learn the logistical nitty-gritty details relative to your move. Parents have to ensure their kid's name isn't too unusual, is in the best interests of the baby, and makes their gender clear (for some reason). Travel Europe Without a Visa. USAREUR License: A Complete Guide to US Military Driving in Germany. The actual German food, such as bratwurst is really good as well. Yes (sarc), but driving on the autobahn like a crazy American and ordering "drei weissbier" with the wrong fingers might affect your suitability for German citizenship. By clicking Accept, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. LORAN radiation. Cold War Veterans Health Issues | Veterans Affairs The most important one, which almost every German has, is the personal liability insurance (Hapftlichversicherung), which covers the costs you might have if you accidentally break someones belongings or cause an accident. To learn about adjusting to life in the country, read Culture Shock in Germany. If you compare the 1.500 euros to tuition fees in other countries (cough cough the USA), it seems like a fantastic deal. Pros: No language barrier, easy move-in and move-out, make first friends within your stairwell, commissary is close by, usually kid's schools are within walking distance, no commute Wendy Payne Cons: Sometimes a little too close for comfort to neighbors, can feel isolated from surroundings, still have difficulties with utilities and internet It helps lessen that feeling of overwhelm. Though it may not be good for you because it's still McDonald's, it is much better for you than the McDonalds in the states. We were stationed in Germany for four years back in 2006-2010. However, visiting Europe, even for an extended trip, is much different than coming here to live. Finer Point #2: A good sponsor is worth his weight in gold. Old processes and bureaucracy that is so German. Having unrestricted access to Germany through citizenship means that visas or residence permits' requirements do not limit you. Almost every contract you sign with a service provider (internet, mobile phone, gym, insurance, etc.) Fr den Reiter. List of the Pros of Living in Germany 1. And they should. You can now cancel or change contracts with a one-month notice period after the first 24 months. Related Guide: An Introduction to the German School System. Every morning I got to wake up wondering. Expats are often surprised at the Germans punctuality and discipline. Unaccompanied baggage generally consists of the essentials you need to set up house, such as extra clothes, utensils, pots and pans, a television, a computer and an ironing board. Also you'll be getting 4 day weekends every month. It makes a world of difference. Chernobyl Illnesss From West Germany - Veterans Benefits Network Please note that this requirement also applies to you if you were born in a US military base in Germany. From our experience and other expats', the pros, more often than not, outweigh the cons. Right in your inbox. Try to keep an open mind: Unlike the last PCS, you aren't moving a couple states over. Finer Point # 4: Some things can be shipped; others cannot. Related Guide: Best Internet Providers in Germany. (Your mileage may vary). You can travel to the north, explore the German beaches, or go to the south and explore the Alps! The same rules for Sunday apply every day after 10 pm. This is the example of dasElterngeld, an app designed to help new parents file for parental allowance (Elterngeld). Cash is still a super common thing. Are there any womens groups I can join in Powai, India? Complaining is an art in Germany. 7 days, 7 emails! Yankee go home: What does moving American troops out of Germany mean? According to an article from the Deutsche Welle, the crime rates fell to the lowest in decades in 2018. The Sip: Happy Halloween With a Side of MilSpouseFest benefits of being stationed in germany - reitchaps-shop.de On average, a 30-year old might have up to 7 insurances! Finding a cinema that shows movies in their original language is quite an adventure in Germany. My parents came for my graduation and to help with the last-minute PCS tasks, like overseeing the movers. -Can I take foreign language courses nearby? They carry a deep secret fear that one day there will be a knock at the door. What US Army units are stationed in Germany? - Heimduo Clearly, a new digital camera should be high on your current list of "must-haves.". Germany has a great public transport system. I'm a US citizen that was born on a Military Base in Germany. I'm You can simply cross borders with a car or by air. One will be in something called "unaccompanied baggage" and the other will be in your actual "household goods" shipment. German Aid to Education: Good for Development or Good for Germany The biggest mistake I made last year was isolating myself. A typical German is actually required to take a class that costs thousands of dollars, is hundreds (yes, as in 300+) hours of classwork and driving practice and pass a difficult