pros and cons of being stationed in germany

Verify your free subscription by following the instructions in the email sent to: The creep of PCS anxiety is setting in. This exposure to different cultures can broaden your perspective and help you to better understand and appreciate the world around you. However, income tax treaties between the U.S. and other countries serve to effectively reduce or eliminate an individual's tax liability in order to avoid double taxation. With so many beautiful sites and mouth-watering food options, there really is something for everyone. 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. In Germany, you practically have to hunt your waitress down for your check when you need to go. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. A dependent is a person who relies on you for their support. Germany was my first experience with the Army and my first experience living on an Army post. My name is Julie and I have been a military spouse for 17 years! 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. But with an OCONUS move, you have all the normal PCS adjustments to make, plus the foreign country aspect. Do I Have To Report Income From Foreign Sources? 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. Many of my friends found their future wives in the foreign country that they were stationed in. Its an OCONUS (outside continental United States) duty station, but unlike most otherOCONUSduty stations, youre still living in the United States, which means no need for passports, conversion rates, or having to learn a new language. However, I never felt like I was really a part of the German community. Oahu is home to the Iolani Palace, the only royal palace on U.S. soil. Five days after graduation, I was on the Patriot Express to Ramstein, Germany; final destination, USAG Wiesbaden. Part of the reason we love college in Germany so much is that most colleges don't charge tuition. Mom to three boys, wife of a National Guard soldier. Many fun things to do. The last difference I would like to mention was the travel opportunities. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience. Being stationed in Hawaiiis an opportunity like none other. Other terms and conditions may apply. By clicking Accept, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. ", Government of Canada. My husband actually received Ramstein Air Base as his first duty station and this was the first place we ever lived together. Applying for dual citizenship is a complicated and typically expensive process that may require the assistance of an immigration lawyer. Navigating foreign business practices, dealing with language barriers, and communicating with colleagues from different cultures can all be difficult and time-consuming. The cotton candy sunsets and lush mountain scenery make it easy tofall in love with the land. What Are the Requirements of Becoming a Canadian Citizen? Normally OCONUS assignments are three years, so you will have at least two years during which youll feel pretty comfortable! We have lived in Germany & Tennessee during our time as a military family. U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Consular Affairs. Being stationed in Hawaii is being stationed in paradise. Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. The biggest mistake I made last year was isolating myself. Ive also had friends tell me that gypsies were known to squat in unlocked housing and by English law, you cant kick them out. They are also exempt from any restrictions on foreign businesspeople. By clicking Accept, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. Its a coin flip if they speak English or not. Here are tips on responsibly caring for your four-legged family member. In general, U.S. policy recognizes that dual citizens might be legally obligated to fulfill military obligations abroad, and many can do so without jeopardizing their U.S. citizen status, but it is important to research each situation carefully. Some praise globalization for opening borders and connecting cultures and politics. Also, youre so far away from your family that your brothers and sister in arms become your military family. Investopedia does not include all offers available in the marketplace. To overcome these challenges, its important to seek out support from your colleagues and superiors. "Become a U.S. Citizen Through Naturalization. Internal Revenue Service. So he did the geo-bachelor life for about three months. I felt like I got run over by a bus every day for at least two weeks! 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. 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. When we were in Germany I did enjoy going on walks around my local village or eating at certain German restaurants. Nothing too negative, however I cannot even begin to describe how the Japanese language looks while it is written out. The sushi is some of the freshest youll ever find, as fish is caught daily. We did travel when we could and left Germany feeling like we did get to see a lot of different unique places. In the inflationary period that we incurred in 2021-2022, COLA was cut entirely in Japan because prices got so high in the United States. With deployments, the time difference is only about 2-3 hours. Whether through texting, phone calls, facetime, email, or even regular letters, staying connected to your support network can help to ease the feelings of loneliness and isolation. That gets you about 3-4 beers in Germany. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Culture shock can be difficult to deal with, as it can bring up feelings of confusion, frustration, and disorientation. 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. The cash back bonus is not available in Alaska, Kansas, Oklahoma and Tennessee. Investopedia requires writers to use primary sources to support their work. Although this part of living there was frustrating at times, it really opened my mind to a different way of life and seeing the world. Children have a certain innocence about them when it comes to the world. If you can't fit in smaller sized clothing, you will be forced to order online. In this case, that person would become a citizen of both countries, unless their home country does not allow dual citizenship. 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! When my husband Mark received orders for Germany in 2017, he was deployed to east Africa. Get the scoop on discounts, pay, benefits, and our latest award-winning content. Some military members love being stationed overseas, and some military members hate it. Finally, get out and travel, travel, TRAVEL! 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. 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. 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. If you wanted to spend the weekend in Rome or France, you could do so. 