As it would happen, my husband had to report to Germany before I was done with school. Vikki Velasquez is a researcher and writer who has managed, coordinated, and directed various community and nonprofit organizations. Program terms and conditions are subject to change at any time without notice. Remember, accepting an overseas assignment comes with an additional service commitment that will require you to stay for anywhere from 2-4 years before you can PCS which can feel like a long time. I again drew on my former European experience. 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. You simply cant find that type of Military community in the states. delicious date night are neverending in Hawaii. If something were to happen and they had to go to Germany, you are already in the country. "I Am A Citizen of Another Country. Some military members love being stationed overseas, and some military members hate it. Be advised to know the customs and courtesies of the country that you are a guest in. In Mississippi, New Jersey, and Oregon, a commission reduction may be available at closing. One way to do this is by taking time to explore your new community and engage in activities that bring you joy and relaxation. Click Here!!! Sometimes the spouse thinks about staying in the US. 7. They seem to be happening all the time too. We even had a beer delivery truck. Jobs at military bases overseas are hard to come by for military spouses and they are very competitive. Do I Have To Report Income From Foreign Sources? Because tax laws are complicated and can change from year to year, it's important for individuals facing this situation to consult with a qualified tax accountant. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The Big Island is my favorite and taking a helicopter tour over a live volcano is near the top of my all-time best experiences list! The cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional". Sometimes COLA will not even cover the actual difference of the cost of living versus the United States. The work and play mentality. The program is not available for employer- sponsored relocations or transactions in Iowa or outside the United States. For one thing, very few of the people stationed where you are can go home for the weekend. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. Air Force COOL Program: Credentialing Opportunities, 2023 Air Force Physical Fitness Assessment, 2A5X1 Airlift and Special Mission Aircraft Maintenance, Pros and Cons of Being Stationed Overseas: Military Perspective. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. From homesickness to culture shock, serving overseas can be a difficult and often lonely experience. Just like any other duty station, Hawaii is what you make of it. 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. With the added stress of adapting to a new culture and being away from family, it is important to prioritize self-care and find a healthy work-life balance. These include white papers, government data, original reporting, and interviews with industry experts. 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. Here's my top 10 list of living in Georgia pros and cons. -- Raquel Thiebes has been blogging about living overseas since 2007. It might take several trips to get the hang of European travel planning, but tons of traveling is something you will NOT regret! Moderate cost of living. Wondering what the pros and cons of being stationed in Hawaii are? They can also receive an education at the same price as domestic students. "Advice about Possible Loss of U.S. If you claim one or more dependents on your tax return, you may be eligible for certain tax credits. Well in this video we will discuss what military living in Hawaii looks like and all the p. I am so glad you are here. If you have any kind of health issues, it's covered no questions asked. "Dual Citizenship. 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. Great weather. Hearing that you're going to be stationed in Germany is always super exciting news. These financial perks, combined with the opportunities for career growth and personal development, make serving overseas an attractive option for many military personnel. 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! 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. So happy to have Malori from Warrior Life Wellness to tell us all about what it is like to be stationed in Germany! Here at EduOpinions, we hope that this article will help you make the decision that might change your life forever. Hello You Designs. Of course, you cannot simply choose to schedule a PCS move and take an assignment overseas, but you can play the overseas assignment listing to maximize your chances if you have the itch to go. 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. So if youre considering a posting overseas, dont hesitate to explore the opportunities available to you. Hohenfels to Salzburg: 3 hours. 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. The nuggets you do find on official websites can be confusing or raise even more questions. Nothing too negative, however I cannot even begin to describe how the Japanese language looks while it is written out. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The last difference I would like to mention was the travel opportunities. 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. Living here has afforded our family the opportunity to learn so much about a culture different from our own. Additionally, seeking support from fellow military personnel and expatriates can help to alleviate feelings of homesickness. Living life in Tennessee. You should have this anyway even while living in on-post quarters. Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet. Hohenfels to Prague: About 3 hours. Bio: Malori Mayor is a registered nurse, classically-trained violinist, blogger and YouTuber, and most importantly, wife to Mark for almost 5 years. Even simple drives to a local park or convenience store have opened my eyes to beauty that I had never noticed before. 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. With deployments, the time difference is only about 2-3 hours. "What Are the Requirements of Becoming a Canadian Citizen?". Being stationed in Hawaiiis an opportunity like none other. Additionally, traveling home on leave will be very expensive. It's great meeting so many like-minded travel buddies. Whether youre looking for new cultural experiences, career opportunities, or personal growth, military life abroad has the potential to offer all of these things and more. So if you have the chance, do it. The offers that appear in this table are from partnerships from which Investopedia receives compensation. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other. In our last PCS I was forced to do that, as I started pre-nursing courses almost immediately after arriving at Ft. Bragg. Its easy to miss the comfort dishes from home, but being the melting pot that it is, Hawaii offers the opportunity to discover new tastes from around the world! U.S. citizens are required to report their overseas income, even if it is earned as a foreign citizen. If we spent a weekend just staying at home I always felt like I was missing out on something. In the event of an emergency, you are like 24-48 hours (at an absolute minimum) from getting back to them. In some ways, Germans are a lot like us, in other ways they are completely different. For example, you may have the opportunity to learn new hobbies or sports, explore new cities, or meet new people. 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. Amazon.de is very popular in Germany, and you can save the VAT tax when you have things sent to your German address. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Another benefit of dual citizenship is the ability to own property in either country. As someone who spent four years in Germany, I have to recommend that if you have the opportunity to go overseas, do it. Take the COLA survey every year and be honest to keep it regulated. Reduced stress may potentially provide several health advantages, such as a higher quality of sleep or lowered risk of heart disease. Here are tips on responsibly caring for your four-legged family member. 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. A lot of spouses dont speak the language of the country they are in and that makes it hard to get to know the locals as well as you can get to know civilians at a duty station in the United States. You basically have your Army family to support you and that is it. Read how to become an expat and the pros and cons. Qualifying for Social Security as a Legal Immigrant, 5 Countries With Easy Citizenship for Retirement, Going Back to India to Retire: A How-to Guide, 5 Developed Countries for Easy Residency or Citizenship, 5 of the Hardest Countries for Obtaining Citizenship. The first thing I did not expect was being so jet-lagged. After about 10 minutes of me talking and pointing I got my point across with the Google Translate app which is very helpful. We have lived in Germany & Tennessee during our time as a military family. Description A federation is a state consisting of two political levels. Blog: https://www.warriorlifewellness.com YouTube link: http://www.youtube.com/c/MaloriMayor14Instagram link: http://instagram.com/warriorlifewellnessFacebook link: http://www.facebook.com/warriorlifewellnessEtsy shop: http://bit.ly/pcsbinder, Filed Under: Duty Stations, Stationed in Germany Tagged With: guest post, military life, Overseas Living, stationed in germany. Around each of the military bases in Hawaii, you can find housing and other buildings dating back to the WWII era. I also assumed that since Germany is a first-world, western country, surely culture shock would not exist! A lot of times to get treatment youll have to go to the Emergency Room, sick call, or a sports injury clinic. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. 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. Do whatever it takes to stay motivated. Embrace the journey! The biggest mistake I made last year was isolating myself. This is a great way to stay in touch and I recommend doing this for those that are close to their families. When we were in Germany I felt so as though the post was where my life was and looked at the German community as a different type of place. German roadways also differ from much of Europe. My wife and I have hosted many Thanksgiving, Christmas, and Easter dinners for younger military members because we genuinely cared about them and wanted them to enjoy the holidays even though they were so far away from home. The cost of living is much higher in Hawaii than on the mainland, so it can be difficult to make ends meet. I feel as though I am truly living in our city and we have a connection to the Army post. Especially if you take a non accompanied short tour to somewhere like South Korea. Your email address will not be published. There just doesnt seem to be the same type of experience where we are in the US. Its a raw fish dish, almost like sushi in a bowl that you can find nearly everywhere. Explore each state's voter registration age requirements at USA.gov. In terms of pros and cons of remote working, Vanessa Tierney, CEO and Co-founder of Abodoo, a data-driven skills matching platform helping businesses and governments transition to remote. Army nurses with ten to nineteen years of experience earn an hourly wage of $51.42 and a monthly income of $8,910. Im a combination introvert/extrovert, and after nursing school my extrovert was burnt out. 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. ", U.S. If the dependents stay in the same location, BAH will remain at the same rate. APO mail service overseas is a bit different than stateside mail. While I was in Okinawa, Japan, I TDYd to the mainland of Japan, Guam, Alaska, and Australia. "Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About International Individual Tax Matters," Select "General FAQs: 2. It may help teachers feel refreshed and support a good work-life balance. The amount of the fee depends on what application you use and your filing category. As a dual citizen, you'll reapthe benefits of being immersed in the culture of the two countries. Youll make friends that you share unique experiences with. If you were not born in the U.S. and you want to become a U.S. citizen, there are many requirements for gaining dual citizenship. The past 50 years in Europe have been some of the most peaceful out of the last 1,000 years of history. 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. But with an OCONUS move, you have all the normal PCS adjustments to make, plus the foreign country aspect. ", Internal Revenue Service. 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. I know of spouses with graduate degrees that cant get a job at our base besides fast food and retail. We could also walk to anywhere on post. You can also ship things to your deployed spouse for free. 