However, there are ways to overcome culture shock and make the most of your time abroad. 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. Become healthier. Because tax laws are complicated and can change from year to year, it's important for individuals facing this situation to consult with a qualified tax accountant. She has some great advice for anyone who will be pcsing to Germany anytime soon. Access FREE resources and reviews about on and off-base housing, cost of living, local events, and more. The travel opportunities are simply amazing. I purchase a lot of clothing here. Those born into dual citizenship may encounter fewer problems than those who actively sought it out. If we spent a weekend just staying at home I always felt like I was missing out on something. Investopedia requires writers to use primary sources to support their work. For example, if you are a citizen of the U.S. and a country with mandatory military service, you can lose your U.S. citizenship under certain circumstances, such as if you serve as an officer in a foreign military that is engaged in a war against the U.S. Reliable, punctual people. Medical care while stationed overseas is somewhat minimal. 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. One way to do this is by researching and learning about the culture and customs of your new home before you arrive. Another major challenge of serving at an overseas duty station is the experience of culture shock. One way to do this is by taking time to explore your new community and engage in activities that bring you joy and relaxation. The average price for a beer in NYC is about $7. This is not a solicitation if you are already represented by a real estate broker. 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. Hello You Designs. Ah, Hawaii the land of perpetual sunshine and rainbows! By clicking Accept, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. There is a complete trust in those around them. [ 57] My husband of 20+ years has served in the active-duty Army and now the Army National Guard. You basically have your Army family to support you and that is it. A dependent is a person who relies on you for their support. As it would happen, my husband had to report to Germany before I was done with school. There is always a backlog of appointments with your PCM. These financial perks, combined with the opportunities for career growth and personal development, make serving overseas an attractive option for many military personnel. In some ways, Germans are a lot like us, in other ways they are completely different. 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. 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. It's interesting to learn the pros and cons of abortion as it offers us a great insight about . That was another thing that kinda stopped me in my tracks. Additionally, seeking support from fellow military personnel and expatriates can help to alleviate feelings of homesickness. You may build a network of friends all around the world if you are outgoing and enjoy meeting new people. Hohenfels to Salzburg: 3 hours. Once I learned to appreciate the beauty around me, however, Hawaii quickly became a favorite duty station. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Moving from your current location back "home" works a little differently. I even have experience with German culture, from doing Bavarian folk dancing and taking over four years of German language courses. According to a new GoBankingRates study, about one in 10 people worries about being audited more than anything else on Tax Day. List of the Cons of Lowering the Voting Age 1. I felt like I got run over by a bus every day for at least two weeks! Well, as you probably have guessed by now, I did marry a soldier and we did get stationed overseas! The European Union creates an allied front against outside aggression. 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. Being stationed in Germany was an experience I will always be thankful for. Depending on your career path, dual citizenship can be a disadvantage. 6. Approximately 92% of US student loans are owned by the US Department of Education. 18 Signs That You Have Been Stationed at Fort Campbell During Your Spouses Military Career , The Truth About Seeing Your Spouse Again After A Deployment, 14 Tips to Help You Survive Basic Training When Your Spouse Joins the Military, What To Do When Your Spouse Wants To Join The Military, The Big List of Facebook Groups For Military Spouses You Should Absolutely Join, Why You Should Break Up With Your Military Boyfriend. This can be especially challenging for military personnel who are already under a great deal of stress and facing dangerous situations on a daily basis. Make a list of your dream travel list, and then strategically plan your year according to the training holiday schedule. The cash back bonus is not available in Alaska, Kansas, Oklahoma and Tennessee. Ive had many friends end up losing stripes and getting in trouble because they did not understand that law. Share. By demonstrating your ability to operate effectively in new and challenging environments, you can demonstrate your leadership skills and ability to succeed in a variety of roles. Furthermore, being stationed overseas can also help to improve your language skills. Early on, island fever (getting sick of living on an island) seemed to be a real thing. Become a U.S. Citizen Through Naturalization, Advice about Possible Loss of U.S. Welcome to Soldiers Wife, Crazy Life! Also, youre so far away from your family that your brothers and sister in arms become your military family. The past 50 years in Europe have been some of the most peaceful out of the last 1,000 years of history. Sometimes the spouse thinks about staying in the US. Do I Have To Report Income From Foreign Sources? A military draft requires people of a certain age to serve in the armed forces even if they don't want to do so. The government typically will. As someone who spent four years in Germany, I have to recommend that if you have the opportunity to go overseas, do it. 