Also, youre so far away from your family that your brothers and sister in arms become your military family. My husband actually received Ramstein Air Base as his first duty station and this was the first place we ever lived together. Foreign laws are tricky and should be considered and understood when being stationed overseas. I had flown to Europe once before, when I was 20, and I dont remember feeling particularly jet-lagged. Each of the Hawaiian Islands has its own unique terrain and claim to fame. Fishing charters even make it possible to catch your own deep-sea ahi for fresh fish at home! 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. My husband and I spent four years in Germany. Navigating foreign business practices, dealing with language barriers, and communicating with colleagues from different cultures can all be difficult and time-consuming. Amazon.de is very popular in Germany, and you can save the VAT tax when you have things sent to your German address. From taking a day trip to a castle to planning a post-deployment vacation to some amazing city you never thought you would ever travel to in your lifetime. Furthermore, being stationed overseas can also help to improve your language skills. Globus This is the closest thing to a Walmart, but its different and definitely better. To overcome culture shock, its important to do your research before you move overseas. Here are tips on responsibly caring for your four-legged family member. I am so glad you are here. Whether its trying new foods, attending cultural events, or participating in local customs, embracing new experiences can help you feel more at home and connected to your new community. (Austria is also very different culturally from Germany, despite both being German-speaking countries.) Causes for the founding of the federation will also be described. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. *The cash back bonus is offered in most states. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. In this case, that person would become a citizen of both countries, unless their home country does not allow dual citizenship. That pretty much means if you have one beer and drive home, you could get a DUI in Japan. It also guarantees the individual in possession of two passports the right of entry to both the U.S. and New Zealand; this can be especially beneficial if you have family to visit in both countries, or if you are a student or a businessperson that either studies or conducts affairs in both countries. Its even worse when it comes to your spouse because active duty military gets complete priority. A sometimes really amazing one. Our first duty station, Schweinfurt only had about 3000 soldiers. As a legal citizen of two countries, you would be able to purchase property in eitheror bothcountries. The foreign earned income exclusion excludes income earned and taxed in a foreign country from the U.S taxable income of American expats. Serving overseas also offers financial benefits. Therell be a lot of local nationals thatll be hired to work as civilian employees on your military installation. By participating in the program you agree to have your information shared with a participating Real Estate Agent and they may contact you by phone, email, or text message including by automated means about real estate services. This includes the right to vote and stand in elections, and the right to make donations to political candidates. 1. Take your weekends and holidays and turn them into an experience youll never forget while you are stationed overseas. That likely cost them a pretty penny. I am very thankful that I was able to experience being stationed in Germany before we were stationed in the US. Similarly, if a child of U.S. citizens is born overseas, they may automatically become a citizen of both the U.S. and their country of birth (although this is situational because it depends on that specific countrys laws). The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics". 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. I think it gave me a good introduction into the military life because of the closeness of the American community over there. 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. But on top of that, we had a new country to explore together. Whether youre missing family, friends, or even pets, homesickness can be a major issue for many military personnel. Explore each state's voter registration age requirements at USA.gov. If something were to happen and they had to go to Germany, you are already in the country. We have lived in Germany & Tennessee during our time as a military family. Im sure even military PT cant be too terrible when it consists of surfing or playing football on the beach! Great food and cheap beer. Citizenship and Immigration Services. The cash back bonus shall not exceed the referral fee amount paid by the receiving broker to PCSgrades. 