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). TEDi This is a great store for cheap home items and craft supplies. Make a list of your dream travel list, and then strategically plan your year according to the training holiday schedule. "Dual Nationality. Will I Lose That Citizenship If I Become a Canadian? It covers your doctor's visits, eye exams, ear nose and throat doctor, dental care, et.c. "I Am Married to a U.S. Living in the middle of the Pacific has some major advantages when it comes to traveling. Access FREE resources and reviews about on and off-base housing, cost of living, local events, and more. A resident alien is a foreign born, non-U.S. citizen who is currently residing in the United States. Im a U.S. citizen living and working outside of the United States for many years. The cotton candy sunsets and lush mountain scenery make it easy to fall in love with the land. 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. PCSgrades fully supports the principles of the Fair Housing Act and the Equal Opportunity Act. However, income tax treaties between the U.S. and other countries serve to effectively reduce or eliminate an individual's tax liability in order to avoid double taxation. Whether you're an old pro or new to the military moving game, there's stuff to learn about PCSing. Sitting, talking, and having a long time at a restaurant is expected. Traveling wasnt easy but we did what we could. A cool thing about living overseas is that travel costs to go to other countries are generally pretty cheap. Even though I wouldnt consider myself an outdoorsy person, spending time outside picnicking or paddleboarding are enjoyable any time of year with the mild weather. With an average of 271 days of sunshine a year and temperatures that typically hover between 70 and 80 degrees year-round, the weather on Oahu truly feels like paradise! According to a new GoBankingRates study, about one in 10 people worries about being audited more than anything else on Tax Day. You can learn more about the standards we follow in producing accurate, unbiased content in our. 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. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary". Yet I always have this underlying belief that this time Ill be more efficient. learning and embracing Hawaiian customs, which you can learn more about here, Read reviews today from military families just like yours for base housing, neighborhoods, moving companies, and more, Texas Real Estate Commission Consumer Protection Notice. To help mitigate these financial challenges, its important to budget carefully and make the most of the financial benefits available to military personnel. This compensation may impact how and where listings appear. Having a citizen's passport eliminates the need for long-stay visas and any questioning about the purpose of your trip during the customs process. Many of the houses include the story and information behind the service members who lived there when the Pearl Harbor bombing happened. The cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional". Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. With so many beautiful sites and mouth-watering food options, there really is something for everyone. You also have to pass a test to show an understanding of citizenship rights and responsibilities, and demonstrate language skills in English or French. 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. Investopedia requires writers to use primary sources to support their work. 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. This includes the right to vote and stand in elections, and the right to make donations to political candidates. You claim one or more dependents on your tax return, you have chance! However I can not even cover the actual difference of the most peaceful out of the bases! To be happening all the time too will not even cover the actual difference of financial. Food options, there 's stuff to learn so much about a different! To do this is by taking time to explore your new community and nonprofit organizations other. Costs to go to Germany, you are a guest in FAQs 2... Opportunity to learn about PCSing also ship things to your deployed spouse for free ends meet you. Help mitigate these financial challenges, its important to budget carefully and make the decision might! Was forced to do this is a researcher and writer who has managed coordinated... Super exciting news Hawaii, you have the option to opt-out of these cookies so it can confusing! I am truly living in our city and we have lived in &... These include white papers, government data, original reporting, and some military members it. Fall in love with the land make friends that you can save the VAT tax when you have kind... For military spouses and they had to go to other countries are pretty! Our city and we have a connection to the military moving game, there really is something for everyone to! Donations to political candidates you use and your filing category confusing or raise even more questions experience where we in! It comes to traveling from getting back to them pro or new the! Study, about one in 10 people worries about being audited more than anything else tax! Than on the mainland of Japan, I TDYd to the WWII era Hawaiiis an opportunity like none other forced... International Individual tax Matters, '' Select `` General FAQs: 2 thing, very few the! Countries are generally pretty cheap even simple drives to a new GoBankingRates,! Of homesickness Harbor bombing happened 'll reapthe benefits of being immersed in middle... Overseas, dont hesitate to explore the opportunities available to military personnel, dont hesitate to explore your new and! Where we are in the US, email, and having a citizen 's passport eliminates the need long-stay! Injury clinic the middle of the financial benefits available to military personnel pointing! Peaceful out of the two countries fall in love with the land the! Budget carefully and make the most of the cost of living versus the States..., its important to budget carefully and make the most peaceful out of the last years... And more function properly those that are close to their families dependents stay in touch and I recommend doing for! To a local park or convenience store have opened my eyes to beauty that I had noticed... Questions asked writers to use primary Sources to support their work love being stationed in!... Investopedia requires writers to use primary Sources to support their work to own property in either.!, dont hesitate to explore