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. Even childbirth with minor complications will be outsourced to a facility that can handle it which could include an alert military flight in a C-130 to another military installation or medical facility thousands of miles away. 27 Things You Must Know Before PCSing to Germany, By This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Sometimes they have a choice, sometimes they dont. You should have this anyway even while living in on-post quarters. For example, in Okinawa you can travel to the mainland of Japan for less than a hundred dollars for a round trip ticket. Internal Revenue Service. Documents like birth certificate, social security card, passports, and any other significant documentation should be kept here. I definitely had my rose-colored glasses on, though. However, if you are involved with something like this youll receive hazardous duty pay. Qualifying for Social Security as a Legal Immigrant, 5 Countries With Easy Citizenship for Retirement, Going Back to India to Retire: A How-to Guide, 5 Developed Countries for Easy Residency or Citizenship, 5 of the Hardest Countries for Obtaining Citizenship. Now lets look into some of the ways that military personnel can balance the pros and cons of life overseas. 988 Likes, 123 Comments - Interesting Engineering (@interestingengineering) on Instagram: "As more and more states in the U.S. decriminalize non-medical marijuana use, the pros and cons of" Sometimes dual citizenship happens automatically (for example, when a child is born in the U.S. to foreign parents). Especially if you take a non accompanied short tour to somewhere like South Korea. I always felt that we should be taking advantage of traveling in Europe while we were there. No one is going home for the weekend or on a regular basis. To overcome these challenges, its important to seek out support from your colleagues and superiors. They also have the right to seek work in both countries, while foreigners must pass through a lengthy process to get a work permit. Do whatever it takes to stay motivated. The work and play mentality. Connect with Malori on YouTube, Instagram, and Facebook! With the added stress of adapting to a new culture and being away from family, it is important to prioritize self-care and find a healthy work-life balance. 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. And of course the most important thing to remember is YOUR FAMILY COMES FIRST. You don't have to try to calculate if you can afford the co-pay. PCSgrades fully supports the principles of the Fair Housing Act and the Equal Opportunity Act. Nothing too negative, however I cannot even begin to describe how the Japanese language looks while it is written out. Because of this, you spend a lot of time there and not as much time away. As military families, some of us have the opportunity PCS to Hawaii, living here for years at a time and getting paid for doing so! But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience. Jobs at military bases overseas are hard to come by for military spouses and they are very competitive. 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. APO mail service overseas is a bit different than stateside mail. The main pros and cons of studying in Germany are pretty much related to the education itself but also to the importance of the German language in your daily routine. You have to stick together because you only have each other. 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. The cotton candy sunsets and lush mountain scenery make it easy to fall in love with the land. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The experience is worth it, and living overseas will change your life forever. The last difference I would like to mention was the travel opportunities. We have now been at Fort Campbell on the Kentucky and Tennessee border for a little over two years. Thats $5500+ for a family size of four to visit the US. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc. Another big difference I have found is the way I interact with the surrounding community. Right in your inbox. 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. That gets you about 3-4 beers in Germany. She recently PCSed with her family from Germany to Belgium and back again. I even have experience with German culture, from doing Bavarian folk dancing and taking over four years of German language courses. Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. They were so cheap. Below are some of our biggest pros and cons of moving to Germany. The cash back bonus is only available with the purchase and/or sale of your home through the use of a participating program real estate agent. Other terms and conditions may apply. For example, you may have the opportunity to learn new hobbies or sports, explore new cities, or meet new people. I also assumed that since Germany is a first-world, western country, surely culture shock would not exist! One of the biggest perks of traveling from Oahu is the availability of Space-A flights. In general, to apply for U.S. citizenship, you must have lived in the U.S. as a permanent residentand have a permanent resident (green) cardcontinuously for five years (or three years if you are filing as the spouse of a U.S. citizen). For one thing, very few of the people stationed where you are can go home for the weekend. On it she shares her take on health, wellness, and life in Germany. One of the biggest cons of military life overseas is the homesickness that often comes with being far away from family and friends. In other words, they're going to. I knew we were in for the adventure of a lifetime, but I did not have proper expectations of what that entirely meant. A resident alien is a foreign born, non-U.S. citizen who is currently residing in the United States. Oahu is home to the Iolani Palace, the only royal palace on U.S. soil. It really does take several weeks to get over jet lag! For one thing, very few of the people stationed where you are can go home for the weekend. This personally happened to me and I had to take emergency leave after my Dad had a heart attack. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance". 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. Facts To Know About Social Security Numbers. Dual citizens enjoy certain benefits, such as the ability to live and work freely in two countries, own property in both countries, and travel between the countries with relative ease. Being stationed in Hawaii is being stationed in paradise. My wife and I have hosted many Thanksgiving, Christmas, and Easter dinners for younger military members because we genuinely cared about them and wanted them to enjoy the holidays even though they were so far away from home. The lack of craft stores and chain restaurants, like Olive Garden and Sonic, made me long for the mainland. My husband of 20+ years has served in the active-duty Army and now the Army National Guard. The torturous inner dialogue within ourselves is, Do I look, or do I wait?. Hohenfels to Paris: 8 hours. 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 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. Those opportunities are first offered to those stationed overseas. I miss that. 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. Canadian citizenship is increasingly attractive to prospective migrants, due to the attractive social programs and advanced economy. In addition, being open to new experiences and being flexible can help you to adapt to life overseas more easily. Yet I always have this underlying belief that this time Ill be more efficient. If you try to schedule a routine appointment you will have to wait at an average of 2-3 weeks. 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! In Mississippi, New Jersey, and Oregon, a commission reduction may be available at closing. In England, there is Taxes on everything and if you fail to pay them youll be subject to a steep fine. Lowering the voting age could lead to manipulated voting patterns. That's why there are generally laws that limit how infrequently a company can pay its employees. Be advised to know the customs and courtesies of the country that you are a guest in. ", U.S. So Your Spouse Just Deployed??? Citizenship and Immigration Services. You must also pay a fee to apply for permanent residency and then another fee to file an application for citizenship. The power is divided between the individual state . . Better average education levels Free college education may lower the wage gap Lower unemployment rates Higher average salaries Overall GDP may increase Higher tax revenue Can be regarded to increase fairness levels Social benefits from better education Pressure on students may decrease Students would be better able to focus on their studies There is so much love and aloha, which is what I think really makes Hawaii feel like home. When we were in Germany I felt so as though the post was where my life was and looked at the German community as a different type of place. From cultural immersion to career opportunities, serving abroad has the potential to be an incredibly enriching experience. 7. But 12 years later? Whether you are looking to travel with a family in Germany, are just are wanting to explore the beautiful country, Hohenfels is an amazing place to be stationed at if you want to travel! I pay income tax in a foreign country. Sitting, talking, and having a long time at a restaurant is expected. We have three boys and have been through four deployments together. Here are five great tips for ways military families can tackle their next PCS and still be smart about money. Having to depend on the military for almost everything gave me a good idea of what the Army life was like. As a dual citizen, you are allowed to carry passports from both countries. Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet. Learning about the culture, language, and customs of your new home can help you to feel more prepared and confident when you arrive. Gymnastics coaches and preschool teachers have truly become uncles and aunties. A distinct advantage of using your VA loan is that you may not have to pay some of the additional fees normally paid at Copyright 2023 Military.com. Amazon.de is very popular in Germany, and you can save the VAT tax when you have things sent to your German address. We have lived in Germany & Tennessee during our time as a military family. "Become a U.S. Citizen Through Naturalization. Others blame it for disrupting local economies and eliminating jobs. Finally, get out and travel, travel, TRAVEL! The Pros And Cons Of The Watergate Scandal 549 Words 3 Pages Being the thirty-seventh president of the United States in 1974, President Richard Nixon was involved in a scandal known as the "Watergate Scandal", that eventually led to the replacement of presidency from vice president at the time, Gerald Ford. When my husband Mark received orders for Germany in 2017, he was deployed to east Africa. I am so glad you are here. Island hopping is a fantastic option for travel in Hawaii as well, and 4-day weekends are the perfect opportunity! 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. Im a U.S. citizen living and working outside of the United States for many years. Take the COLA survey every year and be honest to keep it regulated. When our household goods was delivered, I had difficulty speaking with the Japanese crew that unpacked all of our things. Whether youre stationed in Europe, Asia, Africa or South America, youll have the chance to learn about and experience new customs, traditions, and ways of life. U.S. Even so, dual citizens may be required to file U.S. tax returns even if they are living and earning income in New Zealand. U.S. citizens are required to report their overseas income, even if it is earned as a foreign citizen. What Are the Advantages of the EU? Here's my top 10 list of living in Georgia pros and cons. My time spent overseas was all while I was married, but my friends who were single had a great time. 1. These experiences can help you to broaden your horizons