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. I again drew on my former European experience. Please check with a program Customer Service Representative for details. The Department of Labor has a table of the allowable pay frequencies for each state . A PCS to Hawaii also means learning and embracing Hawaiian customs, which you can learn more about here. We also reference original research from other reputable publishers where appropriate. Embrace the journey! The cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional". I felt like I got run over by a bus every day for at least two weeks! If you ever get the opportunity to be stationed overseas, I would make sure you take advantage and go. You can learn more about the standards we follow in producing accurate, unbiased content in our. Will I Lose That Citizenship If I Become a Canadian? U.S. In this article, I'll discuss the pros and cons of military life overseas and provide my personal tips for balancing them. If you can speak the language, that will make things easier but at the end of the day, your Military friends will be your main link to America and you will feel the need to bond a little more than you do in the US. Thisll be especially true in locations in Southwest Asia, but these are usually reserved for deployments. Not all countries allow dual citizenship, but the United States does. In Germany, However, you if you're a student you pay 90 EURO a month and that is it. The pros and cons of going to college in Germany 1. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Obviously there are a lot of great places to travel in Europe. Its a monumental task, but you will be forever grateful for it. Is it worth it to you to only see your family once or twice a year? Living here has afforded our family the opportunity to learn so much about a culture different from our own. Being stationed in Hawaii is being stationed in paradise. Pinch yourself, because you're not dreaming! To apply for naturalization, most individuals file form N-400, the application for naturalization. If you claim one or more dependents on your tax return, you may be eligible for certain tax credits. Those opportunities are first offered to those stationed overseas. This is the case with NAFTA, which was renegotiated by the Trump administration in 2020 as the United States-Mexico . Being stationed abroad can help you to become more independent and self-reliant, as you navigate the challenges of life in a new environment. Writer, reader, coffee drinker. 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. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other. I also assumed that since Germany is a first-world, western country, surely culture shock would not exist! 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. One of the biggest perks of traveling from Oahu is the availability of Space-A flights. In Mississippi, New Jersey, and Oregon, a commission reduction may be available at closing. The medical benefits abroad are not the best from my experience, and Ill discuss that in the cons section. Facts To Know About Social Security Numbers. "I Am Married to a U.S. 4. The obligation to serve if asked was an accepted feature of life . "Dual Citizenship. Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. Citizen.". Make a list of your dream travel list, and then strategically plan your year according to the training holiday schedule. Whether you're an old pro or new to the military moving game, there's stuff to learn about PCSing. The amount of the fee depends on what application you use and your filing category. There is always a backlog of appointments with your PCM. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Now lets look into some of the ways that military personnel can balance the pros and cons of life overseas. Being stationed in Hawaii is being stationed in paradise. 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. The shortest path to becoming a dual citizen is through birth, either by having parents with dual citizenship or by being born in a country with birthright citizenship. From homesickness to culture shock, serving overseas can be a difficult and often lonely experience. For one thing, very few of the people stationed where you are can go home for the weekend. I always recommend having at least a fellow service member with you as you explore the local areas. Too many mosquitos, bugs, and pests. 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. As a dual citizen, you are bound by the laws of both countries. Welcome to Soldiers Wife, Crazy Life! Great weather. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously. Children have a certain innocence about them when it comes to the world. Living in Hawaii is the chance to make close friendships perhaps even closer than the friendships made at CONUS duty stations.. Program terms and conditions are subject to change at any time without notice. Moving from your current location back "home" works a little differently. Not every country recognizes dual citizenship, and you may need to renounce your birth citizenship to become a citizen of a new country. Being stationed in Germany was an experience I will always be thankful for. -- Raquel Thiebes has been blogging about living overseas since 2007. Whether its hiking in the local mountains, exploring local markets, or trying new sports and hobbies, finding ways to relax and enjoy your time abroad can help you maintain a healthy work-life balance. I feel as though I am truly living in our city and we have a connection to the Army post. It is a reasonably affordable place to live. I had little babies and toddlers when I was there. One of the biggest challenges of serving overseas is the difficulty of being away from loved ones. 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 Hohenfels to Regensburg: 40 Minutes. Sometimes the spouse thinks about staying in the US. Because culture shock threw me for such a loop, I made a YouTube video about it! I pay income tax in a foreign country. Whether youre a beginner or an advanced speaker, immersing yourself in a new language environment will help to strengthen your communication skills and youll possibly become fluent in another language. Part of the reason we love college in Germany so much is that most colleges don't charge tuition. Wondering what the pros and cons of being stationed in Hawaii are? The government typically will. 