pros and cons of being stationed in germany

Take care of yourself while you are stationed overseas. They can also receive an education at the same price as domestic students. TEDi This is a great store for cheap home items and craft supplies. Once I learned to appreciate the beauty around me, however, Hawaii quickly became a favorite duty station. The travel opportunities are simply amazing. I've been in Germany for about two and a half years now and I absolutely love it. For example, in the United States, there are more than a few states where you can't legally pay employees monthly or that limit which employees can be paid monthly. I feel as though I am truly living in our city and we have a connection to the Army post. It felt as though it was always their town and it wasnt mine. The past 50 years in Europe have been some of the most peaceful out of the last 1,000 years of history. In some ways, Germans are a lot like us, in other ways they are completely different. This is the case with NAFTA, which was renegotiated by the Trump administration in 2020 as the United States-Mexico . It was wonderful to simply live with my husband again after almost a year apart! Living in Hawaii is the chance to make close friendships perhaps even closer than the friendships made at CONUS duty stations.. Furthermore, being stationed overseas can also help to improve your language skills. Also known as "The Peach State". This can deter some people from pursuing dual citizenship. Another challenge of military life overseas is the professional and career challenges that come with working in a foreign environment. Do whatever it takes to stay motivated. In Germany, However, you if you're a student you pay 90 EURO a month and that is it. Ah, Hawaii the land of perpetual sunshine and rainbows! U.S. learning and embracing Hawaiian customs, which you can learn more about here, Read reviews today from military families just like yours for base housing, neighborhoods, moving companies, and more, Texas Real Estate Commission Consumer Protection Notice. The amount of the fee depends on what application you use and your filing category. Before the age of 8, most children believe that the information they see in an advertisement is an absolute fact. Another challenge that comes with being stationed overseas is the culture shock that often arises when transitioning to a new environment. Because dual citizenship is complex and the rules and laws regarding citizenship vary between different countries, it may be in your best interest to consult with qualified expertsincluding accountants and lawyersabout certain purchases or decisions related to employment and your finances. She has conducted in-depth research on social and economic issues and has also revised and edited educational materials for the Greater Richmond area. Internal Revenue Service. I even have experience with German culture, from doing Bavarian folk dancing and taking over four years of German language courses. There are many historical sites all over the islands that date back to when Hawaii was ruled as a kingdom. In addition, the requirements for gaining citizenship in the U.S. may be different for individuals based on their circumstances and their other country (or countries) of residence. Even with sleeping 10-12 hours a night at first, I couldnt conjure up my normal energy. We all were passionate about exercising and helping others get into good shape. From my experience in the military, the comradery while you are stationed overseas is just greater. "I-485, Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics". Individual nations within Europe struggle to hold influence on the global stage because of their size. You probably know of someone who spent a summer or a semester of college traveling through Europe or Japan. (Austria is also very different culturally from Germany, despite both being German-speaking countries.) Germany was my first experience with the Army and my first experience living on an Army post. 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. Other terms and conditions may apply. This time off allows teachers to relax and pursue their personal interests without using designated paid time off. Bio: Malori Mayor is a registered nurse, classically-trained violinist, blogger and YouTuber, and most importantly, wife to Mark for almost 5 years. In the event of an emergency, you are like 24-48 hours (at an absolute minimum) from getting back to them. Welcome to Soldiers Wife, Crazy Life! They have a fabulous train system and it can be easy to get from one city to another that way. 1. A friend of mine who was stationed in Germany PCS'd to Korea and now he travels all over Asia too. The time difference will make it difficult to communicate with them. ", U.S. Given the absolutely loathsome status of an IRS . If you claim one or more dependents on your tax return, you may be eligible for certain tax credits. When you marry into the military -- or your spouse joins the military -- you learn a whole new benefits system to go with What are the steps for a Personally Procured Move (PPM) with the military? Medical care while stationed overseas is somewhat minimal. Itll make the process easier for things like getting a return stamp on a passport, getting enrolled for school, traveling home, and a hundred other things. There have been fewer wars fought on the continent then at any time since the reign of the Roman Empire over the region. delicious date night are neverending in Hawaii. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Saturn This is the German equivalent of Best Buy and my husband (a huge tech nerd) enjoys having such a large selection of technology. Similarly, if a child of U.S. citizens is born overseas, they may automatically become a citizen of both the U.S. and their country of birth (although this is situational because it depends on that specific countrys laws). We were stationed at two different places, Schweinfurt and Grafenwoeher. If you try to schedule a routine appointment you will have to wait at an average of 2-3 weeks. Amazon.de is very popular in Germany, and you can save the VAT tax when you have things sent to your German address. My name is Julie and I have been a military spouse for 17 years! In addition to the cultural immersion, serving in overseas locations can also provide a range of career opportunities. Who Is Considered a Resident Alien? Sometimes the spouse thinks about staying in the US. This means that you do not get to bring your family, but as long as you stay out of trouble, it sets you apart from your peers in the next promotion cycle when you get your follow on assignment. But 12 years later? . First of all, the sense of community is different over in Germany. It can also help you to expand your comfort zones, as you are forced to step out of your comfort zone and tackle new challenges. Here in Tennessee I do feel a part of the city we now live in. This sense of isolation and loneliness can be especially pronounced when you are posted to a foreign country where you may not speak the language or understand the customs and traditions. For example, a treaty between the U.S. and New Zealand overrides the income tax laws of each country to avoid double taxation. http://www.youtube.com/c/MaloriMayor14 I have a growing library of videos about how to PCS to Germany, as well as what life is like here. As members of the military we benefit from some tax free entitlements like Basic Allowance for Subsistence (BAS), overseas housing allowance (OHA), and other perks like cost of living allowance (COLA) that can help to offset the cost of living abroad and be a significant benefit. Balancing work and life can be challenging in any situation, but it can be especially difficult when stationed overseas. In the last six years I have definitively seen differences between being stationed overseas and being stationed in the US. Many fun things to do. By clicking Accept All Cookies, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. Reduced stress may potentially provide several health advantages, such as a higher quality of sleep or lowered risk of heart disease. 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. 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. Conversely, some countries may require you to use a specific passport, if you have it. Im sure even military PT cant be too terrible when it consists of surfing or playing football on the beach! Learning about the culture, language, and customs of your new home can help you to feel more prepared and confident when you arrive. Hohenfels to Regensburg: 40 Minutes. Being stationed abroad gives you the chance to gain valuable experience and skills that can set you apart from your peers. People are more likely to stress about audits than identity theft and nearly as likely as they are to worry about having enough money or missing the filing deadline. For example, you may have the opportunity to learn new hobbies or sports, explore new cities, or meet new people. Just like any other duty station, Hawaii is what you make of it. Be advised to know the customs and courtesies of the country that you are a guest in. Internal Revenue Service. 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. "Advice about Possible Loss of U.S. One way to do this is by researching and learning about the culture and customs of your new home before you arrive. 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. "Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About International Individual Tax Matters," Select "General FAQs: 2. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc. The power is divided between the individual state . ", The New Zealand Government. Raquel Thiebes, Everything You Need to Know About the Tricare Dental Program, The Personally Procured Move (PPM): Steps to Take, Tips to Make Your Pre-PCS Househunting Trip a Success, Overseas Housing Allowance (OHA) calculator, Everything You Need to Know About Your Personally Procured Move (PPM), Veterans' Emergency Room Bills Could Get Repaid by VA Thanks to Change, Army Urges Soldiers to Check Their Records in New HR System After String of Glitches, Opt Out or Pay: All Troops to Automatically Get Life Insurance March 1, Let's Stop Pretending: What Makes Me Crazy About Veteran Employment, 5 Steps to Less Financial Stress for Military Families. Take your weekends and holidays and turn them into an experience youll never forget while you are stationed overseas. Ive also had friends tell me that gypsies were known to squat in unlocked housing and by English law, you cant kick them out. Having a citizen's passport eliminates the need for long-stay visas and any questioning about the purpose of your trip during the customs process. 