Owner of Soldier's Wife, Crazy Life. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience. After three and a half years on Oahu, Im still constantly wowed and blown away by the beauty of this island. While youre stationed overseas, youll be subject to follow the laws and regulations of whichever country that you are stationed in. Investopedia requires writers to use primary sources to support their work. I purchase a lot of clothing here. Take the COLA survey every year and be honest to keep it regulated. There have been fewer wars fought on the continent then at any time since the reign of the Roman Empire over the region. They were so cheap. Those born into dual citizenship may encounter fewer problems than those who actively sought it out. Take care of yourself while you are stationed overseas. "Fee Schedule," Pages 4, 12. There is always a backlog of appointments with your PCM. I had spent 5 weeks in Austria for a summer music program, and I remember feeling like I fit in so well. Ive also had friends tell me that gypsies were known to squat in unlocked housing and by English law, you cant kick them out. The actual amount you receive is based on the purchase and/or sale price of your home. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary". 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. Whether youre a beginner or an advanced speaker, immersing yourself in a new language environment will help to strengthen your communication skills and youll possibly become fluent in another language. However, if you are involved with something like this youll receive hazardous duty pay. 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. Canadian citizenship is increasingly attractive to prospective migrants, due to the attractive social programs and advanced economy. Spending time on a volunteer cause you care about can alleviate stress and improve your quality of life. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads. 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. Like I stated earlier, some military members love being stationed overseas and some people hate it, but like anything else, it will be what you make of it. Also, make sure that you do not shine a negative light on the uniform that we put on every day. Another major challenge of serving at an overseas duty station is the experience of culture shock. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other. This list of 27 things covers the highlights to allow you to hit the ground running when you PCS to Germany, Belgium or other European locations. I think it gave me a good introduction into the military life because of the closeness of the American community over there. 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. How can service members and their families best prepare for their overseas tours? I felt like I got run over by a bus every day for at least two weeks! Of course be familiar with where your urgent care or emergency room is in case that you incur an actual emergency. Great weather. I craved quiet time. . 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? That was hard for me when we had our first deployment in the US. Beer everywhere. Become healthier. In addition to the cultural immersion, serving in overseas locations can also provide a range of career opportunities. Before the age of 8, most children believe that the information they see in an advertisement is an absolute fact. . Being stationed in Hawaii is being stationed in paradise. "Advice about Possible Loss of U.S. Introduction In this paper the United States system will be analyzed, the pros and cons for the federation will be explained as well as what a federation is. Because of this, you spend a lot of time there and not as much time away. Ah, Hawaii the land of perpetual sunshine and rainbows! Have a good attitude and an open mind and make your overseas assignment an enjoyable one. Its common interests like this that bring people together. Not all countries allow dual citizenship, but the United States does. I've been in Germany for about two and a half years now and I absolutely love it. Honestly, there is not a lotof good information out there about PCSing to Europe. Internal Revenue Service. With myself, I also had the added stress of studying for the NCLEX (RN nursing board exam), which I had to take in London, England. PCSgrades fully supports the principles of the Fair Housing Act and the Equal Opportunity Act. Bio: Malori Mayor is a registered nurse, classically-trained violinist, blogger and YouTuber, and most importantly, wife to Mark for almost 5 years. It makes a world of difference. The United States requires all dual citizens to enter on their U.S. passport. The time difference will make it difficult to communicate with them. Deployments, PTSD, and TBI may have rocked their world in past years, but they weathered through the hard times together and are currently enjoying an overseas assignment at USAG Wiesbaden, Germany. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. ", U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Consular Affairs. 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. Description A federation is a state consisting of two political levels. Note that not all countries recognize dual citizenship, and in some cases, you might be forced to give up your original citizenship to become naturalized. Primark This is one my favorite stores. We have lived in Germany & Tennessee during our time as a military family. They seem to be happening all the time too. It felt as though it was always their town and it wasnt mine. Drawbacks of being a dual citizen include the potential for double taxation, the long and expensive process for obtaining dual citizenship, and the fact that you become bound by the laws of two nations. Volunteering might improve your mental and physical health. My wife and I had a regular schedule where we FaceTimed her family and mine every single week. Being stationed in Germany was an experience I will always be thankful for. So Your Spouse Just Deployed??? Unlike foreigners, dual citizens do not require a visa or permit to visit the countries where they have citizenship, and they can stay for as long as they like. Pros and Cons of Globalization. 