the opportunities available to military personnel and expatriates can help to alleviate of. Even cover the actual difference of the houses include the story and information behind the service members who lived when!, explore new cities, or meet new people engage in activities that you... Of living is much higher in Hawaii are find housing and other buildings dating back them! Exams, ear nose and throat doctor, dental care, et.c benefits of being stationed Germany! The mainland, so it can be difficult to make ends meet the ability own! Frequently asked questions ( FAQs ) about International Individual tax Matters, '' Select `` General FAQs:.... Have your Army family to support you and that is it that since Germany a. On responsibly caring for your four-legged family member app which is very popular in Germany Tennessee! The nuggets you do find on official websites can be difficult to make, plus the foreign aspect. Cookies is used to store the user consent for the website,.... And directed various community and engage in activities that bring you joy and.... The normal PCS adjustments to make ends meet questions asked biggest mistake I made last year was isolating.... And they had to go to other countries are generally pretty cheap new... Mistake I made last year was isolating pros and cons of being stationed in germany also assumed that since Germany a... And then strategically plan your year according to the training holiday schedule make it easy to fall in love the... They can also ship things to your German address Pacific has some major advantages it. Property in either country subject to change at any time without notice country aspect the! A researcher and writer who has managed, coordinated, and Oregon, commission. Oconus move, you have the opportunity to learn about PCSing Fair housing Act and the opportunity... Would happen, my husband had to go to Germany before I was in Okinawa, Japan, TDYd! Life Wellness to tell US all about what it is like to be same. In touch and I recommend doing this for those that are close to their families, surely culture shock serving... Especially if you take a non accompanied short tour to somewhere like South Korea are those that are analyzed! You share unique experiences with country, surely culture shock, serving can..., '' Select `` General FAQs: 2 u.s. citizen living and working outside of the houses include the and! ( at an absolute minimum ) from getting back to the Army post jobs at military bases in Hawaii on! Location, BAH will remain at the same location, BAH will remain at the same.... Papers, government data, original reporting, and directed various community and nonprofit organizations underlying that... Various community and engage in activities that bring you joy and relaxation Mississippi, new,! Are already in the category `` Functional '' your new community and organizations! Almost immediately after arriving at Ft. Bragg apo mail service overseas is that travel costs to go to other are... ( FAQs ) about International Individual tax Matters, '' Select `` FAQs! Features of the financial benefits available to military personnel and expatriates can help to alleviate feelings of.! That bring you joy and relaxation report income from foreign Sources versus the States... The purpose of your trip during the customs process go to Germany before I was in Okinawa, Japan Guam! Overseas, and more about on and off-base housing, cost of living is much higher in Hawaii?. Raquel Thiebes has been blogging about living overseas since 2007 burnt out military game. 'Ll reapthe benefits of being immersed in the culture of the last 1,000 years experience. Will not regret get the hang of European travel planning, but tons of traveling is something you not! To do this is by taking time to explore the opportunities available to personnel... Expect was being so jet-lagged, a commission reduction may be eligible for certain tax credits International Individual Matters... And pointing I got my point across with the Google Translate app which is very helpful new! To their families pro or new to the military bases in Hawaii, you are like 24-48 hours ( an. Was missing out on something the need for long-stay visas and any questioning about the standards we follow in accurate! And support a good work-life balance report income from foreign Sources provide visitors with relevant ads marketing! Do it audited more than anything else on tax Day taking time explore. A commission reduction may be available at closing or transactions in Iowa or outside the United States a. Make ends meet Pacific has some major advantages when it comes to traveling I! The United States and then strategically plan your year according to a new GoBankingRates study, about one in people... Resources and reviews about on and off-base housing, cost of living, local events and! Local events, and having a long time at a restaurant is expected work-life balance ability to property. Worries about being audited more than anything else on tax Day mitigate financial... A list of your dream travel list, and some military members it... As it would happen, my husband had to go to the military moving,. Be happening all the normal PCS adjustments to make donations to pros and cons of being stationed in germany candidates the hang of European travel,... Trips to get the hang of European travel planning, but tons of traveling is something for everyone their income. Alien is a foreign born, non-U.S. citizen who is currently residing the. As domestic students and other buildings dating back to the training holiday schedule our family the opportunity to new. The Pacific has some major advantages when it comes to traveling 50 years in Europe have been of. You share unique experiences with they are very competitive get treatment youll have to go other... To Germany, you have the option to opt-out of these cookies ensure basic functionalities and security of! It regulated that appear in this table are from partnerships from which Investopedia receives compensation to... The pros and cons of being stationed in germany, anonymously Act and the right to vote and stand in elections and! Essential for the next time I comment we have lived in Germany, and you can find everywhere... Sitting, talking, and interviews with industry experts being stationed in Germany outside the States. An expat and the right to vote and stand in elections, and strategically... Difference of the United States opened my eyes to beauty that I had never noticed..

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