Living in Hawaii is the chance to make close friendships perhaps even closer than the friendships made at CONUS duty stations.. That gets you about 3-4 beers in Germany. Unless the parents are foreign diplomats, the child generally becomes a citizen of the U.S., in addition to any citizenship they inherit from their parents. 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! You don't have to try to calculate if you can afford the co-pay. As someone who spent four years in Germany, I have to recommend that if you have the opportunity to go overseas, do it. You have to stick together because you only have each other. Access thousands of on-base and off-base housing reviews, photos, and more, written by military and veteran families just like you. The offers that appear in this table are from partnerships from which Investopedia receives compensation. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Living life in Tennessee. Read reviews today from military families just like yours for base housing, neighborhoods, moving companies, and more all for free atPCSgrades.com. The more of the local language that you know at your overseas base, the better. Even with sleeping 10-12 hours a night at first, I couldnt conjure up my normal energy. We have three boys and have been through four deployments together. I've been in Germany for about two and a half years now and I absolutely love it. Furthermore, being stationed overseas can also help to improve your language skills. 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. Here are five great tips for ways military families can tackle their next PCS and still be smart about money. And of course the most important thing to remember is YOUR FAMILY COMES FIRST. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics". First of all, the sense of community is different over in Germany. To help mitigate these financial challenges, its important to budget carefully and make the most of the financial benefits available to military personnel. As a dual citizen, you are allowed to carry passports from both countries. "Dual Nationality. Having just a few hours difference made life a lot easier. July 5, 2021 by Megan Voegele Leave a Comment. It's interesting to learn the pros and cons of abortion as it offers us a great insight about . Become healthier. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously. I love to travel but it can be hard to do on a limited budget with small children. Being stationed in Germany was an experience I will always be thankful for. Program terms and conditions are subject to change at any time without notice. Some people save throughout their entire lifetime to be able to spend just a week in the islands. Why? On it she shares her take on health, wellness, and life in Germany. What Are the Requirements of Becoming a Canadian Citizen? You may build a network of friends all around the world if you are outgoing and enjoy meeting new people. 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. To overcome these challenges, its important to seek out support from your colleagues and superiors. I am so glad you are here. Spending time on a volunteer cause you care about can alleviate stress and improve your quality of life. It does not store any personal data. Take the COLA survey every year and be honest to keep it regulated. Jobs at military bases overseas are hard to come by for military spouses and they are very competitive. Description A federation is a state consisting of two political levels. I guess it is because I know I will be in the United States for the rest of my life and I knew my time in Europe would be over someday. One of the biggest challenges of serving overseas is the difficulty of being away from loved ones. Whether you're an old pro or new to the military moving game, there's stuff to learn about PCSing. In this article, Ill discuss the pros and cons of military life overseas and provide my personal tips for balancing them. U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Consular Affairs. Do I still need to file a U.S. tax return?". Especially if you take a non accompanied short tour to somewhere like South Korea. It felt as though it was always their town and it wasnt mine. We did travel when we could and left Germany feeling like we did get to see a lot of different unique places. Balancing work and life can be challenging in any situation, but it can be especially difficult when stationed overseas. It might take several trips to get the hang of European travel planning, but tons of traveling is something you will NOT regret! This personally happened to me and I had to take emergency leave after my Dad had a heart attack. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Jean Folger has 15+ years of experience as a financial writer covering real estate, investing, active trading, the economy, and retirement planning. It does make you more likely to make rank if you have spent time overseas. You get used to it after a while. Before the age of 8, most children believe that the information they see in an advertisement is an absolute fact. The work and play mentality. You will be glad you did. ", Government of Canada. Internal Revenue Service. Pro: Free tuition Let's start with the biggest pro. So he did the geo-bachelor life for about three months. According to a new GoBankingRates study, about one in 10 people worries about being audited more than anything else on Tax Day. "Dual Citizenship. However, I never felt like I was really a part of the German community. Also known as "The Peach State". "I Am A Citizen of Another Country. I love to buy cleaning items and cosmetics here. Many of the houses include the story and information behind the service members who lived there when the Pearl Harbor bombing happened. Conversely, some countries may require you to use a specific passport, if you have it. We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. delicious date night are neverending in Hawaii. The cotton candy sunsets and lush mountain scenery make it easy to fall in love with the land. They have cut you off from hundreds of millions of potential customers in the US. That likely cost them a pretty penny. Ah, Hawaii the land of perpetual sunshine and rainbows! We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. This compensation may impact how and where listings appear. The foreign earned income exclusion excludes income earned and taxed in a foreign country from the U.S taxable income of American expats. Additionally, traveling home on leave will be very expensive. ", U.S. The research indicates when a young adult feels unjustly targeted, they will resist the implied injustice and act to regain control, meaning they will not comply. 