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. Another thing I did not expect was experiencing culture shock. "IRS Provides Tax Inflation Adjustments for Tax Year 2023. Something else I have a bad habit of doing for any PCS is to believe that I can jump into a routine right away. Well in this video we will discuss what military living in Hawaii looks like and all the p. Another big difference I have found is the way I interact with the surrounding community. Embrace the journey! The cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional". If we spent a weekend just staying at home I always felt like I was missing out on something. A sometimes really frustrating one. I had spent 5 weeks in Austria for a summer music program, and I remember feeling like I fit in so well. To apply for naturalization, most individuals file form N-400, the application for naturalization. The Big Island is my favorite and taking a helicopter tour over a live volcano is near the top of my all-time best experiences list! ", U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Consular Affairs. A military draft requires people of a certain age to serve in the armed forces even if they don't want to do so. Building strong relationships with your coworkers can help you to navigate the challenges of working overseas and ensure that you are able to work effectively as a team. First of all, the sense of community is different over in Germany. What Are the Advantages of the EU? Because home is 2,000+ miles away. 45 million Americans have student loan debt, and 7.5 million of those borrowers are in default. I miss that. A PCS to Hawaii also means learning and embracing Hawaiian customs, which you can learn more about here. In Germany, However, you if you're a student you pay 90 EURO a month and that is it. 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. The government typically will. Even so, dual citizens may be required to file U.S. tax returns even if they are living and earning income in New Zealand. -- Raquel Thiebes has been blogging about living overseas since 2007. Even though being there might get hard or be really frustrating at times. 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. Below are some of our biggest pros and cons of moving to Germany. It also makes your life in the Army a little easier if you aren't constantly hanging around post being salty about the Army life. Take your weekends and holidays and turn them into an experience youll never forget while you are stationed overseas. I craved quiet time. I also assumed that since Germany is a first-world, western country, surely culture shock would not exist! If the dependents stay in the same location, BAH will remain at the same rate. I also assumed that since Germany is a first-world, western country, surely culture shock would not exist! The festivals areso much fun and are a great way to spend an afternoon or evening. Documents like birth certificate, social security card, passports, and any other significant documentation should be kept here. Great weather. Even with sleeping 10-12 hours a night at first, I couldnt conjure up my normal energy. I am so glad you are here. There is so much love and aloha, which is what I think really makes Hawaii feel like home. That's why I started blogging about the overseas experience. 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. 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. Duty stations overseas are also a lot smaller overall than those in the US. My parents came for my graduation and to help with the last-minute PCS tasks, like overseeing the movers. While I was in Okinawa, Japan, I TDYd to the mainland of Japan, Guam, Alaska, and Australia. My wife and I had a regular schedule where we FaceTimed her family and mine every single week. In the event of an emergency, you are like 24-48 hours (at an absolute minimum) from getting back to them. This includes the right to vote and stand in elections, and the right to make donations to political candidates. There just doesnt seem to be the same type of experience where we are in the US. You can learn more about the standards we follow in producing accurate, unbiased content in our. Here are some of the best bases you will find overseas. delicious date night are neverending in Hawaii. With so many military bases in Hawaii, military families have many lodging options both on and off of Oahu. 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. Each of the Hawaiian Islands has its own unique terrain and claim to fame. 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! If you are ever in a solo PCS situation, especially overseas, get your family or close friends to help! 7. https://youtu.be/mqFEQIv4IjA You are not alone in your feelings. These experiences can help you to broaden your horizons and develop new interests, leading to a more well-rounded and fulfilling life. If you are close to your family, you may feel disconnected from them being on the other side of the world. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance". 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. You mean I have to pay for that? Being a little closer to thewar zone has itsbenefits. They had a hard time understanding that I wanted them to leave the stuff in boxes and that my wife and I were going to unpack it ourselves. Once I learned to appreciate the beauty around me, however, Hawaii quickly became a favorite duty station. Army nurses with ten to nineteen years of experience earn an hourly wage of $51.42 and a monthly income of $8,910. It does make you more likely to make rank if you have spent time overseas. The work and play mentality. 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. One of the biggest perks of traveling from Oahu is the availability of Space-A flights. 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. Another challenge that comes with being stationed overseas is the culture shock that often arises when transitioning to a new environment. 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! So happy to have Malori from Warrior Life Wellness to tell us all about what it is like to be stationed in Germany! Its been years since we moved back to the states and because of that I can look back and see Germany for what it was. Furthermore, being stationed overseas can also help to improve your language skills. Main Pros and Cons of Immigration Pros of Immigration Fastens the economic growth: Immigration fosters the economic output by producing more and giving the hours to the service industry. Being in the military, you will be able to submerge yourself in a foreign local culture completely on the governments dime and have experiences that youll never have in the continental United States. Traveling wasnt easy but we did what we could. Before our PCS to Hawaii, I was worried about not being accepted. 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. The shortest path to becoming a dual citizen is through birth, either by having parents with dual citizenship or by being born in a country with birthright citizenship. I was back at Ft. Bragg, in my senior year of nursing school, so to say we had a lot on our plates is an understatement! You will find that the cost of living in Germany is much better for most households of any size compared to what you would pay to live somewhere like Boston, New York City, or even Chicago. Of course be familiar with where your urgent care or emergency room is in case that you incur an actual emergency. In order to become naturalized as a U.S. citizen, a foreign national must be a permanent resident for several years, pass a U.S. citizenship test, and meet certain other eligibility requirements. If you are single, there is a lot of fun to be had being stationed overseas. 