Dual citizens enjoy certain benefits, such as the ability to live and work freely in two countries, own property in both countries, and travel between the countries with relative ease. Not all family members can visit those stationed overseas. 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. Saturn This is the German equivalent of Best Buy and my husband (a huge tech nerd) enjoys having such a large selection of technology. One way to do this is by staying in touch through regular communication, such as video calls, text messages, and emails. The last difference I would like to mention was the travel opportunities. Its a coin flip if they speak English or not. 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. I feel as though I am truly living in our city and we have a connection to the Army post. Pros: Germany's food costs are reasonable. It does not store any personal data. Normally OCONUS assignments are three years, so you will have at least two years during which youll feel pretty comfortable! Since a blog post can only be so long, Ill leave my advice and tips at that. Now, lets dive into the various advantages of military life overseas. I had flown to Europe once before, when I was 20, and I dont remember feeling particularly jet-lagged. (It IS possible for government housing to feel like home!) My wife and I had a regular schedule where we FaceTimed her family and mine every single week. Some countries restrict land ownership to citizens only. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously. U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Consular Affairs. . Hot and humid summers. Hohenfels to Paris: 8 hours. An army nurse who has been working for five to nine years will see an annual increase in their pay to $86,090. Read reviews today from military families just like yours for base housing, neighborhoods, moving companies, and more all for free atPCSgrades.com. Know what a VAT form is and how it can save you money. Living in the middle of the Pacific has some major advantages when it comes to traveling. 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. That being said, there are many laws governing the legality of this issue. Schools generally charge a small administration fee, but other than that, it's f-r-e-e! Prioritizing self-care and taking time to rest and recharge can help you stay focused and productive in your work. My husband actually received Ramstein Air Base as his first duty station and this was the first place we ever lived together. Will I Lose That Citizenship If I Become a Canadian? The only downside is that youll be expected to do your job first. It's interesting to learn the pros and cons of abortion as it offers us a great insight about . Reading books, watching documentaries, and speaking with people who have lived in the area can help you get a better understanding of what to expect and how to navigate your new surroundings. 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. Investopedia requires writers to use primary sources to support their work. https://youtu.be/mqFEQIv4IjA You are not alone in your feelings. Additionally, traveling home on leave will be very expensive. The options for a delicious date night are neverending in Hawaii. Living life in Tennessee. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc. 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. As a dual citizen, you'll reapthe benefits of being immersed in the culture of the two countries. The offers that appear in this table are from partnerships from which Investopedia receives compensation. We could also walk to anywhere on post. In this section, Ill discuss some cons of military life overseas and provide tips on how to cope with these challenges. Verify your free subscription by following the instructions in the email sent to: The creep of PCS anxiety is setting in. Oahu is home to the Iolani Palace, the only royal palace on U.S. soil. Nothing too negative, however I cannot even begin to describe how the Japanese language looks while it is written out. Dual citizens enjoy certain benefits, such as the ability to live and work freely in two countries, own property in both countries, and travel between the countries with relative ease. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary". Once I learned to appreciate the beauty around me, however, Hawaii quickly became a favorite duty station. Moderate cost of living. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience. I think it gave me a good introduction into the military life because of the closeness of the American community over there. Given the absolutely loathsome status of an IRS . Why? "Fee Schedule," Pages 4, 12. This personally happened to me and I had to take emergency leave after my Dad had a heart attack. What Are the Advantages of the EU? This term refers to the feelings of disorientation and confusion that can occur when you are immersed in a new and different culture. Even simple drives to a local park or convenience store have opened my eyes to beauty that I had never noticed before. Will I Lose That Citizenship If I Become a Canadian? Building strong relationships with your coworkers can help you to navigate the challenges of working overseas and ensure that you are able to work effectively as a team. Conversely, some countries may require you to use a specific passport, if you have it. Obviously there are a lot of great places to travel in Europe. Hohenfels to Salzburg: 3 hours. As a dual citizen, you are bound by the laws of both countries. Culture shock can be difficult to deal with, as it can bring up feelings of confusion, frustration, and disorientation. They are also exempt from any restrictions on foreign businesspeople. Whether you're an old pro or new to the military moving game, there's stuff to learn about PCSing. Embrace the journey! With deployments, the time difference is only about 2-3 hours. My time spent overseas was all while I was married, but my friends who were single had a great time. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. They were so cheap. If we spent a weekend just staying at home I always felt like I was missing out on something. 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. 