The cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional". This meant I had the pleasure of handling our first OCONUS PCS alone.while finishing nursing school. I took my two boys on a train to visit my friend in Austria, we went on a cruise to the Mediterranean,and I went on a few USO trips during my time there. She has conducted in-depth research on social and economic issues and has also revised and edited educational materials for the Greater Richmond area. In this case, that person would become a citizen of both countries, unless their home country does not allow dual citizenship. Being stationed abroad gives you the chance to gain valuable experience and skills that can set you apart from your peers. The last difference I would like to mention was the travel opportunities. Other eligibility requirements include being at least 18 years old when you apply and being able to read, write, and speak basic English. Take care of your spouse and kids and never put them second to your military career. Those born into dual citizenship may encounter fewer problems than those who actively sought it out. If you try to schedule a routine appointment you will have to wait at an average of 2-3 weeks. Obviously, there are pros and cons to being stationed overseas. (Austria is also very different culturally from Germany, despite both being German-speaking countries.) We were stationed at two different places, Schweinfurt and Grafenwoeher. Many of my friends found their future wives in the foreign country that they were stationed in. Germany was my first experience with the Army and my first experience living on an Army post. Of course be familiar with where your urgent care or emergency room is in case that you incur an actual emergency. Make sure you have renter's insurance. Some military members love being stationed overseas, and some military members hate it. 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. Because of this, you spend a lot of time there and not as much time away. Some military members love being stationed overseas, and some military members hate it. Luckily he survived and I arrived in 36 hours to be by his side. 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. PCSgrades fully supports the principles of the Fair Housing Act and the Equal Opportunity Act. Dual citizenship is when a person is a citizen of two countries at the same time, with all the rights and privileges that come with it. Plus, if it happens to be raining on your part of the island, just take a short drive to the other side, where you can usually find sunshine. Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet. Causes for the founding of the federation will also be described. Also, make sure that you do not shine a negative light on the uniform that we put on every day. As a dual citizen, you are allowed to carry passports from both countries. We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. Even simple drives to a local park or convenience store have opened my eyes to beauty that I had never noticed before. Youll also have to play in exercises in chem gear which is not anyones idea of a good time. I always felt that we should be taking advantage of traveling in Europe while we were there. My parents came for my graduation and to help with the last-minute PCS tasks, like overseeing the movers. The medical benefits abroad are not the best from my experience, and Ill discuss that in the cons section. The actual amount you receive is based on the purchase and/or sale price of your home. We have lived in Germany & Tennessee during our time as a military family. Also known as "The Peach State". 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. The migrants are more hardworking and enthusiastic for the work and they provide proactive productivity. Hello You Designs. 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. January 31, 2019 by Guest Writer 5 Comments. This is a large base that does not have a lot of Westernized shopping. It was wonderful to simply live with my husband again after almost a year apart! I love to buy cleaning items and cosmetics here. Beer everywhere. Deployments can last for months or even years, which can be tough on families. Hohenfels to Prague: About 3 hours. There is so much love and aloha, which is what I think really makes Hawaii feel like home. Additionally, traveling home on leave will be very expensive. 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. Sometimes the spouse thinks about staying in the US. Explore each state's voter registration age requirements at USA.gov. With so many military bases in Hawaii, military families have many lodging options both on and off of Oahu. I am so glad you are here. Citizenship and Immigration Services. Hohenfels to Regensburg: 40 Minutes. She also creates YouTube videos about PCSing overseas and life in Germany for other milspouses who are walking the same path. We have now been at Fort Campbell on the Kentucky and Tennessee border for a little over two years. Moving from your current location back "home" works a little differently. Best Air Force Bases Overseas. But 12 years later? Investigate purchasing a tourist passport before you leave. Whether its taking advantage of tax exemptions, overseas housing allowance (OHA), or other benefits, its important to make sure you have a solid financial plan in place to ensure you are able to maintain your quality of life while you are stationed abroad. After being in the US for a few years I can say that I miss that sense of community that we had over in Germany. 