Embrace the journey! Expats are often surprised at the Germans punctuality and discipline. You will be able to do so many amazing things, and your memories will stay with you for the rest of your life. Once the initial euphoria you feel over your future sightseeing and world-class shopping escapades has subsided, however, you will still have to deal with The Move, every military spouse's favorite job, right? He flew over first, and my son and I joined him around four months later to start our first military and overseas experience. Though most Germans speak English well, there's a general reluctancefrom their side to speak the language. Compared to coastal cities in the US and other major European countries, Germany is relatively affordable. - the fact of being stationed in Germany shall not be considered as periods of residence therein, or as creating a change of residence or domicile, for the purposes of such taxation (in the receiving state). Esso Fuel Cards in Germany: Everything You Need To Know. Supermarkets sell one-time BBQs during the summer months, or if you are a real pro, you bring your portable BBQ from home. The actual German food, such as bratwurst is really good as well. Finding a cinema that shows movies in their original language is quite an adventure in Germany. It allows you to travel, work in, and access a range of services in most European countries. I was stationed in vilseck and was with 1-2cr. Cities are also well serviced by local bus, train and tram systems, so much so, that many expats don't feel the need to own a car. Keep in mind that you will have a weight allowance that you need to meet in your unaccompanied baggage and household goods shipments. Try to keep an open mind: Unlike the last PCS, you aren't moving a couple states over. So a lot of people without a lot of drinking under their belt get into a lot of trouble. I wish I had. No really, go. Life can literally be sunshine and rainbows while stationed in Hawaii since it will almost always be sunny, or there will be a rainbow to accompany . Even so, there's a good reason why large overseas military communities have a thriving car sales market. When my husband joined the Army, I thought it would be amazing to be able to live overseas. Time will pass and you will be back in the US before you know it, so make sure your family makes plans to visit you when they can. They are nice and friendly especially when you are polite and try to speak some Italian (hello, thank you, etc). There is even insurance in case you are a victim of a phishing email scam. Won't be eligible to use the military medical and/or dental care services. Bread is just as good. Military occupational exposure. Sure if you wanna drop $2000 on a fucking table before drinks. Dont ask me why, but that is how apartments are usually rented out in Germany without a kitchen. President Bill Clinton oversaw some of the most significant reductions. Granted, you are almost guaranteed to have a 2-3 week spell (often in July or August) that it can get quite toasty. The military doesn't want you to go along, for whatever reason. Your Sanity? Hamsters, gerbils, snakes, birds and other animals are out of luck here. , villa bologna malta wedding cost comments comments I had flown to Europe once before, when I was 20, and I don't remember feeling particularly jet-lagged. Luckily, there is so much variety in restaurants and food in the supermarket that you dont have to eat traditional food if you dont want to. Jens mission is to help fellow expats beat bureaucracy and to have a smooth time while they settle into their new life in Germany. It is no wonder public transportation is so good and efficient in Europewho wants to pay those gas prices!? 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. I did three tours in Germany, and one in the South pacific at a place called Johnston Atoll. 18 Signs That You Have Been Stationed at Fort Campbell During Your Spouses Military Career , The 5 Stages of Watching Your Best Friend Move Away, What You Need to Know About Being Stationed at Fort Leonard Wood, 14 Tips to Help You Survive Basic Training When Your Spouse Joins the Military, What You Should Do When Your Boyfriend Wants to Join the Military, What To Do When Your Spouse Wants To Join The Military. Even if you live on post, like we are mandated to do, you have to get used to the driving rules, shopping on the economy, cultural nuances like shops being closed on Sundays, and most of all, the language. New comments cannot be posted and votes cannot be cast, Press J to jump to the feed. I get 30 vacation days! Vehicles also tend to use bicycle lanes for their own purposes which can make it difficult getting around on a bike. Finding local friends in Germany is very tough. I love it here. If not, then it might be difficult to get used to the traditional stuff. Pinterest board dedicated to all the places you are going to travel, Detailed Guide to Using Your Esso Fuel Card in Germany, what to expect when heading to USAG Hohenfels, 18 Tips On How To Budget Travel Ireland Like A Pro, Bangkok Itinerary 5 Days: Making The Most Of Your Time in BKK, Krabi With Kids: Why Krabi Is the PERFECT Thailand Family Holiday Destination, USAG Hohenfels: The first glance at your new duty station. Another legal difference in Germany is the danger of being fined if you don't follow the country's naming laws for a new child. Shopping on the economy will enhance your experience overseas. We have a whole section about insurances. If you are getting ready to be stationed there, you are in for a treat! Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. LeAnna, her husband Andy, and kiddo, "Lil B" love to live a minimal lifestyle, not only for the "thrill" of pinching pennies but in order to save for traveling the world. View more newsletters on our Subscriptions page. From our experience and other expats', the pros, more often than not, outweigh the cons. This did not go well in Latin America, where Im originally from. As it would happen, my husband had to report to Germany before I was done with school. Huge Muslim population now so DO expect the side eye every now and then. Mobile reception is not the best in all of Germany. Germany is known for its cute towns, countryside, and castles. One of my biggest mistakes was to not try to learn German before I got over there. Hawaii's perfect weather. Sponsors often go so far as to pick you up from the airport or arrange your transportation in-country. There's a definite glass ceiling in workplaces in Germany that only a few get to break through. Germany is one of the most innovative countries worldwide, with a strong history of leveraging science and technology to benefit its economy. If you say you will meet with some German friends at 18:00, you better be there at 17:55. Traditional families go to church, followed by dinner with the closest family members, sing some classical songs by the Christmas tree, and are in bed before midnight. And they should. One can simply get on a bus, train or even rent a car and experience a completely different environment within a few hours. benefits of being stationed in germany . There are also specific rules tied to being here with the military, like how to use VAT forms, what you cannot have sent to your APO box, getting your home-based business approved, and more. SOFA Article X to a Green Card Holder employed by the German Government and concluded that she was NOT entitled to the benefits of . Lots of cool shit to see though. 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). Finer Point #3: Less is more when it comes to your household goods shipment. In the video below, we have outlined the most important rules to follow when cycling on the roads of Germany. Every morning I got to wake up wondering. Im sure if you give Germany a chance, you might also fall in love with this beautiful country. And trust me, a company does not want to deal with this type of lawsuit. My command were never super stricked. By Sean Kimmons, Army News Service March 30, 2020. Most military families simply buy their car once they arrive in country since they know it will be well-suited to local conditions. Only in Europe, baby! Germany has a great public transport system. You can apply for citizenship, yes. And when you shop in your local town, you get to know the people who live there. The TMO will most likely direct you to them as part of the moving overseas process. Culture shock is definitely a thing and being homesick especially if you are in the hotel for 60 days. Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet. The VAT is Germany's sales tax which is automatically added onto items. Both doctors and banks dont have consistent opening hours. I'm a US citizen that was born on a Military Base in Germany. Germany has low criminality rates. LORAN radiation. Malori has been casually blogging for over 10 years on various personal blogs, but last year decided to create her business and new website, Warrior Life Wellness. -Is the on-installation youth program alive and well for my teenager? Simple Germany is a trademark registered in the European Union. In one weekend I saw 4 different countries. I felt like I got run over by a bus every day for at least two weeks! I definitely had my rose-colored glasses on, though. By law, German employers need to give a minimum of 20 vacation days to their employees! On it she shares her take on health, wellness, and life in Germany. In case you do get unemployed at some point, you may have access to extensive unemployment benefits in Germany. We have lived in Germany & Tennessee during our time as a military family. Finally, get out and travel, travel, TRAVEL! 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 During an explosion, pieces of depleted uranium used in tank armor and some bullets can scatter and embed in muscle and soft tissue. Cities are also well serviced by local bus, train and tram systems, so much so, that many expats dont feel the need to own a car. Get your passport ASAP. Advantages of Studying in Germany Let's have a look at some of the secret benefits of studying in Germany that makes it a top choice for the student seeking a university degree. Very large sums are allocated to a few individuals. I'm amazed with how many bases Army has throughout Germany. Select a city and your desired stay dates, choose a listing, make a booking request, and pay as easily as booking a hotel room, but only after the landlord answers your questions and confirms the availability. You may consider your well-worn RV, beloved fishing boat and wine collection essential, but the military may not ship it out of the country for you. 0 . Overall we had a challenging yet amazing experience. Make friends with your neighbors and find your people. Before the movers show up on your doorstep, make sure any professional books, papers and equipment are separated and noted as such. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. No matter where a service member is in the world, there is always a pit deep down in the stomach of the military spouse. You are 'command sponsored' on this 'accompanied' tour. Normally OCONUS assignments are three years, so you will have at least two years during which youll feel pretty comfortable! If youre thinking about taking out private health insurance, our trusted partner Cigna Global is very aware of all the difficulties that expats can face when it comes to healthcare in a new location, so they have created a range of international health insurance plans specifically designed for expats, which you can tailor exactly to the needs and ensure access to quality care for you and your family. Home. She believes that rigorous organization is key to a smooth OCONUS PCS, so she recently opened an Etsy shop, where milspouses can purchase printable Overseas PCS Binder pages for creating their own organizational binder. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly.