As it would happen, my husband had to report to Germany before I was done with school. I'm amazed with how many bases Army has throughout Germany. 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! Create an account to follow your favorite communities and start taking part in conversations. 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. There's a definite glass ceiling in workplaces in Germany that only a few get to break through. 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. Maybe it's not safe or too expensive to move the whole family for only one year. When my husband joined the Army, I thought it would be amazing to be able to live overseas. I even have experience with German culture, from doing Bavarian folk dancing and taking over four years of German language courses. Generally speaking, Germans can be tough to engage with, but once expats make an effort to immerse themselves in local culture and perhaps learn the language, theyll find that the locals will warm up to them. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. Cities are also well serviced by local bus, train and tram systems, so much so, that many expats dont feel the need to own a car. However, I was wrong. Supermarkets sell one-time BBQs during the summer months, or if you are a real pro, you bring your portable BBQ from home. -Is the on-installation youth program alive and well for my teenager? Im in Kaiserslautern and I love it. Stationed In Germany: What you need to know before your PCS, harder than a the kids in Heavy Weights going to fat camp, It really doesnt matter what side of the fence you are in, because whether you have already created a whole, 2) Look through the local Buy and Sell pages on Facebook, like the. Grocery shopping Originally, I thought shopping on Post would be better than shopping in the German Economy. Let them know what an experience this will be for them, and for you. Please try again later. It was my first duty station and I deployed out of there. 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. It is mandatory for everyone who lives in Germany to be insured. Expectation Management The first thing I did not expect was being so jet-lagged. benefits of being stationed in germany . Five days after graduation, I was on the Patriot Express to Ramstein, Germany; final destination, USAG Wiesbaden. Once you know that you that your next set of orders will be sending you abroad, contact the Transportation Management Office (TMO) to learn the logistical nitty-gritty details relative to your move. Know your benefits. We have now been at Fort Campbell on the Kentucky and Tennessee border for a little over two years. When I think back to those years, I think about all the things I learned during our time in Germany. A typical German is actually required to take a class that costs thousands of dollars, is hundreds (yes, as in 300+) hours of classwork and driving practice and pass a difficult test in order to receive a drivers license. January 14, 2021. My name is Julie and I have been a military spouse for 17 years! It is no wonder public transportation is so good and efficient in Europewho wants to pay those gas prices!? In general you may be a bit further behind other people in the Army who have been in the USA. Please let me know if you would like to guest post about where you are stationed! If you are not used to having cash in your wallet, you will need to get used to carrying some. To learn about adjusting to life in the country, read Culture Shock in Germany. These movies are called OV (original version) or OMU (Original with subtitles in English), and few cinemas play them. I get 30 vacation days! Cities are also well serviced by local bus, train and tram systems, so much so, that many expats don't feel the need to own a car. Being stationed overseas is quite an experience. All foreigners from outside the European Union who wish to stay in Germany for longer than 90 days will need a visa. She has some great advice for anyone who will be pcsing to Germany anytime soon. The annual income of a nurse in Germany is around 33,000 EUR, which is around . I met my wife there, she is German. Germans often wont speak English in certain situations out of embarrassment or simply because they dont want the exchange to last too long. Overall we had a challenging yet amazing experience. Related Guide: Best Internet Providers in Germany. 1. BRUSSELS The United States and . The TMO will most likely direct you to them as part of the moving overseas process. You can then use this card at any Esso station, Having a CMR (Community Mail Room) that gives you a US address, even while in Germany is a God-send!!! Depending on where you come from, some things in Germany might be shocking, while others will bring you a lot of joy. GETTING STATIONED IN GERMANY?? The quality of the beer is top-notch, award-winning, and just plain delicious if thats your thing. 7 days, 7 emails! This is the example of dasElterngeld, an app designed to help new parents file for parental allowance (Elterngeld). From fruits and veggies to furniture, Germany has a lot to offer. Finally, get out and travel, travel, TRAVEL! Make sure to check it out if you are on the lookout for any. Another legal difference in Germany is the danger of being fined if you don't follow the country's naming laws for a new child. However, visiting Europe, even for an extended trip, is much different than coming here to live. If you are command sponsored, then work with TMO and the other resources available to plan your move and the family's personal travel. With the added benefits of being able to vote in elections, enter politics yourself and work in the civil service, as well as being able to retire anywhere in the EU, it's easy to see the advantages of having German citizenship. Give it to your family and friends ASAP and let them know that it is the. We were told we were going to be there doing one mission and one mission only. , , emodal contact phone number; how to stop a narcissist in his . Firing people in Germany is not like we see it in the US movies, where one day you arrive at the office, your boss fires you, you pack your things, and walk out of the building with a box filled with your belongings. These reasons need to be foolproof as any employee can sue the company for firing them unfairly. The simple answer is, yes; your service member will still receive BAH for their family when they go unaccompanied. If you say you will meet with some German friends at 18:00, you better be there at 17:55. I had a preference for the Far east for 20 years in the Army. So happy to have Malori from Warrior Life Wellness to tell us all about what it is like to be stationed in Germany! The whole point of Christmas Eve is to wait for midnight. As my husband likes to preach: expectation management. This is not about being negative or complaining, but simply having a balanced outlook for your transition. May require a visa to enter and live in the host nation country. Then, you have McChord Airfield. Some families ship critical items in advance via the flat-rate boxes offered by the US Postal 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. Whether she is moving to a farm in Switzerland to learn to make cheese (Yes, CHEESE), jumping off a mountain to paraglide over Cinderella castles, or taking her baby all over the world with nothing but a backpack on their backs, LeAnna designs and defines her OWN life. 2. benefits of being stationed in germany. These are some of the important finer points to consider before you move overseas. Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features. The higher your spouse's rank, the higher your weight allowance. They carry a deep secret fear that one day there will be a knock at the door. HERE'S MY ADVICEI was stationed in Germany in 2010 and it was an awesome time. Become our local expat expert for your area! Check out our guides on how to move to Germany and the best cities to live in Germany. A kiosk is a small shop that sells coffee, cigarettes, snacks, sweets, cold beer, and some hard alcohol. 1 MorningstarJP 4 yr. ago Germany is pretty awesome. Employers need to have real reasons to let you go. . The opening hours depend on the type of clinic or bank, and they are different from day-to-day. Germany has a big network of public transportation, including buses, trams, trains, and if the place requires it, a ferry (like in Hamburg). If you are moving to a shared apartment (WG), most likely, a flatmate already has an internet contract, and you wont have to worry much about it, except for paying your monthly share. After a weekend of alcohol fueled debauchery you will go back to vilseck for a week of suffering just to repeat the process over again. Old processes and bureaucracy that is so German. Before we moved there I wasn't sure what it would be like. On the other hand, expats can experience a lot of culture shock when first moving here owingto the language barrier and sometimes conservative culture. Most military families simply buy their car once they arrive in country since they know it will be well-suited to local conditions. This is without a doubt the best assignment I have ever had. I always have considered myself a punctual person. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance". I again drew on my former European experience. A common stereotype of Germans is tha Most important, your military spouse won't receive any additional monies such as Overseas Cost of Living Allowance (COLA) or Overseas Housing Allowance (OHA) for living off the installation. The information in this guide is very subjective and based on my own experience. Enjoy your time, take lots of photos, and breathe it all in. If you are looking to study in Germany, I got good news for you: there are no tuition fees in most German universities! Related Guide: Can you drink tap water in Germany? I have experienced some very nice and some very very rude customer service support in Germany. Dont ask me why, but that is how apartments are usually rented out in Germany without a kitchen. So Your Spouse Just Deployed??? You can now cancel or change contracts with a one-month notice period after the first 24 months. Moving from your current location back "home" works a little differently. Connect with Malori on YouTube, Instagram, and Facebook! You just found out that your next duty station will take you and your family far, far away to foreign places others only dream of visiting. Germany is one of the most innovative countries worldwide, with a strong history of leveraging science and technology to benefit its economy. Born Abroad" issued by the State Dep't from the nearest consulate or embassy--your parents who were military and stationed in Germany at that time would have gotten that document and used it to apply for your US passport . Most hospital workers can speak English, so expats wont experience a language barrier. Boy is that accurate. Unless told otherwise, you are generally allowed to bring up to two pets per household with you abroad. If the dependents stay in the same location, BAH will remain at the same rate. They are nice and friendly especially when you are polite and try to speak some Italian (hello, thank you, etc). When my husband Mark received orders for Germany in 2017, he was deployed to east Africa. We have a whole section about insurances. Depending on the cables installed in your building and the provider you choose, the process can last a few days or weeks. Other things like learning the best places and times to shop, learning the lay of the land, and finding your tribe take time. The Sip: Happy Halloween With a Side of MilSpouseFest Get your passport ASAP. According to an article from the Deutsche Welle, the crime rates fell to the lowest in decades in 2018. Cha c sn phm trong gi hng. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously. Its the weekend? Even in the coronavirus crisis, the fact that the federal government and the governments of the federal states have to coordinate with one another often presents a challenge. They worry even when "they're fine.". benefits of being stationed overseas. But it was nice. 1. Germans love their rules and follow them. 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. So a lot of people without a lot of drinking under their belt get into a lot of trouble. On average, a 30-year old might have up to 7 insurances! This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. What about your dog? There are several things they won't tell you about deployment. Embrace the journey! This was a big step forward towards equality and openness. Its a monumental task, but you will be forever grateful for it. Instead, you may have to arrange for storage of certain items. This con is my own opinion. . -Are there childcare options if I decide to get a job on base? And then he got orders to Germany. If you dont, you will get caught and will get into trouble. And if you combine your vacation days with the official national holidays, you can get even more days off work. With the help of the app, a family can file for parental allowance in 30 minutes. Lots of cool shit to see though. Below we give you some of the top benefits encountered by expats living in Germany. All the family meets, drinks, dances (sometimes), and eats until the mornings early hours. Generally, any official process needs some forms, tons of appointments, and a lot of time. Try to keep an open mind: Unlike the last PCS, you aren't moving a couple states over. Compared to coastal cities in the US and other major European countries, Germany is relatively affordable. I enjoy it. The history buff in you will revel in the buildings and battlefields that exist, not on the pages of a textbook, but right before your very eyes. 16. Various military occupations, such as nuclear weapons technicians and dental technicians, include routine and usually safe exposure to radiation. Only in Europe, baby! Finer Point # 4: Some things can be shipped; others cannot. If you decide to go along with him without command sponsorship (and others have done so before you for the experience of living in some locations), keep in mind that you: Won't be allowed on the overseas installation unless someone signs you in. The pros of living in Germany definitely outweigh the cons. You might get lucky and have friendly neighbors who wont mind you vacuuming or turning your washing machine on Sundays . Finer Point #3: Less is more when it comes to your household goods shipment. So with an overseas move, Id say to give yourself at least six months to feel fully adjusted, if not one year. You will be able to do so many amazing things, and your memories will stay with you for the rest of your life. I am so glad you are here. Once the initial euphoria you feel over your future sightseeing and world-class shopping escapades has subsided, however, you will still have to deal with The Move, every military spouse's favorite job, right? Benefits for being stationed in hawaii Extra pay when stationed in hawaii frankdgreen Level 1 (Contributor) 2 Answers 0 1 It is possible there is a special program for it but it all depends on the posts needs and strengths in jobs pick a similar job and it will help but remember nothing is for sure in the army. Finer Point #1: You must be named on your service member's orders in order to relocate with him. Usually, they are only available in 3D, and a ticket costs 15 euros (freaking expensive, if you ask me). It's not an ideal first station for younger soldiers. There's a noticeable difference between how those with private medical insurance are treated in comparison to people on public insurance. There will be 200,000 unfilled vacancies in Germany for nurses by 2030. Empowering internationals to settle intolife in Germany more smoothly. An interview with John - an American expat living in Germany, Interview with Katlin - an American expat in Germany, Interview with Marisa - An American living in Germany, Interview with Ana P - an expat from the Philippines living in Germany, Interview with Andrea W - an American living in Germany, Interview with Samantha Ley - An American expat living in Germany. 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. I wanted to be stationed there after my tour in Japan was done, but it wasn't an option. In some cities, like in Dusseldorf, the tap water may have too much limescale. Finally, as you begin the "take this" and "leave that" process, keep in mind that chances are good that you will only add to your weight allowance while you are living overseas with your shopping adventures. This meant I had the pleasure of handling our first OCONUS PCS alone.while finishing nursing school. Dont get me wrong, they could be very nice and polite, but just because you have a beer with someone a couple of times does not mean they are your friends. Wiesbaden is by far the best installation there. The first benefit of German citizenship is that you have the right to live, work, study and open businesses in Germany without needing to deal with German bureaucracy. Repeat for 3 years with the occasional trip to Munich or Frankfurt thrown in there. TL;DR: Nursing in Germany offers you the chance to learn a new language and work in a world-class health care system. As an EU citizen, you can travel to and from the 27 member . In a world in which 40 per cent of all nations are still ruled by dictatorships, and wars result in millions of deaths and refugees, this kind of community of stability . Germany's preference for higher education scholarships and funding for international students is frequently criticised. This has to do a bit with con#3 bureaucracy. I say the most because unis in Baden-Wrttemberg charge, on average, 1.500 euros in tuition fees per semester. Ive met people who have had to wait up to 6 weeks to get an internet connection at home. We are talking HUGE savings here compared to gas on the economy. So Im happy to meet with Germans and appreciate their punctuality. Related Guide: Unemployment Benefits in Germany. There you have it. Even with sleeping 10-12 hours a night at first, I couldnt conjure up my normal energy. Learn everything you need to know here. Bio: Malori Mayor is a registered nurse, classically-trained violinist, blogger and YouTuber, and most importantly, wife to Mark for almost 5 years. Whether Europe or Asia awaits you, life will be full of new and thrilling adventures. The drinking age here is 16. You can travel to the north, explore the German beaches, or go to the south and explore the Alps! Pinterest board dedicated to all the places you are going to travel, Detailed Guide to Using Your Esso Fuel Card in Germany, what to expect when heading to USAG Hohenfels, 18 Tips On How To Budget Travel Ireland Like A Pro, Bangkok Itinerary 5 Days: Making The Most Of Your Time in BKK, Krabi With Kids: Why Krabi Is the PERFECT Thailand Family Holiday Destination, USAG Hohenfels: The first glance at your new duty station. Everyone who works in Germany has access to social security and its benefits like unemployment insurance, healthcare or retirement insurance. Depending on an expat's salary, income tax can be as high as 40 percentof their income. Germans tend to negotiate for more flexible working hours and often put their families above work.
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