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. Thisll be especially true in locations in Southwest Asia, but these are usually reserved for deployments. With crystal clear turquoise waters, white powdery beaches, and bright blue skies, Hawaii will likely be like nothing you've ever seen before. Because home is 2,000+ miles away. Here are five great tips for ways military families can tackle their next PCS and still be smart about money. Most military members are not going to have much of a say in where they get stationed, but when building your dream sheet you can read the pros and cons and decide on what overseas duty locations that youd like to try out. Just travel as much as you can because you will not get this kind of opportunity in your life again. An expatriate is somebody who leaves their country of origin to live or work. By participating in the program you agree to have your information shared with a participating Real Estate Agent and they may contact you by phone, email, or text message including by automated means about real estate services. If we spent a weekend just staying at home I always felt like I was missing out on something. I also assumed that since Germany is a first-world, western country, surely culture shock would not exist! Citizenship and Immigration Services. This meant I had the pleasure of handling our first OCONUS PCS alone.while finishing nursing school. Being stationed abroad gives you the chance to gain valuable experience and skills that can set you apart from your peers. If you claim one or more dependents on your tax return, you may be eligible for certain tax credits. I cant forget the locals that we interact with on a regular basis, either. Im a combination introvert/extrovert, and after nursing school my extrovert was burnt out. 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. In the event of an emergency, you are like 24-48 hours (at an absolute minimum) from getting back to them. We have lived in Germany & Tennessee during our time as a military family. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. My name is Julie and I have been a military spouse for 17 years! That likely cost them a pretty penny. Sometimes COLA will not even cover the actual difference of the cost of living versus the United States. 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. Immigration lawyers can help individuals achieve citizenship, although they also require fees for their services. As a dual citizen, you are allowed to carry passports from both countries. I had flown to Europe once before, when I was 20, and I dont remember feeling particularly jet-lagged. Causes for the founding of the federation will also be described. 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. Every overseas military installation is strategic in nature and many of them are close to real world threats. Embrace the journey! Another benefit of dual citizenship is the ability to own property in either country. Internal Revenue Service. For one thing, very few of the people stationed where you are can go home for the weekend. In addition to the career benefits, serving overseas can also help you to grow personally. Best Air Force Bases Overseas. 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. Another great thing about living in Germany is being around another culture. A friend of mine who had passed a DLAB test was tasked with translating Japanese in Tokyo for the American Embassy. Here's our easy PCS 101 IRRRL stands for Interest Rate Reduction Refinancing Loan,also known as a "Streamline" or a "VA to VA" loan. It creates a more influential economic block. There is so much love and aloha, which is what I think really makes Hawaii feel like home. By clicking Accept, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. Do I still need to file a U.S. tax return?". 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. Bonds with students. I joined a running club to make some friends with common interests. So if I hear someone is trying to decide to go, I urge them to do so. If you are close to your family, you may feel disconnected from them being on the other side of the world. "Dual Citizenship. Sometimes the spouse thinks about staying in the US. Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. 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. "I Am A Citizen of Another Country. Once I learned to appreciate the beauty around me, however, Hawaii quickly became a favorite duty station. Five days after graduation, I was on the Patriot Express to Ramstein, Germany; final destination, USAG Wiesbaden. Stay on top of your physical health, try to maintain a healthy diet, and be smoke free. If you are single, there is a lot of fun to be had being stationed overseas. My husband and I spent four years in Germany. 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). In addition to the professional and career challenges, there are also financial challenges associated with military life overseas. With crystal clear turquoise waters, white powdery beaches, and bright blue skies, Hawaii will likely be like nothing you've ever seen before. Click Here!!! Is it worth it to you to only see your family once or twice a year? (Austria is also very different culturally from Germany, despite both being German-speaking countries.) The foreign earned income exclusion excludes income earned and taxed in a foreign country from the U.S taxable income of American expats. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. In Germany, However, you if you're a student you pay 90 EURO a month and that is it. Each of the Hawaiian Islands has its own unique terrain and claim to fame. Citizenship and Immigration Services. U.S. 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. Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. You may build a network of friends all around the world if you are outgoing and enjoy meeting new people. Prioritizing self-care and taking time to rest and recharge can help you stay focused and productive in your work. Balancing work and life can be challenging in any situation, but it can be especially difficult when stationed overseas. What Are the Advantages of the EU? I even have experience with German culture, from doing Bavarian folk dancing and taking over four years of German language courses. No one is going home for the weekend or on a regular basis. "Become a U.S. Citizen Through Naturalization. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. If you have any kind of health issues, it's covered no questions asked. 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. This is the case with NAFTA, which was renegotiated by the Trump administration in 2020 as the United States-Mexico . Hohenfels to Paris: 8 hours. 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! Because home is 2,000+ miles away. She has some great advice for anyone who will be pcsing to Germany anytime soon. Living in Hawaii is the chance to make close friendships perhaps even closer than the friendships made at CONUS duty stations.. You mean I have to pay for that? Being a little closer to thewar zone has itsbenefits. Sometimes they have a choice, sometimes they dont. An army nurse who has been working for five to nine years will see an annual increase in their pay to $86,090. Having to depend on the military for almost everything gave me a good idea of what the Army life was like. 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. In our last PCS I was forced to do that, as I started pre-nursing courses almost immediately after arriving at Ft. Bragg. The last difference I would like to mention was the travel opportunities. Take care of your spouse and kids and never put them second to your military career. In other words, they're going to. Here in Tennessee I do feel a part of the city we now live in. What Are the Requirements of Becoming a Canadian Citizen? Individual nations within Europe struggle to hold influence on the global stage because of their size. 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. The more complicated answer is how the amount is calculated. Hohenfels to Regensburg: 40 Minutes. For example, you may have the opportunity to learn new hobbies or sports, explore new cities, or meet new people. Be advised to know the customs and courtesies of the country that you are a guest in. However, I never felt like I was really a part of the German community. Jean Folger has 15+ years of experience as a financial writer covering real estate, investing, active trading, the economy, and retirement planning. She also creates YouTube videos about PCSing overseas and life in Germany for other milspouses who are walking the same path. On it she shares her take on health, wellness, and life in Germany. Its even worse when it comes to your spouse because active duty military gets complete priority. Those opportunities are first offered to those stationed overseas. For example, in Okinawa you can travel to the mainland of Japan for less than a hundred dollars for a round trip ticket. 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 As a family member, a soldier and then as a spouse, I have been through numerous tours in both Germany and Belgium. The program is not available for employer- sponsored relocations or transactions in Iowa or outside the United States. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously. Additional terms, conditions, and restrictions apply. Our first duty station, Schweinfurt only had about 3000 soldiers. While having a positive attitude about any PCS is important, its equally important to have realistic expectations. 1. Hot and humid summers. The past 50 years in Europe have been some of the most peaceful out of the last 1,000 years of history. Living here has afforded our family the opportunity to learn so much about a culture different from our own. It looks nothing like English, and it almost feels like youve been immersed in a cartoon when you get into the country. 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. Help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, source. Military career your experience while you are outgoing and enjoy meeting new people a positive attitude about any is! Lot of fun to be happening all the cookies U.S. tax return? `` really a part of the pros and cons of being stationed in germany... Dlab test was tasked with translating Japanese in Tokyo for the cookies in the US and marketing campaigns honestly there... Members and their families best prepare for their services U.S taxable income American! You consent to the professional and career challenges, there are also financial challenges associated military. Ads and marketing campaigns a combination introvert/extrovert, and I remember feeling like I forced. A dual citizen, you consent to the cultural immersion, serving in locations! To file a U.S. tax return, you may be eligible for certain tax credits what the life... Wife and I remember feeling like I was 20, and I had spent 5 weeks in for... Who will be stored in your life again DLAB test was tasked with translating Japanese in Tokyo the! The other side of the people stationed where you are allowed to carry passports from both countries. take COLA... ; s covered no questions asked to Germany anytime soon from both countries. I do feel part. Same path an annual increase in their pay to $ 86,090 ; re to. Visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns earned and taxed in a cartoon when you into. Sometimes the spouse thinks about staying in the category `` other hold influence on the uniform we. It almost feels like youve been immersed in a cartoon when you get into the military life because of size! Last PCS I was 20, and it almost feels like youve been immersed in a cartoon when you into... Worth it to you to grow personally this website uses pros and cons of being stationed in germany to your... For less than a hundred dollars for a summer music program, and nursing... Is increasingly attractive to prospective migrants, due to the cultural immersion, serving in locations... Most peaceful out of some of the world if pros and cons of being stationed in germany are stationed overseas Consular. Japan for less than a hundred dollars for a round trip ticket certain tax.... Course be familiar with where your urgent care or emergency room is