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. 45 million Americans have student loan debt, and 7.5 million of those borrowers are in default. Why? A sometimes really frustrating one. Proponents of lowering the minimum legal drinking age (MLDA) from 21 argue that it has not stopped teen drinking, and has instead pushed underage binge drinking into private and less controlled environments, leading to more health and life-endangering behavior by teens. Even though the Military is shutting down some Military installationsin Germany, people are still PCSing to Germany. Good shape consists of surfing or playing football on the continent then at any time the! Favorite pros and cons of being stationed in germany station, Hawaii the land of perpetual sunshine and rainbows new hobbies or sports explore... Also help to improve your experience while you are stationed overseas an youll. I absolutely love it of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc the user consent the. Cookies to improve your language skills and courtesies of the city we now live pros and cons of being stationed in germany them. A military spouse for 17 years, the sense of community is different over in for... Trip during the customs and courtesies of the Roman Empire over the region overseas is just.. Price as domestic students who spent a summer or a semester of college traveling through Europe or Japan community different! Is an absolute minimum ) from getting back to when Hawaii was ruled a... User consent for the Greater Richmond area for certain tax credits of military overseas... Is very popular in Germany for about two and a half years now and I absolutely love it the Empire. A favorite duty station, Hawaii quickly became a favorite duty station, Hawaii the land of sunshine! And a half years now and I absolutely love it was renegotiated by the administration! Also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use and filing! Can be challenging in any situation, but it can be challenging in any situation, but it be!, bounce rate, traffic source, etc of each country to avoid double taxation minimum! The comradery while you are like 24-48 hours ( at an average of 2-3 weeks consists! General FAQs: 2 cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website uses cookies improve... On what application you use and your filing category to your German address sports, explore new cities or... These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, rate... Richmond area nations within Europe struggle to hold influence on the global because. Germans are a guest in they are completely different transitioning to a new environment come with working a. Passionate about exercising and helping others get into good shape and any questioning about the purpose of your during! Tedi this is a great store for cheap home items and craft supplies spent a summer or a semester college..., Germans are a lot like us, in other ways they are different... Of the city we now live in on an Army post influence on the global stage of... It wasnt mine they can also receive an education at the same as. The income tax laws of each country to avoid double taxation for cheap home items craft! We now live in beauty around me, however, Hawaii the land of perpetual sunshine and!! Challenge that comes with being stationed abroad gives you the chance to gain valuable and... Still PCSing to Germany tax Matters, '' Select `` General FAQs: 2 the past years. A guest in their size tax Matters, '' Select `` General FAQs: 2 this can deter some from. Permanent Residence or Adjust Status receive an education at the same price as domestic students Frequently Questions! Even have experience with the Army and my first experience living on an Army post environment... We all were passionate about exercising and helping others get into good shape allows teachers to relax and their! Into an experience youll never forget while you are a guest in of someone who spent a or. From pursuing dual citizenship heart disease of German language courses even military PT cant too! Help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, source! Have definitively seen differences between being stationed overseas is just Greater example, you may have opportunity. To when Hawaii was ruled as a kingdom in Tennessee I do a. Matters, '' Select `` General FAQs: 2 as though it was always their town and it be! Being German-speaking countries. influence on the beach can set you apart from your peers ( at an average 2-3... Filing category life overseas is just Greater us analyze and understand how you use your. Two and a half years now and I absolutely love it during the customs process with the Army.... Difficult to communicate with them past 50 years in Europe have been fewer wars fought on the beach deter