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. I had little babies and toddlers when I was there. Best Air Force Bases Overseas. 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. To apply for permanent residency, most individuals file form 1-485, Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status. Dont beat yourself up when you feel homesick or are totally frustrated. Hohenfels to Regensburg: 40 Minutes. Youll make friends that you share unique experiences with. 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. The cotton candy sunsets and lush mountain scenery make it easy tofall in love with the land. 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). Not every country recognizes dual citizenship, and you may need to renounce your birth citizenship to become a citizen of a new country. We have lived in Germany & Tennessee during our time as a military family. A beautiful and varied landscape. It took me a while to settle in after our PCS to Hawaii because the cost of living was so high and we were so far away from family. 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. To overcome culture shock, its important to do your research before you move overseas. [ 57] Make a list of your dream travel list, and then strategically plan your year according to the training holiday schedule. 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. Those born into dual citizenship may encounter fewer problems than those who actively sought it out. My kids go to school off-post, our doctors are off post and we have friends who are not associated with the military. Duty stations overseas are also a lot smaller overall than those in the US. You are not rushed out in the same way. A Social Security number (SSN) is a numerical identifier assigned to U.S. citizens and some residents to track their income and determine benefits. 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 festivals areso much fun and are a great way to spend an afternoon or evening. Productive economy. Better average education levels Free college education may lower the wage gap Lower unemployment rates Higher average salaries Overall GDP may increase Higher tax revenue Can be regarded to increase fairness levels Social benefits from better education Pressure on students may decrease Students would be better able to focus on their studies She recently PCSed with her family from Germany to Belgium and back again. 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. 6. Its a coin flip if they speak English or not. The obligation to serve if asked was an accepted feature of life . The simple answer is, yes; your service member will still receive BAH for their family when they go unaccompanied. Culture shock can be difficult to deal with, as it can bring up feelings of confusion, frustration, and disorientation. Hohenfels to Paris: 8 hours. Some countries also offer citizenship based on ancestry. I know of spouses with graduate degrees that cant get a job at our base besides fast food and retail. To help cope with homesickness, its important to stay in touch with your loved ones as much as possible. 988 Likes, 123 Comments - Interesting Engineering (@interestingengineering) on Instagram: "As more and more states in the U.S. decriminalize non-medical marijuana use, the pros and cons of" 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. If you can't fit in smaller sized clothing, you will be forced to order online. Well in this video we will discuss what military living in Hawaii looks like and all the p. Germany was my first experience with the Army and my first experience living on an Army post. Writer, reader, coffee drinker. (Austria is also very different culturally from Germany, despite both being German-speaking countries.) The cash back bonus is not available in Alaska, Kansas, Oklahoma and Tennessee. For example, if you are a U.S. citizen and also a citizen of New Zealand, you can travel more easily between these two countries. Access FREE resources and reviews about on and off-base housing, cost of living, local events, and more. Learn everything you need to know here. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc. Bonds with students. From my experience in the military, the comradery while you are stationed overseas is just greater. But 12 years later? Another thing I did not expect was experiencing culture shock. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads. For one thing, very few of the people stationed where you are can go home for the weekend. Yet I always have this underlying belief that this time Ill be more efficient. Some military members love being stationed overseas, and some military members hate it. From cultural immersion to career opportunities, serving abroad has the potential to be an incredibly enriching experience. What Are the Advantages of the EU? A military draft requires people of a certain age to serve in the armed forces even if they don't want to do so. 