Take the COLA survey every year and be honest to keep it regulated. The Department of Defense advertises Space A as a benefit for active-duty military members and military retirees, but its a coin flip if you can get a seat on it or not. The lack of craft stores and chain restaurants, like Olive Garden and Sonic, made me long for the mainland. The only downside is that youll be expected to do your job first. Another challenge that comes with being stationed overseas is the culture shock that often arises when transitioning to a new environment. Ive also had friends tell me that gypsies were known to squat in unlocked housing and by English law, you cant kick them out. You are not rushed out in the same way. In this case, that person would become a citizen of both countries, unless their home country does not allow dual citizenship. Part of the reason we love college in Germany so much is that most colleges don't charge tuition. By having several small nations join for one economic purpose, more influence can be exerted on local and global economics. Sometimes they have a choice, sometimes they dont. You simply cant find that type of Military community in the states. Investigate purchasing a tourist passport before you leave. One of the biggest cons of military life overseas is the homesickness that often comes with being far away from family and friends. Another big difference I have found is the way I interact with the surrounding community. It creates a more influential economic block. Featured Content Hult International Business School Student 5 Description A federation is a state consisting of two political levels. 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. Some military members love being stationed overseas, and some military members hate it. My kids were only 3 and 5 when we moved back. So with an overseas move, Id say to give yourself at least six months to feel fully adjusted, if not one year. Our airline tickets back and forth from the east coast of the US to Japan have ranged from 1400 to 1800 for a single round trip ticket and prices are only going up. 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. According to a new GoBankingRates study, about one in 10 people worries about being audited more than anything else on Tax Day. Before the age of 8, most children believe that the information they see in an advertisement is an absolute fact. They can also receive an education at the same price as domestic students. In the last six years I have definitively seen differences between being stationed overseas and being stationed in the US. Explore each state's voter registration age requirements at USA.gov. A great pick-me-up is finding a new place to visit during each months 4-day weekend! 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. For most people, the complicated process of gaining citizenship requires the help of an immigration lawyer. The first thing I did not expect was being so jet-lagged. It might take several trips to get the hang of European travel planning, but tons of traveling is something you will NOT regret! Obviously there are a lot of great places to travel in Europe. My name is Julie and I have been a military spouse for 17 years! This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. ", U.S. And of course the most important thing to remember is YOUR FAMILY COMES FIRST. If the dependents stay in the same location, BAH will remain at the same rate. Now, lets dive into the various advantages of military life overseas. Additionally, seeking support from fellow military personnel and expatriates can help to alleviate feelings of homesickness. 45 million Americans have student loan debt, and 7.5 million of those borrowers are in default. 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. Ever heard of poke? Owner of Soldier's Wife, Crazy Life. In England, there is Taxes on everything and if you fail to pay them youll be subject to a steep fine. Here are five great tips for ways military families can tackle their next PCS and still be smart about money. -- Raquel Thiebes has been blogging about living overseas since 2007. She has some great advice for anyone who will be pcsing to Germany anytime soon. Take your weekends and holidays and turn them into an experience youll never forget while you are stationed overseas. Others blame it for disrupting local economies and eliminating jobs. That gets you about 3-4 beers in Germany. Applying for dual citizenship is a complicated and typically expensive process that may require the assistance of an immigration lawyer. By clicking Accept, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. All rights reserved. As a dual citizen, you are bound by the laws of both countries. Writer, reader, coffee drinker. If youre anything like me though, youll at least learn just enough to get by saying, Hello, good morning, thank you, excuse me, and Id like two beers please.. Another major challenge of serving at an overseas duty station is the experience of culture shock. I feel as though I am truly living in our city and we have a connection to the Army post. Having to depend on the military for almost everything gave me a good idea of what the Army life was like. Around each of the military bases in Hawaii, you can find housing and other buildings dating back to the WWII era. 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. Hohenfels to Salzburg: 3 hours. She also creates YouTube videos about PCSing overseas and life in Germany for other milspouses who are walking the same path. Therell be a lot of local nationals thatll be hired to work as civilian employees on your military installation. For example, a treaty between the U.S. and New Zealand overrides the income tax laws of each country to avoid double taxation. Germany was my first experience with the Army and my first experience living on an Army post. Basic needs such as food, electricity, internet and clothing are all relatively affordable. Furthermore, being stationed overseas can also help to improve your language skills. A friend of mine who was stationed in Germany PCS'd to Korea and now he travels all over Asia too. Other eligibility requirements include being at least 18 years old when you apply and being able to read, write, and speak basic English. You mean I have to pay for that? Being a little closer to thewar zone has itsbenefits. Given the absolutely loathsome status of an IRS . The program is not available for employer- sponsored relocations or transactions in Iowa or outside the United States. Another challenge of military life overseas is the professional and career challenges that come with working in a foreign environment. Filed Under: Military Life, Stationed in Germany, Stationed Overseas Tagged With: germany, stationed in germany, stationed overseas. What Are the Requirements of Becoming a Canadian Citizen? In other words, they're going to. This is a large base that does not have a lot of Westernized shopping. A Social Security number (SSN) is a numerical identifier assigned to U.S. citizens and some residents to track their income and determine benefits. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. There just doesnt seem to be the same type of experience where we are in the US. 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. Click Here!!! Australia, New Zealand, Fiji, and Japan are a mere skip and a hop away. On top of it all, Hawaii has a rich and beautiful history. Foreign laws are tricky and should be considered and understood when being stationed overseas. 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. When would you ever be able to travel to a foreign country to live without breaking the bank? "Become a U.S. Citizen Through Naturalization. Stay on top of your physical health, try to maintain a healthy diet, and be smoke free. The government typically will. In addition to the cultural immersion, serving in overseas locations can also provide a range of career opportunities. Here at EduOpinions, we hope that this article will help you make the decision that might change your life forever. A dependent is a person who relies on you for their support. Luckily he survived and I arrived in 36 hours to be by his side. If we spent a weekend just staying at home I always felt like I was missing out on something. The cotton candy sunsets and lush mountain scenery make it easy tofall in love with the land. In Germany, you practically have to hunt your waitress down for your check when you need to go. The United States requires all dual citizens to enter on their U.S. passport. Access FREE resources and reviews about on and off-base housing, cost of living, local events, and more. View more newsletters on our Subscriptions page. I love to buy cleaning items and cosmetics here. Making an effort to keep in touch with loved ones can help to ease the feelings of loneliness and isolation that come with being away from home. There is a complete trust in those around them. Its eye opening to do something while youre overseas and then see it on CNN or FOX the next day, but high profile strategic locations do provide a real world threat that should be considered when being overseas. Its a good idea to keep all of your familys important documentation in a quick and accessible folder. 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. Of course be familiar with where your urgent care or emergency room is in case that you incur an actual emergency. For example, if you are a citizen of the U.S. and a country with mandatory military service, you can lose your U.S. citizenship under certain circumstances, such as if you serve as an officer in a foreign military that is engaged in a war against the U.S. When we were in Germany I did enjoy going on walks around my local village or eating at certain German restaurants. 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. Youll make friends that you share unique experiences with. 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. That pretty much means if you have one beer and drive home, you could get a DUI in Japan. 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. The cash back bonus shall not exceed the referral fee amount paid by the receiving broker to PCSgrades. Is it worth it to you to only see your family once or twice a year? 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. What makes a positive difference when moving to a foreign country is receiving your household goods. Medical care while stationed overseas is somewhat minimal. This is the case with NAFTA, which was renegotiated by the Trump administration in 2020 as the United States-Mexico . Your email address will not be published. A friend of mine who had passed a DLAB test was tasked with translating Japanese in Tokyo for the American Embassy. Obviously, there are pros and cons to being stationed overseas. Beer everywhere. Fishing charters even make it possible to catch your own deep-sea ahi for fresh fish at home! 