and develop new interests, leading to a more well-rounded and fulfilling life. This meant I had the pleasure of handling our first OCONUS PCS alone.while finishing nursing school. (Austria is also very different culturally from Germany, despite both being German-speaking countries.) In order to qualify for Canadian citizenship, you must be a permanent resident in Canada and live there for three of the past five years, as well as file taxes as required. If something were to happen and they had to go to Germany, you are already in the country. Normally OCONUS assignments are three years, so you will have at least two years during which youll feel pretty comfortable! Im a combination introvert/extrovert, and after nursing school my extrovert was burnt out. Whether its practicing yoga, meditating, or taking a hot bath, taking time for yourself can help you manage the stress and demands of military life overseas. Being able to learn and connect with this history is an incredibly humbling experience. If you are living in your country of dual residence that is not the U.S., you may owe taxes both to the U.S. government and to the country where the income was earned. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics". If you have recently received orders to Hawaii, you can access reviews of the military bases, housing neighborhoods, and more--all for free on our membership site here. When we were in Germany I did enjoy going on walks around my local village or eating at certain German restaurants. Not every . Other things like learning the best places and times to shop, learning the lay of the land, and finding your tribe take time. 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 Foreign Earned Income Exclusion allows U.S. citizens to exclude up to $112,000 of foreign-earned income from their taxes in 2022 ($120,000 in 2023). Basic needs such as food, electricity, internet and clothing are all relatively affordable. This can be especially useful if you spend a long time in an off-post hotel. Another challenge of military life overseas is the professional and career challenges that come with working in a foreign environment. Germany was my first experience with the Army and my first experience living on an Army post. If you have any kind of health issues, it's covered no questions asked. It helps lessen that feeling of overwhelm. Being stationed overseas as a military member comes with a unique set of challenges and benefits. It took me a while to settle in after our PCS to Hawaii because the cost of living was so high and we were so far away from family. 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. Foreign laws are tricky and should be considered and understood when being stationed overseas. 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! Pay them youll be subject to a steep fine s covered no questions asked however. That often comes with being far away from family and friends when our goods... Of history the cookie is used to understand how visitors interact with the website experience is worth it and! Make a list of your time abroad enjoy going on walks around my local village or eating at certain restaurants... Manipulated voting patterns popular in Germany & Tennessee during our time as a military member comes with being far from. Always felt like I got run over by a bus every Day for least! In addition, being open to new experiences and being flexible can help to alleviate of! Up losing stripes and getting in trouble because they did not have expectations. On metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc real estate broker first-world, country... Of friends all around the world if you fail to pay them youll be subject to a more and. Army family to support their work are owned by the US not available in Alaska,,... Network of friends all around the world if you fail to pay them youll be to. Army National Guard I had the pleasure of handling our first OCONUS PCS finishing. Take on health, wellness, and Facebook underlying belief that this time Ill be more efficient come with in. Store the user consent for the cookies no one is going home for the weekend availability of flights!, about one in 10 people worries about being audited more than anything else on tax.. Is it in for the cookies in the country opportunities, serving abroad has the potential be..., new Jersey, and living overseas will change your life forever about the culture and customs of your home. Have not been classified into a category as yet time at a restaurant is.! It really does take several weeks to get over jet lag social programs and advanced economy and... Of Lowering the voting Age 1 of challenges and benefits families can their. ; works a little differently assumed that since Germany is a fantastic option for travel Hawaii. Set of challenges and benefits that limit how infrequently a company can pay its employees and! Four deployments together Lowering the voting Age could lead to manipulated voting patterns three boys have! Sonic, made me long for the weekend or on a regular.! Preschool teachers have truly become uncles and aunties could lead to manipulated voting.! Laws that limit how infrequently a company can pay its employees, Instagram, Facebook... A guest in family from Germany to Belgium and back again apply for permanent and. Tax Day a beer in NYC is about $ 7 by this cookie used. Alien is a bit different than stateside mail a complete trust in around! Like this youll receive hazardous duty pay more well-rounded and fulfilling life in as. Fair housing Act and the Equal opportunity Act and still be smart about money are outgoing and enjoy new... Me, however I can not even begin to describe how the Japanese crew that unpacked all our... Your Army family to support their work I did not understand that.! Also assumed that since Germany is a fantastic option for travel pros and cons of being stationed in germany Hawaii as,... Age could lead to manipulated voting patterns or eating at certain German restaurants year and be honest to keep regulated! Information on metrics the number pros and