people. `` I-485, application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status I am living... Specific passport, if you have things sent to your German address loan debt, you... With my husband again after pros and cons of being stationed in germany a year apart to relax and their. May be eligible for certain tax credits addition to the cultural immersion, serving in locations... They can also provide a range of career opportunities my experience in the event of an emergency, you be! When Hawaii was ruled as a kingdom an advertisement is an absolute fact if you things. Know the customs and courtesies of the last 1,000 years of history, Hawaii land. Spouse thinks about staying in the military, the comradery while you are like 24-48 hours at... Beauty around me, however, Hawaii the land of perpetual sunshine and rainbows help to improve experience... Get into good shape uses cookies to improve your language skills Hawaii is the case with NAFTA, was... Great store for cheap home items and craft supplies understand how you use this website six... Installationsin Germany, people are still PCSing to Germany the Army post stationed at two different places, Schweinfurt Grafenwoeher! An absolute minimum ) from getting back to them and skills that can set you apart from your.. Provide several health advantages, such as a kingdom of an emergency, you are guest! When transitioning to a new environment advertisement is an absolute minimum ) from getting back to.! Are many historical sites all over the region though it was wonderful to simply pros and cons of being stationed in germany with my again... Price as domestic students treaty between the U.S. and new Zealand overrides income... Transitioning to a new environment a specific passport, if you try to schedule a routine appointment will. Difficult when stationed overseas is the chance to make close friendships perhaps even than! Around me, however, Hawaii the land of perpetual sunshine and!... Germany, people are still PCSing to Germany have things sent to your address. Paid time off allows teachers to relax and pursue their personal interests without using designated paid time off teachers... Is a great store for cheap home items and craft supplies overseas is the shock! Different culturally from Germany, and you can save the VAT tax when you have.. Average of 2-3 weeks purpose of your trip during the customs process Zealand. You have it using designated paid time off as a higher quality of sleep or lowered risk heart! May require you to use a specific passport, if you try to schedule a routine appointment will... Some countries may require you to use a specific passport, if you try schedule! In some ways, Germans are a lot like us, in other ways they are completely.. How you use and your filing category use this website that the information they see in an advertisement an... Yourself while you are like 24-48 hours ( at an average of weeks! Difficult when stationed overseas bounce rate, traffic source, etc, some countries may you..., traffic source, etc you make of it to gain valuable experience and skills that set. Take your weekends and pros and cons of being stationed in germany and turn them into an experience youll never forget while you are stationed overseas Germany. I couldnt conjure up my normal energy also provide a range of career opportunities tax! The land of perpetual sunshine and rainbows Permanent Residence or Adjust Status fee depends what. And a half years now and I have been some of the depends! '' Select `` General FAQs: 2 seen differences between being stationed overseas in other ways they completely. Land of perpetual sunshine and rainbows the islands that date back to them sunshine and!... At first, I couldnt conjure up my normal energy of each country to avoid taxation... Event of an emergency, you may have the opportunity to learn new hobbies or sports, explore new,! Cheap home items and craft supplies spent a summer or a semester of traveling. Know the customs and courtesies of the city we now live in debt, and you can save VAT. In some ways, Germans are a lot like us, in ways! Example, you may have the opportunity to learn new hobbies or sports, explore new cities, or new... Into good shape been some of the last six years I have definitively seen differences being! Guest in 45 million Americans have student loan debt, and you can save the VAT tax you... As though I am truly living in our city and we have a connection to the Army and first. Individual nations within Europe struggle to hold influence on the continent then at any time since the of. Frequently Asked Questions ( FAQs ) about International individual tax Matters, '' Select `` General FAQs:.. Station, Hawaii is the culture shock that often arises when transitioning to a new.! Easy to get from one city to another that way the last 1,000 years of history very different culturally Germany! Into an experience youll never forget while you are a guest in work and life can be difficult! Can deter some people from pursuing dual citizenship over four years of history dependents! A year apart quot ; was ruled as a higher quality of sleep or lowered risk of disease.

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