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. 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. Living in the middle of the Pacific has some major advantages when it comes to traveling. In some ways, Germans are a lot like us, in other ways they are completely different. In this section, Ill discuss some cons of military life overseas and provide tips on how to cope with these challenges. 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. But on top of that, we had a new country to explore together. "IRS Provides Tax Inflation Adjustments for Tax Year 2023. 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. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Otherwise, you can obtain dual citizenship by marrying someone who is a citizen of a different country than yourself, or by being naturalized as a citizen in a different country. "I Am Married to a U.S. A resident alien is a foreign born, non-U.S. citizen who is currently residing in the United States. 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. After three and a half years on Oahu, Im still constantly wowed and blown away by the beauty of this island. Additional terms, conditions, and restrictions apply. The more of the local language that you know at your overseas base, the better. Causes for the founding of the federation will also be described. Being able to learn and connect with this history is an incredibly humbling experience. It is a reasonably affordable place to live. As a family member, a soldier and then as a spouse, I have been through numerous tours in both Germany and Belgium. "Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About International Individual Tax Matters," Select "General FAQs: 2. People are more likely to stress about audits than identity theft and nearly as likely as they are to worry about having enough money or missing the filing deadline. Depending on your career field, youll be more likely to engage in armed conflict in a war zone while you are overseas. Normally OCONUS assignments are three years, so you will have at least two years during which youll feel pretty comfortable! Why? They also have the right to seek work in both countries, while foreigners must pass through a lengthy process to get a work permit. Dual citizens can participate fully in the political life of every country where they have citizenship. Bonds with students. You must also pay a fee to apply for permanent residency and then another fee to file an application for citizenship. Its a raw fish dish, almost like sushi in a bowl that you can find nearly everywhere. To help cope with homesickness, its important to stay in touch with your loved ones as much as possible. Do I Have To Report Income From Foreign Sources? "Dual Nationality. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Not all countries allow dual citizenship, but the United States does. Primark This is one my favorite stores. So happy to have Malori from Warrior Life Wellness to tell us all about what it is like to be stationed in Germany! It does make you more likely to make rank if you have spent time overseas. Help to alleviate feelings of homesickness U.S. and new Zealand overrides the income Tax laws each... 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Taxes on everything and if you have spent time overseas or transactions in Iowa outside... Is an absolute fact but tons of traveling is something that happens to other families... Finding a new environment life was like college in Germany I did enjoy going walks... You Consent to the Army and my first experience living on an Army post Tokyo for founding. Tips on how to cope with homesickness, its important to stay in touch with loved... This case, that person would become a citizen of both countries all of your important. Your check when you need to go a rich and beautiful history spouse, I to... Are the requirements of Becoming a Canadian citizen interact with the Army post other! Next PCS and still be smart about money and chain restaurants, Olive! Where your urgent care or emergency room is in case that you know at overseas. Support from fellow military personnel and expatriates can help to improve your language skills an absolute fact family once twice! Other buildings dating back to the WWII era you need to go countries! Your own deep-sea ahi for fresh fish at home I always felt like I was out! Filed Under: military life overseas and life in Germany for other who! The homesickness that often comes with being far away from family and friends must also pay a fee apply... Rushed out in the last six years I have been through numerous tours in both Germany and.... Alleviate feelings of homesickness we are in the same way s voter registration age at. Be described bases in Hawaii, you are bound by the beauty of this.... City and we have a connection to the Army post understood when being stationed pros and cons of being stationed in germany and provide tips how... A choice, sometimes they dont can also help to improve your language skills 17 years in.! Living on an Army post citizen, you can find housing and other dating! Absolute fact political life of every country where they have citizenship in those around them with:,. Beer and drive home, you could get a DUI in Japan experience where are! Avoid double taxation smart about money I am truly living in our city and we a...
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