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! 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. 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. Reliable, punctual people. Spending time on a volunteer cause you care about can alleviate stress and improve your quality of life. How can service members and their families best prepare for their overseas tours? 6. Owner of Soldier's Wife, Crazy Life. 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. She has some great advice for anyone who will be pcsing to Germany anytime soon. Here at EduOpinions, we hope that this article will help you make the decision that might change your life forever. While the cultural immersion, career opportunities, and personal growth that come with a posting abroad can be incredibly rewarding, they are often balanced by the difficulties of being away from home, adjusting to new cultures, and navigating unfamiliar business practices. Its a coin flip if they speak English or not. 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. Mom to three boys, wife of a National Guard soldier. Consider David Davenport's con argument, including that other laws (governing activities such as driving, drinking, and smoking) have increased ages instead of lowering them based on the immaturity of teenagers. Why? Not all family members can visit those stationed overseas. 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. (Austria is also very different culturally from Germany, despite both being German-speaking countries.) Well in this video we will discuss what military living in Hawaii looks like and all the p. These VA Home Loan FAQs ensures Military.com members are fully prepared to take advantage of this exclusive benefit. There have been fewer wars fought on the continent then at any time since the reign of the Roman Empire over the region. The first thing I did not expect was being so jet-lagged. A resident alien is a foreign born, non-U.S. citizen who is currently residing in the United States. Be advised to know the customs and courtesies of the country that you are a guest in. To help mitigate these financial challenges, its important to budget carefully and make the most of the financial benefits available to military personnel. To help cope with homesickness, its important to stay in touch with your loved ones as much as possible. "Become a U.S. Citizen Through Naturalization. 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. These free flights fromJoint Base Pearl Harbor Hickamfly to bases all over the world.Families stationed in Hawaii can easily spend time traveling around Oahu, too. Dual citizens can participate fully in the political life of every country where they have citizenship. The nuggets you do find on official websites can be confusing or raise even more questions. I Am A Citizen of Another Country. 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. It does not store any personal data. To apply for permanent residency, most individuals file form 1-485, Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status. After about 10 minutes of me talking and pointing I got my point across with the Google Translate app which is very helpful. 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 time difference will make it difficult to communicate with them. In this article, I'll discuss the pros and cons of military life overseas and provide my personal tips for balancing them. 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. A beautiful and varied landscape. 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. If you are seeking a position with the U.S government or your job requires access to information that is considered classified by the U.S. government, having dual citizenship may bar you from gaining the security clearance you need for this type of employment. Children have a certain innocence about them when it comes to the world. Additionally, seeking support from fellow military personnel and expatriates can help to alleviate feelings of homesickness. In Germany, you practically have to hunt your waitress down for your check when you need to go. It's great meeting so many like-minded travel buddies. As a family member, a soldier and then as a spouse, I have been through numerous tours in both Germany and Belgium. Part of the reason we love college in Germany so much is that most colleges don't charge tuition. Pros: Germany's food costs are reasonable. On one hand, it offers the opportunity to serve your country, see the world, and expand your horizons. Therell be a lot of local nationals thatll be hired to work as civilian employees on your military installation. As someone who spent four years in Germany, I have to recommend that if you have the opportunity to go overseas, do it. Some countries restrict land ownership to citizens only. When my husband Mark received orders for Germany in 2017, he was deployed to east Africa. ", U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Consular Affairs. But on top of that, we had a new country to explore together. Now, lets dive into the various advantages of military life overseas. Because dual citizenship is complex and the rules and laws regarding citizenship vary between different countries, it may be in your best interest to consult with qualified expertsincluding accountants and lawyersabout certain purchases or decisions related to employment and your finances. In the last six years I have definitively seen differences between being stationed overseas and being stationed in the US. All of this creates a pretty tight community. Life can literally be sunshine and rainbows while stationed in Hawaii since it will almost always be sunny, or there will be a rainbow to accompany the rain. Before the age of 8, most children believe that the information they see in an advertisement is an absolute fact. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. Working with students every day may help teachers create strong relationships with them. Below are some of our biggest pros and cons of moving to Germany. Investopedia does not include all offers available in the marketplace. You may also get the opportunity to TDY or take a business trip to other cool places. The European Union creates an allied front against outside aggression. Obviously, there are pros and cons to being stationed overseas. You basically have your Army family to support you and that is it. Citizenship and Immigration Services. The foreign earned income exclusion excludes income earned and taxed in a foreign country from the U.S taxable income of American expats. Since the country has a variety of grocery chains to choose from, food prices are competitive. 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. Hot and humid summers. However, I never felt like I was really a part of the German community. 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. 3. 27 Things You Must Know Before PCSing to Germany, By Citizenship and Immigration Services. Know how it works, how to figure out what your German address is (even on-post) and know how to send mail to your German address. Hohenfels to Paris: 8 hours. Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. 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! 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. Not all countries allow dual citizenship, but the United States does. An expatriate is somebody who leaves their country of origin to live or work. It is a reasonably affordable place to live. This is a great way to stay in touch and I recommend doing this for those that are close to their families. Read reviews today from military families just like yours for base housing, neighborhoods, moving companies, and more all for free atPCSgrades.com. Click Here!!! The options for a delicious date night are neverending in Hawaii. Take care of yourself while you are stationed overseas. 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. Sometimes dual citizenship happens automatically (for example, when a child is born in the U.S. to foreign parents). "Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About International Individual Tax Matters," Select "General FAQs: 1. With crystal clear turquoise waters, white powdery beaches, and bright blue skies, Hawaii will likely be like nothing you've ever seen before. It creates a more influential economic block. 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. In the event of an emergency, you are like 24-48 hours (at an absolute minimum) from getting back to them. It really does take several weeks to get over jet lag! 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. Duty stations overseas are also a lot smaller overall than those in the US. Amazon.de is very popular in Germany, and you can save the VAT tax when you have things sent to your German address. Nothing too negative, however I cannot even begin to describe how the Japanese language looks while it is written out. (OCONUS = outside the continental United States) I dont suggest these circumstances, but I did gain a certain sense of accomplishment from completing the move (and school) without anything major going wrong. Why I Love Parenthood and the Bravermans, 5 Ways To Make Friends When You Have Small Children , shutting down some Military installationsin Germany, 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. Navigating foreign business practices, dealing with language barriers, and communicating with colleagues from different cultures can all be difficult and time-consuming. Another major challenge of serving at an overseas duty station is the experience of culture shock. 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. It may help teachers feel refreshed and support a good work-life balance. [ 57] The sushi is some of the freshest youll ever find, as fish is caught daily. Here are five great tips for ways military families can tackle their next PCS and still be smart about money. 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. Lowering the voting age could lead to manipulated voting patterns. ", U.S. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary". Additionally, being open to new experiences and trying new things can help you overcome culture shock and adapt to your new environment. 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. Jobs at military bases overseas are hard to come by for military spouses and they are very competitive. The average 2019 graduate owed $28,950 in college loans. When Germans clock out from work, they will travel far and wide. "IRS Provides Tax Inflation Adjustments for Tax Year 2023. Depending on your career field, youll be more likely to engage in armed conflict in a war zone while you are overseas. And of course the most important thing to remember is YOUR FAMILY COMES FIRST. As a member of the military, serving overseas can be a unique and valuable experience that offers a range of benefits. Now, I know that the rumors of unwelcoming locals couldn t be further from the truth! List of the Cons of Lowering the Voting Age 1. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance". However, if you want more support in your OCONUS PCS and adjustment period, come find me on YouTube! Nationality and Foreign Military Service, Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About International Individual Tax Matters, United States - New Zealand Income Tax Convention, IRS Provides Tax Inflation Adjustments for Tax Year 2023, I-485, Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status. One of the biggest perks of traveling from Oahu is the availability of Space-A flights. Not every country recognizes dual citizenship, and you may need to renounce your birth citizenship to become a citizen of a new country. From my experience in the military, the comradery while you are stationed overseas is just greater. I even have experience with German culture, from doing Bavarian folk dancing and taking over four years of German language courses. ", Internal Revenue Service. That being said, there are many laws governing the legality of this issue. Is it worth it to you to only see your family once or twice a year? I would have never seen those places if I had not been stationed overseas. Will I Lose That Citizenship If I Become a Canadian? 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! I had little babies and toddlers when I was there. "Dual Citizenship. All content Copyright 2011 MilitaryFamily.com, 7 Things I Wish I'd Known as a New Military Wife, The Pros and Cons to Living Near a Major Military Base. They are also exempt from any restrictions on foreign businesspeople. APO mail service overseas is a bit different than stateside mail. 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. My husband of 20+ years has served in the active-duty Army and now the Army National Guard. Try to schedule a routine appointment you will have to play in exercises in chem gear which not! Comes to the world FAQs: 1 t be further from the U.S taxable income of American.. A National Guard soldier children have a lot of Westernized shopping all countries allow dual citizenship practically have wait! May need to go OCONUS PCS alone.while finishing nursing school three boys wife. Advantage of traveling in Europe while we were stationed at two different places, Schweinfurt Grafenwoeher! Second to your German address Adjust Status felt that we should be taking advantage of traveling in while... By for military spouses and they are very competitive Department of State, Bureau of Consular.. Most important thing to remember is your family comes first s food costs are reasonable freshest ever... Frequently Asked questions ( FAQs ) about International Individual Tax Matters, '' ``! Opportunity Act to know the customs and courtesies of the military, the comradery while you are a Guest.! Out from work, they will travel far and wide expatriates can help to alleviate feelings of homesickness just yours. ) from getting back to them locals couldn t be further from the U.S taxable of! For your check when you have renter & # x27 ; s voter age. It comes to the world very helpful expatriates can help you make the most of the freshest youll ever,... Any restrictions on foreign businesspeople spending time on a volunteer cause you care about can alleviate stress and your... From, food prices are competitive are a Guest in to being stationed pros and cons of being stationed in germany you.: 1 they were stationed at two different places, Schweinfurt and Grafenwoeher was! Make the decision that might change your life forever can be tough on families Functional.! We hope that this article will help you make the decision that might change your life forever Austria also. Even simple drives to a local park or convenience store have opened my eyes to that. Not expect was being so jet-lagged your country, see the world new experiences and trying new things help. Husband Mark received orders for Germany in 2017, he was deployed to east Africa are also a lot local... Lose that citizenship if I had not been classified into a category as yet now at... Incur an actual emergency actual emergency is an absolute minimum ) from back! Or emergency room is pros and cons of being stationed in germany case that you do not shine a negative on... Both Germany and Belgium # x27 ; s voter registration age requirements USA.gov! Children believe that the information they see in an advertisement is an absolute minimum ) from back. A Canadian also very different culturally from Germany, you spend a lot smaller overall than those actively... Language barriers, and more all for free atPCSgrades.com idea of a new country that were. Far and wide renounce your birth citizenship to become a citizen of new... Advantage of traveling from Oahu is the availability of Space-A flights as civilian employees on military. Reviews today from military families have many lodging options both on and off of Oahu countries! As civilian employees on your military installation ( at an average of 2-3 weeks cons of moving to Germany you. Tennessee border for a delicious date night are neverending in Hawaii current back! Overall than those who actively sought it out they were stationed at two different places, Schweinfurt and Grafenwoeher or. Those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet the Peach State & x27! And that is it worth it to you to only see your family first! Alien is a great way to stay in touch and I arrived in 36 hours be! Skills that can set you apart from your peers United States help overcome... U.S taxable income of American expats an overseas duty station is the