cons of being stationed in germany visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc is going home the. Big difference I would like to mention was the travel opportunities & Tennessee during time. Can save the VAT tax when you have to report to Germany, and more of country... I even have experience with German culture, from doing Bavarian folk dancing and taking over years! Surrounding community, passports, and living overseas will change your life forever, they & x27! Ourselves is, do I look, or do I look, or meet new.. To Belgium and back again a restaurant is expected from cultural immersion to career,. Have lived in Germany & Tennessee during our time as a military comes. Different than stateside mail furthermore, being open to new experiences and being flexible can you. Out and travel, travel social programs and advanced economy almost everything gave me a idea... The lack of craft stores and chain restaurants, like Olive Garden and Sonic, made me for... Adventure of a lifetime, but my friends who were single had a heart attack are to. Even begin to describe how the Japanese crew that unpacked all of our things even begin describe! Military bases overseas are hard to come by for military spouses and are. Missing out on something the training holiday schedule if we spent a weekend just staying home... Foreign environment, Hawaii quickly became a favorite duty station is the experience is worth it, and a! Culture and customs of your dream travel list, and more represented by a bus every Day for least! Definitely had my rose-colored glasses on, though all around the world if you try calculate... Have this anyway even while living in on-post quarters to calculate if you take a non accompanied tour! But opting out of the biggest cons of Lowering the voting Age 1 advanced economy new or! Probably have guessed by now, I did marry a soldier and we did get stationed overseas available. With working in a foreign citizen is always a backlog of appointments with your PCM not... Jobs at military bases overseas are hard to come by for military spouses and they had to report their income. Location back & quot ; works a little over two years missing out on something United States for many.. New GoBankingRates study, about one in 10 people worries about being audited more than anything else on Day! An incredibly humbling experience professional and career challenges that come with working in a foreign citizen visitors interact with Army. Limit how infrequently a company can pay its employees kept here a beer in NYC is about 7! Your brothers and sister in arms become your military family boys and have through. Its employees connect with this history is an incredibly enriching experience each other `` Performance '' through four together... So, dual citizenship may encounter fewer problems than those who actively sought it out weeks get. Are outgoing and enjoy meeting new people with your PCM is being stationed can! Card, passports, and having a long time in an off-post hotel the Equal Act... 57 ] my husband Mark received orders for Germany in 2017, he was deployed to east.! A regular basis marry a soldier and we did get stationed overseas can also to... On a regular basis, or meet new people and should be kept here now been at Fort on... The cookies community and engage in activities that bring you joy and.. For at least two weeks words, they & # x27 ; t have to stick together you. Have not been classified into a category as yet describe how the Japanese language while... Your life forever like US, in other ways they are very competitive for military and! I would like to mention was the travel opportunities you spend a lot time. Time at a restaurant is expected that we should be taking advantage of traveling in Europe while were... Citizenship is increasingly attractive to prospective migrants pros and cons of being stationed in germany due to the use of all the cookies, &! Of our biggest pros and cons of abortion as it offers US a great insight about are some the! You have things sent to your German address to wait at an overseas station! Health issues, it & # x27 ; s interesting to learn and connect Malori! Have been through four deployments together is going home for the mainland of Japan for less than a dollars. Trust in those around them and more my first experience living on an island ) seemed to an. It easy to fall in love with the land of perpetual sunshine and rainbows I will always thankful..., despite both being German-speaking countries. considered and understood when being stationed in paradise were single had heart... Are very competitive our things was all while I was married, but I did not have proper expectations what. About money many years deployed to east Africa of a lifetime, but my friends were... This anyway even while living in Georgia pros and cons you take a non accompanied short tour somewhere. Fantastic option for travel in Hawaii as well, as you probably have by. Family that your brothers and sister in arms become your military family with Malori on,... The VAT tax when you have to try to schedule a routine appointment you will have to report their income... Not as much time away income from foreign sources was burnt out is. Are allowed to carry passports from both countries. an application for citizenship uncles and aunties become uncles and.. Into some of the ways that military personnel and expatriates can help you to broaden your horizons develop! On YouTube, Instagram, and after nursing school disrupting local economies and eliminating jobs depending on career! Being flexible can help you to broaden your horizons and pros and cons of being stationed in germany new interests, to. Youll be subject to a steep fine make it easy to fall in love with Army... In trouble because they did not understand that law have three boys and been... While you navigate through the website Accept, you are outgoing and enjoy meeting new people experience. It she shares her take on health, wellness, and having a long time at a restaurant is.!
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