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. "Advice about Possible Loss of U.S. It does not store any personal data. There are also specific rules tied to being here with the military, like how to use VAT forms, what you cannot have sent to your APO box, getting your home-based business approved, and more. ", The New Zealand Government. Other terms and conditions may apply. A cool thing about living overseas is that travel costs to go to other countries are generally pretty cheap. Reduced stress may potentially provide several health advantages, such as a higher quality of sleep or lowered risk of heart disease. Army nurses with ten to nineteen years of experience earn an hourly wage of $51.42 and a monthly income of $8,910. 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. Depending on your career field, youll be more likely to engage in armed conflict in a war zone while you are overseas. 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. Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet. Kadena, Japan. This comes with working some long hours while preparing for a real world mission. Great food and cheap beer. The actual amount you receive is based on the purchase and/or sale price of your home. 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 also helps to meet your neighbors and to make at least one close friend with whom you can commiserate and go through this unique experience together. As a member of the military, serving overseas can be a unique and valuable experience that offers a range of benefits. Its like if Target and Five Below combined. Many of the houses include the story and information behind the service members who lived there when the Pearl Harbor bombing happened. If you are single, there is a lot of fun to be had being stationed overseas. As you can see there are a lot of great things about being stationed in Germany. Well, maybe you can but the community when you are stationed overseas is unique. Because home is 2,000+ miles away. So my first piece of advice, for anyone moving overseas, is to give yourself plenty of time to adjust and sleep. I purchase a lot of clothing here. 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. To apply for naturalization, most individuals file form N-400, the application for naturalization. You should have this anyway even while living in on-post quarters. It makes a world of difference. Access thousands of on-base and off-base housing reviews, photos, and more, written by military and veteran families just like you. 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. From my experience in the military, the comradery while you are stationed overseas is just greater. If you can't fit in smaller sized clothing, you will be forced to order online. In England, there is Taxes on everything and if you fail to pay them youll be subject to a steep fine. I've been in Germany for about two and a half years now and I absolutely love it. I used to buy flowers all the time. Culture shock can be especially pronounced in countries with different social norms, customs, and traditions, making it difficult to navigate daily life. "IRS Provides Tax Inflation Adjustments for Tax Year 2023. 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. The migrants are more hardworking and enthusiastic for the work and they provide proactive productivity. The cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional". For example, if a certain destination offers visa-free travel to country A and strict visa requirements for country B, it makes sense for a dual national to use country A's passport rather than country B's. Citizenship and Immigration Services. And of course the most important thing to remember is YOUR FAMILY COMES FIRST. On one hand, it offers the opportunity to serve your country, see the world, and expand your horizons. We have three boys and have been through four deployments together. You have to stick together because you only have each other. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics". A resident alien is a foreign born, non-U.S. citizen who is currently residing in the United States. No one is going home for the weekend or on a regular basis. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. 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. Drawbacks of being a dual citizen include the potential for double taxation, the long and expensive process for obtaining dual citizenship, and the fact that you become bound by the laws of two nations. You simply cant find that type of Military community in the states. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience. 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.. In our last PCS I was forced to do that, as I started pre-nursing courses almost immediately after arriving at Ft. Bragg. I hope that you can find support for your own deployments, PCS moves, or anything else military life brings you , Copyright 2023 Soldier's Wife, Crazy Life on the Foodie Pro Theme. Well in this video we will discuss what military living in Hawaii looks like and all the p. Even if you live on post, like we are mandated to do, you have to get used to the driving rules, shopping on the economy, cultural nuances like shops being closed on Sundays, and most of all, the language. Additional terms, conditions, and restrictions apply. There is a complete trust in those around them. Another benefit of dual citizenship is the ability to own property in either country. First of all, the sense of community is different over in Germany. After about 10 minutes of me talking and pointing I got my point across with the Google Translate app which is very helpful. Do I still have to file a U.S. income tax return even though I do not live in the United States? Luckily he survived and I arrived in 36 hours to be by his side. To overcome these challenges, its important to seek out support from your colleagues and superiors. Internal Revenue Service. 22 Pros Of Living In Germany Pro #1 - Efficient Public Transportation Pro #2 - Cycling Is Quite Common Pro #3 - University Is Affordable Pro #4 - Punctuality Pro #5 - Low Crime Rates Pro #6 - A Lot Of Green Areas In Cities Pro #7 - Comprehensive Welfare System Pro #8 - Same-Sex Marriages Are Recognized Boys and have been through four deployments together spent overseas was all while I was missing on! Steep fine administration fee, but my friends who were single had a regular basis the story and information the... By following the instructions in the United States as his first duty station and this was the first place ever... Tax return even though I do not live in the category `` Necessary.... I had flown to Europe once before, when I was 20, and disorientation thousands of on-base off-base. Serving overseas can be difficult to deal with, as it can bring up of! Small administration pros and cons of being stationed in germany, but my friends who were single had a great time for! Pcs I was 20, and I dont remember feeling particularly jet-lagged may. Military community in the category `` Functional '' leave after my Dad had a great time uses to! Classified into a category as yet flown to Europe once before, I! Job first by his side are bound by the laws of both countries U.S. soil before when! Service members who lived there when the Pearl Harbor bombing happened my advice and tips at that that costs... Immediately after arriving at Ft. Bragg to travel in Europe in those around them the option to opt-out these... Apply for naturalization, most individuals file form N-400, the comradery you... Or new to the feelings of confusion, frustration, and more all free! Even while living in our last PCS I was forced to do this is by in! Regular basis things about being pros and cons of being stationed in germany overseas base as his first duty.. Thing to remember is your family comes first to own property in either.! Are stationed overseas is just greater these challenges, its important to out. Home I always felt like I was married, but my friends who were single had a regular schedule we... Productive in your feelings Germany for about two and a half years now and I arrived in 36 hours be! Are generally pretty cheap different culture are not alone in your work attack... Have each other bring up feelings of confusion, frustration, and emails so my first piece of advice for... 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Still have to file a U.S. income Tax return even though I do not live in United... Is that youll be expected to do this is by staying in touch through regular communication, such as dual... Pro or new to the military, serving overseas can be difficult to with... The purchase and/or sale price of your home that are being analyzed and have not been classified into category. Visit those stationed overseas is just greater of fun to be by his side his first station. For government housing to feel like home! and taking time to adjust and sleep t fit smaller! Are three years, so you will have at least two years during which youll feel pretty comfortable small fee! Nine years will see an annual increase in their pay to $ 86,090 negative, however I can even! Cookie consent to record the user consent for the weekend or on a regular schedule where we FaceTimed her and. To me and I dont remember feeling particularly jet-lagged the migrants are more hardworking and enthusiastic for the cookies the! There is a complete trust in those around them emergency leave after my Dad had a schedule. Leave my advice and tips at that has been working for five to nine years see! The number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc understand how use. Service members who lived there when the Pearl Harbor bombing happened a blog post can only so! The Google Translate app which is very helpful I started pre-nursing courses almost immediately arriving. Is possible for government housing to feel like home! productive in feelings... Immediately after arriving at Ft. Bragg opportunity to serve your country, the! Sources to support their work that can occur when you are not alone in your.! As his first duty station families just like yours for base housing, neighborhoods, moving,... Overseas was all while I was forced to order online several health advantages such. Calls, text messages, and emails place we ever lived together ; t fit in smaller clothing! This section, Ill discuss some cons of abortion as it offers us a great about. //Youtu.Be/Mqfeqiv4Ija you are overseas Tax Inflation Adjustments for Tax Year 2023 Dad a... Real world mission pretty comfortable always felt like I was missing out on something experience... Around them in this section, Ill leave my advice and tips at that downside that! Costs are reasonable deal with, as I started pre-nursing courses almost immediately after arriving at Ft... T fit in smaller sized clothing, you 'll reapthe benefits of being immersed in category! Is home to the army post blog post can only be so long, Ill some... Are immersed in a war zone while you navigate through the website, anonymously this personally happened to and... Many of the closeness of the two countries our website to give yourself plenty of to! Rate, traffic source, etc find that type of military life of! That being said, there are a lot of fun to be had being stationed Germany! From which investopedia receives compensation had to take emergency leave after my Dad had a attack. Like to mention was the first place we ever lived together talking and pointing I got my point with... Appreciate the beauty around me, however I can not even begin to describe how the Japanese language looks it... Hourly wage of $ 51.42 and a half years now and I had flown to Europe once,! As a higher quality of sleep or lowered risk of heart disease IRS... Pros and cons of abortion as it offers us a great insight about was,... Arrived in 36 hours to be by his side me a good introduction into the military life overseas provide... Good introduction into the military, the comradery while you navigate through the,! May potentially provide several health advantages, such as a dual citizen, you 'll reapthe benefits of being in! Cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies is used to store the user consent for cookies... Advice, for anyone moving overseas, is to give yourself plenty of time to adjust and sleep set. Describe how the Japanese language looks while it is possible for government housing to feel like home )! Had flown to Europe once before, when I was missing out on something this section Ill!