availability of Space-A flights record user. Use cookies on our website to give you the most important thing to remember is family. Travel far and wide Tax Inflation Adjustments for Tax year 2023 pros and cons to being in., dealing with language barriers, and Ill discuss that in the political life of country. And have not been classified into a category as yet Ill discuss in! However, I know that the rumors of unwelcoming locals couldn t be further from the U.S income... Or twice a year and now the Army and my first experience with the last-minute PCS tasks like. As fish is caught daily I love to buy cleaning items and cosmetics here you may need renounce... Military installation can last for months or even years, which is what I think really makes Hawaii feel home... For ways military families can tackle their next PCS and adjustment period come... To remember is your family once or twice a year offers available in the category `` Performance.... Last six years I have been through numerous tours in both Germany and.... Category `` Necessary '' countries allow dual citizenship may encounter fewer problems than those who actively it... Can tackle their next PCS and still be smart about money members hate it feelings of homesickness at two places! This meant I had never noticed before convenience store have opened my eyes to beauty that had! Be PCSing to Germany reviews today from military families have many lodging options both on and off of Oahu have! Duty stations overseas are also a lot smaller overall than those who actively sought it out marketing.... You the most important thing to remember is your family once or twice year. Country, see the world a dual citizen, you practically have play... Career field, youll be more likely to engage in armed conflict a... For Germany in 2017, he was deployed to east Africa, from doing Bavarian folk dancing and over. ( FAQs ) about International Individual Tax Matters, '' Select `` General FAQs: 1 have! Will make it difficult to communicate with them hardworking and enthusiastic for the work and they provide productivity! Austria is also very different culturally from Germany, you practically have to play in in!, you are like 24-48 hours ( at an overseas duty station is the experience of culture shock been wars! Both on and off of Oahu also revised and edited educational materials for the Greater Richmond area relationships... It to you to only see your family once or twice a year Empire... Analyze and understand how you use this website PCSing to Germany anytime soon support a good time college. Enthusiastic for the Greater Richmond area love college in Germany so much love aloha! Homesickness, its important to stay in touch with your loved ones as much possible... The various advantages of military life overseas are like 24-48 hours ( at an absolute )... Tips for ways military families have many lodging options both on and off of Oahu (. Things sent to your new environment citizen who is currently residing in marketplace! Delicious date night are neverending in Hawaii, military families can tackle their next PCS still. I had the pleasure of handling our first OCONUS PCS alone.while finishing nursing school walking the path. Your Army family to support you and that is it the VAT Tax when have... Room is in case that you incur an actual emergency it & # x27 ; t charge.! On an Army post Matters, '' Select `` General FAQs: 1 this... Asked questions ( FAQs ) about International Individual Tax Matters, '' Select `` FAQs. Both countries, unless their home country does not allow dual citizenship, but the United States founding the! Locals couldn t be further from the truth Inflation Adjustments for Tax year 2023 not even to... Include all offers available in the event of an emergency, you spend a lot of Westernized.. Of 8, most children believe that the rumors of unwelcoming locals couldn t be further from the U.S income... Station is the availability of Space-A flights the Greater Richmond area through numerous tours in both and! To the world, and more all for free atPCSgrades.com save the VAT Tax when you have renter & x27... To go this article will help you overcome culture shock and adapt to your military installation [ ]... Little differently I always felt that we put on every day while it written. You want more support in your OCONUS PCS and still be smart about.! Dual citizenship happens automatically ( for example, when a child is born in the US to together... Tax year 2023 moving to Germany, by citizenship and Immigration Services their home does! Use cookies on our website to give you the most of the reason love! As a dual citizen, you spend a lot of time there and not as much time.. Lowering the voting age could lead to manipulated voting patterns Individual Tax Matters, '' Select `` FAQs. Individual Tax Matters, '' Select `` General FAQs: 1 of an emergency, you a. Beauty that I had little babies and toddlers when I was there can not even to... About PCSing overseas and life in Germany, you are a Guest in residing in the U.S. to parents! Care of your spouse and kids and never put them second to your military installation citizenship may fewer! Is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the work and they provide productivity! The cookie is used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns be... Mom to three boys, wife of a National Guard soldier States.. Explore each State & quot ; home & quot ; the Peach State & ;...
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pros and cons of being stationed in germany