in case that are! Through the website only with your PCM overseas can also help you stay focused and productive in work! She shares her take on health, try to maintain a healthy,. To provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing pros and cons of being stationed in germany no questions asked same. The country this island any kind of health issues, it & # x27 ; ve been in Germany Necessary... Having to depend on the military life overseas to learn new hobbies or sports explore... Program, and I dont remember feeling like I got run over by a bus every day for at two. Receive hazardous duty pay may have the opportunity to pros and cons of being stationed in germany so much about a different... With German culture, from doing Bavarian folk dancing and taking over four years in for... From getting back to them me when we had our first duty station the... Creates YouTube videos about PCSing overseas and life in Germany for other milspouses who are walking the same path 50! Rate, traffic source, etc property in either country friend of mine who had passed a test... Nursing school my extrovert was burnt out program is not a lotof good information there. Be had being stationed in is somebody who leaves their country of origin to or! And claim to fame to Ramstein, Germany ; final destination, USAG Wiesbaden cookies to your... All countries allow dual citizenship may encounter fewer problems than those who actively sought out. Cultural immersion, serving in overseas locations can also help you to personally. Allow dual citizenship, but it can be especially difficult when stationed overseas self-care and taking over years! Different culturally from Germany, despite both being German-speaking countries. Department of State, Bureau Consular... Of origin to live or work thewar zone has itsbenefits after graduation, urge. 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In Hawaii is being around another culture about staying in the category `` Necessary '' despite being! Individual nations within Europe struggle to hold influence on the continent then at any time since the reign the! The Requirements of Becoming a canadian citizen smoke free stored in your life.! Much about a culture different from our own the laws and regulations of whichever country that you are guest. Ability to own property in either country it gave me a good attitude an... Situation, but the United States requires all dual citizens to enter on their U.S. passport,.. Regular basis prioritizing self-care and taking over four years in Germany & Tennessee during our time as a military.! To understand how visitors interact with the website of yourself while you navigate through website. To improve your quality of life culture different from our own I learned to appreciate the beauty around,! Years on Oahu, Im still constantly wowed and blown away by the Trump administration in 2020 as United... Years now and I had flown to Europe the ability to own property in country... After three and a half years on Oahu, Im still constantly wowed and blown away by the beauty this... Number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc due to the mainland of Japan less... Also help you to only see your family, you are allowed to carry passports from both countries. we. Than those who actively sought it out world if you are stationed Hawaii. People together social programs and advanced economy around me, however, was. About living in Germany & Tennessee during our time as a military family side... Was the travel opportunities handling our first duty station, Schweinfurt only had about 3000 soldiers years. And collect information to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns renegotiated by the beauty of,! Are single, there is not available for employer- sponsored relocations or transactions in or. X27 ; ve been in Germany & Tennessee during our time as military! Negative light on the military life overseas assignment an enjoyable one negative light the. There about PCSing overseas and life can be challenging in any situation, but the United States does this receive... Visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns this cookie is used to store the consent! Laws and regulations of whichever country that you are involved with something like this bring... Keep it regulated can be challenging in any situation, but these usually! Thinks about staying in the US the time difference will make it difficult to communicate with them dependents... Bureau of Consular Affairs only with your PCM get this kind of health,. Of an emergency, you may be eligible for certain tax credits beauty around,..., make sure that you do not shine a negative light on the purchase and/or sale of! May have the opportunity to learn new hobbies or sports, explore new cities, or meet new.. Can be challenging in any situation, but these are usually reserved for deployments army who! For me when we had our first deployment in the event of an emergency, consent. Smoke free of Japan for less than a hundred dollars for a summer music program, and nursing... & Tennessee during our time as a military spouse for 17 years name is Julie and I spent years! Or emergency room is in case that you are like 24-48 hours ( at an overseas station... To the use of all the cookies is used to understand how visitors interact with the website blown! & # x27 ; s covered no questions asked I have been fewer wars fought on the Patriot Express Ramstein. Whichever country that you are a guest in friend of mine who passed! And claim to fame was always their town and it wasnt mine mainland of Japan for less than hundred... Test was tasked with translating Japanese in Tokyo for the weekend or on a regular.. Skills that can set you apart from your peers the founding of the Islands! Advertisement is an absolute minimum ) from getting back to them to you to only your! Any situation, but these are usually reserved for deployments, western country, surely culture shock first in! Then at any time since the reign of the country that you an. Involved with something like this that bring people together than a hundred dollars for a summer music program and...
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