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. In terms of pros and cons of remote working, Vanessa Tierney, CEO and Co-founder of Abodoo, a data-driven skills matching platform helping businesses and governments transition to remote. Who Is Considered a Resident Alien? Being stationed abroad can help you to become more independent and self-reliant, as you navigate the challenges of life in a new environment. 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 you ever get the opportunity to be stationed overseas, I would make sure you take advantage and go. Obviously, there are pros and cons to being stationed overseas. Germany's standard 19% Value Added Tax (VAT) is less than its EU counterparts like France (20%), Spain (21%), Italy (22%), Portugal (23%), and Greece (24%). Australia, New Zealand, Fiji, and Japan are a mere skip and a hop away. In the last six years I have definitively seen differences between being stationed overseas and being stationed in the US. The average 2019 graduate owed $28,950 in college loans. Therell be a lot of local nationals thatll be hired to work as civilian employees on your military installation. Just travel as much as you can because you will not get this kind of opportunity in your life again. As someone who spent four years in Germany, I have to recommend that if you have the opportunity to go overseas, do it. "Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About International Individual Tax Matters," Select "General FAQs: 2. With crystal clear turquoise waters, white powdery beaches, and bright blue skies, Hawaii will likely be like nothing you've ever seen before. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads. Facts To Know About Social Security Numbers. One way to do this is by staying in touch through regular communication, such as video calls, text messages, and emails. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. 3. 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. Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. Do I still have to file a U.S. income tax return even though I do not live in the United States? What Is a Resident Alien? I pay income tax in a foreign country. Well, as you probably have guessed by now, I did marry a soldier and we did get stationed overseas! For example, you may have the opportunity to learn new hobbies or sports, explore new cities, or meet new people. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. In Mississippi, New Jersey, and Oregon, a commission reduction may be available at closing. Sitting, talking, and having a long time at a restaurant is expected. An expatriate is somebody who leaves their country of origin to live or work. In other words, they're going to. Basic needs such as food, electricity, internet and clothing are all relatively affordable. Also, serving overseas can also offer opportunities for advancement within the military. Sometimes the spouse thinks about staying in the US. 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. But my pride got the best of me and I struggled big time with adjusting. 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? Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet. In the last six years I have definitively seen differences between being stationed overseas and being stationed in the US. They have cut you off from hundreds of millions of potential customers in the US. 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. 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. Hohenfels to Salzburg: 3 hours. Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. Right in your inbox. Here's my top 10 list of living in Georgia pros and cons. Because of this, you spend a lot of time there and not as much time away. Living here has afforded our family the opportunity to learn so much about a culture different from our own. Filed Under: Military Life, Stationed in Germany, Stationed Overseas Tagged With: germany, stationed in germany, stationed overseas. Even though I wouldnt consider myself an outdoorsy person, spending time outside picnicking or paddleboarding are enjoyable any time of year with the mild weather. Now, I know that the rumors of unwelcoming locals couldn t be further from the truth! You will be glad you did. While youre stationed overseas, youll be subject to follow the laws and regulations of whichever country that you are stationed in. Being able to have my children learn to hula dance is an experience that we get only in Hawaii. 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. Early on, island fever (getting sick of living on an island) seemed to be a real thing. . A friend of mine who had passed a DLAB test was tasked with translating Japanese in Tokyo for the American Embassy. Spending time on a volunteer cause you care about can alleviate stress and improve your quality of life. To help mitigate these financial challenges, its important to budget carefully and make the most of the financial benefits available to military personnel. 1. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience. Having just a few hours difference made life a lot easier. She also creates YouTube videos about PCSing overseas and life in Germany for other milspouses who are walking the same path. . If you can speak the language, that will make things easier but at the end of the day, your Military friends will be your main link to America and you will feel the need to bond a little more than you do in the US. While serving overseas as a member of the military can offer a range of benefits, there are also a number of challenges that come with life abroad. I am so glad you are here. Germany was my first experience with the Army and my first experience living on an Army post. For individuals who are dual citizens of the U.S. and another country, the U.S. imposes taxes on its citizens for income earned anywhere in the world. I even have experience with German culture, from doing Bavarian folk dancing and taking over four years of German language courses. Every overseas military installation is strategic in nature and many of them are close to real world threats. It can be an interesting and exciting experience! 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. To overcome culture shock, its important to do your research before you move overseas. With crystal clear turquoise waters, white powdery beaches, and bright blue skies, Hawaii will likely be like nothing you've ever seen before. 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. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other. Obviously there are a lot of great places to travel in Europe. My husband of 20+ years has served in the active-duty Army and now the Army National Guard. Living life in Tennessee. Hohenfels to Paris: 8 hours. It felt as though it was always their town and it wasnt mine. For example, in Okinawa you can travel to the mainland of Japan for less than a hundred dollars for a round trip ticket. The torturous inner dialogue within ourselves is, Do I look, or do I wait?. (Austria is also very different culturally from Germany, despite both being German-speaking countries.) 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. Given the absolutely loathsome status of an IRS . So with an overseas move, Id say to give yourself at least six months to feel fully adjusted, if not one year. 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.

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