test in order to receive a drivers license. All the family meets, drinks, dances (sometimes), and eats until the mornings early hours. It is such good quality that you can drink it directly from the tap. Boy is that accurate. I am so glad you are here. Im a combination introvert/extrovert, and after nursing school my extrovert was burnt out. Have you ever been stationed overseas? Due to the bureaucracy, the digitization of services has been challenging in Germany. According to the European Cyclists Federation, Germany ranks as the fifth European country in its Barometer, which looks at bicycle usage, cycling safety, and market size, among other cycling statistics. Germany has so much history and places to explore. This did not go well in Latin America, where Im originally from. Plan to ask good questions in the first place and you will be rewarded with clear answers. In our last PCS I was forced to do that, as I started pre-nursing courses almost immediately after arriving at Ft. Bragg. a motorcycle. Normally OCONUS assignments are three years, so you will have at least two years during which youll feel pretty comfortable! benefits of being stationed in germany. Compared to coastal cities in the US and other major European countries, Germany is relatively affordable. Every president in the post-Cold War period has sought to close U.S. military bases overseas, particularly in Europe. I say the most because unis in Baden-Wrttemberg charge, on average, 1.500 euros in tuition fees per semester. Won't be eligible to use the military medical and/or dental care services. All rights reserved. I felt like I got run over by a bus every day for at least two weeks! Make sure to check it out if you are on the lookout for any. Why Overseas Military Bases Continue to Make Sense for the United States There are, of course, some crimes happening in every major city within Germany. When i got to Fort Riley i realized the army is very different in America. 0 . Taking advantage of affordable education in Germany and the EU. The packers will mark them as "professional items" and their weight will not be counted against your limit. benefits of being stationed in germany; Posted by: Comments: 0 Post Date: June 9, 2022 . However, by buying a water filter like this one, you can still enjoy some fresh tap water. I'm amazed with how many bases Army has throughout Germany. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other. It helps lessen that feeling of overwhelm. These movies are called OV (original version) or OMU (Original with subtitles in English), and few cinemas play them. So he did the geo-bachelor life for about three months. In many areas of government, the federal states have great freedom of decision; for example, in education policy. Although the system is not perfect, it is quite reliable, safe, and you can arrive almost anywhere with it. Generally, any official process needs some forms, tons of appointments, and a lot of time. However, I was on a rotation there. And when you shop in your local town, you get to know the people who live there. A few years after exiting the military we decided to take our 2 kids and 2 dogs and make a permanent move to my wifes little village. 27 Things You Must Know Before PCSing to Germany Germans are always on time. I extended to stay here another 18 months. Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. In case you do get unemployed at some point, you may have access to extensive unemployment benefits in Germany. Just remember that no matter how shitty your unit is, youre still in Europe. It is no wonder public transportation is so good and efficient in Europewho wants to pay those gas prices!? We were told we were going to be there doing one mission and one mission only. Rising through the ranks can be hard for many workers, but it's especially true for foreigners. I met my wife there, she is German. Expect that you will have a significant adjustment period to the culture. Ready to pack your bags? Do I need to explain any more? I was able to pick up on some words and phrases, which was super helpful. If you are not used to having cash in your wallet, you will need to get used to carrying some. The first thing I did not expect was being so jet-lagged. A great pick-me-up is finding a new place to visit during each months 4-day weekend! There are several things they won't tell you about deployment. What is it like being stationed in Germany? : r/army - reddit The more complicated answer is how the amount is calculated. A good sponsor can answers these types of questions for you: - Will my tall bookcases and king-size bed fit in the housing units on base or off? Make sure to do it. When you are being transferred overseas, most branches of the service will assign one to you. Beer from a local bar: 2.50. Well, as you probably have guessed by now, I did marry a soldier and we did get stationed overseas! 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.
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