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.. "Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About International Individual Tax Matters," Select "General FAQs: 2. 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. Welcome to Soldiers Wife, Crazy Life! Filed Under: Military Life, Stationed in Germany, Stationed Overseas Tagged With: germany, stationed in germany, stationed overseas. Take your weekends and holidays and turn them into an experience youll never forget while you are stationed overseas. Thisll be especially true in locations in Southwest Asia, but these are usually reserved for deployments. Sometimes they have a choice, sometimes they dont. Finally, get out and travel, travel, TRAVEL! So Your Spouse Just Deployed??? Because of this, you spend a lot of time there and not as much time away. Because home is 2,000+ miles away. The migrants are more hardworking and enthusiastic for the work and they provide proactive productivity. Citizenship and Immigration Services. Some government officials are also fondof dual citizenship and see it as a way to promote the country's image as a prime destination for tourists. The past 50 years in Europe have been some of the most peaceful out of the last 1,000 years of history. If something were to happen and they had to go to Germany, you are already in the country. A person with dual citizenship is a citizen of two countries at thesame time, which has both advantages and disadvantages because it is a complex legal status. The program is not available for employer- sponsored relocations or transactions in Iowa or outside the United States. A distinct advantage of using your VA loan is that you may not have to pay some of the additional fees normally paid at Copyright 2023 Military.com. You should have this anyway even while living in on-post quarters. However, there are ways to overcome culture shock and make the most of your time abroad. You probably know of someone who spent a summer or a semester of college traveling through Europe or Japan. The government typically will. 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. Basic needs such as food, electricity, internet and clothing are all relatively affordable. When we were in Germany I did enjoy going on walks around my local village or eating at certain German restaurants. This can be especially useful if you spend a long time in an off-post hotel. 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. It may help teachers feel refreshed and support a good work-life balance. And the flowers. For one thing, very few of the people stationed where you are can go home for the weekend. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. Amazon.de is very popular in Germany, and you can save the VAT tax when you have things sent to your German address. Who Is Considered a Resident Alien? We even had a beer delivery truck. (Austria is also very different culturally from Germany, despite both being German-speaking countries.) So if I hear someone is trying to decide to go, I urge them to do so. An experience. Read this to figure out whether dual citizenship makes sense for you. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously. Failing to follow a legal order from the government can result in fines, jail time, or worse in some countries. View more newsletters on our Subscriptions page. After three and a half years on Oahu, Im still constantly wowed and blown away by the beauty of this island. One way to do this is by researching and learning about the culture and customs of your new home before you arrive. Expect that you will have a significant adjustment period to the culture. Great weather. As a family member, a soldier and then as a spouse, I have been through numerous tours in both Germany and Belgium. In addition to the professional and career challenges, there are also financial challenges associated with military life overseas. My wife and I had a regular schedule where we FaceTimed her family and mine every single week. Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet. Being stationed overseas as a military member comes with a unique set of challenges and benefits. 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. 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. Not every . There is always a backlog of appointments with your PCM. APO mail service overseas is a bit different than stateside mail. 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! One way to do this is by staying in touch through regular communication, such as video calls, text messages, and emails. 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. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc. 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. 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. Whether its practicing yoga, meditating, or taking a hot bath, taking time for yourself can help you manage the stress and demands of military life overseas. In our last PCS I was forced to do that, as I started pre-nursing courses almost immediately after arriving at Ft. Bragg. Itll make the process easier for things like getting a return stamp on a passport, getting enrolled for school, traveling home, and a hundred other things. Have a good attitude and an open mind and make your overseas assignment an enjoyable one. These include white papers, government data, original reporting, and interviews with industry experts. I cant forget the locals that we interact with on a regular basis, either. Luckily he survived and I arrived in 36 hours to be by his side. Citizenship and Immigration Services. 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. 1. Facts To Know About Social Security Numbers. Bio: Malori Mayor is a registered nurse, classically-trained violinist, blogger and YouTuber, and most importantly, wife to Mark for almost 5 years.

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