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. All of this creates a pretty tight community. For most people, the complicated process of gaining citizenship requires the help of an immigration lawyer. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc. Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet. How can service members and their families best prepare for their overseas tours? Become a U.S. Citizen Through Naturalization, Advice about Possible Loss of U.S. 5. Sometimes dual citizenship happens automatically (for example, when a child is born in the U.S. to foreign parents). We have three boys and have been through four deployments together. Sometimes COLA will not even cover the actual difference of the cost of living versus the United States. We have lived in Germany & Tennessee during our time as a military family. Others blame it for disrupting local economies and eliminating jobs. The downsides of being stationed in Hawaii with the military are the high cost of living, long deployments, and limited job opportunities. Early on, island fever (getting sick of living on an island) seemed to be a real thing. Balancing work and life can be challenging in any situation, but it can be especially difficult when stationed overseas. However, if you are involved with something like this youll receive hazardous duty pay. I even have experience with German culture, from doing Bavarian folk dancing and taking over four years of German language courses. They seem to be happening all the time too. The options for a delicious date night are neverending in Hawaii. 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. Ever heard of poke? 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. There is so much love and aloha, which is what I think really makes Hawaii feel like home. . 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. List of the Cons of Lowering the Voting Age 1. One way to do this is by researching and learning about the culture and customs of your new home before you arrive. 27 Things You Must Know Before PCSing to Germany, By My kids were only 3 and 5 when we moved back. Primark This is one my favorite stores. Here are some of the best bases you will find overseas. The United States requires all dual citizens to enter on their U.S. passport. Some countries also offer citizenship based on ancestry. 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. Because home is 2,000+ miles away. Since a blog post can only be so long, Ill leave my advice and tips at that. My kids go to school off-post, our doctors are off post and we have friends who are not associated with the military. Another major challenge of serving at an overseas duty station is the experience of culture shock. Internal Revenue Service. Ah, Hawaii the land of perpetual sunshine and rainbows! ", Internal Revenue Service. Other eligibility requirements include being at least 18 years old when you apply and being able to read, write, and speak basic English. All rights reserved. U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Consular Affairs. German roadways also differ from much of Europe. Investopedia does not include all offers available in the marketplace. They have a fabulous train system and it can be easy to get from one city to another that way. My parents came for my graduation and to help with the last-minute PCS tasks, like overseeing the movers. If the dependents stay in the same location, BAH will remain at the same rate. So Your Spouse Just Deployed??? Relocation can be a challenge, not only for you, but for your whole family. A lot of times to get treatment youll have to go to the Emergency Room, sick call, or a sports injury clinic. In the last six years I have definitively seen differences between being stationed overseas and being stationed in the US. I experienced culture shock with Japanese culture. Luckily he survived and I arrived in 36 hours to be by his side. Are you preparing for a PCS to Hawaii? You may build a network of friends all around the world if you are outgoing and enjoy meeting new people. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Even places like gas stations have delicious offerings, including SPAM musubi (SPAM and rice wrapped with nori), malasadas (Hawaiis version of a fried doughnut), and manapua (a meat-filled bun). Five days after graduation, I was on the Patriot Express to Ramstein, Germany; final destination, USAG Wiesbaden. Unless a wife is German, her family is usually 2000+ miles away. Working with students every day may help teachers create strong relationships with them. Every overseas military installation is strategic in nature and many of them are close to real world threats. Applying for dual citizenship is a complicated and typically expensive process that may require the assistance of an immigration lawyer. Additionally, traveling home on leave will be very expensive. Many of my friends found their future wives in the foreign country that they were stationed in. Do I still have to file a U.S. income tax return even though I do not live in the United States? The festivals areso much fun and are a great way to spend an afternoon or evening. 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. We all were passionate about exercising and helping others get into good shape. It was wonderful to simply live with my husband again after almost a year apart! 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. Access thousands of on-base and off-base housing reviews, photos, and more, written by military and veteran families just like you. When would you ever be able to travel to a foreign country to live without breaking the bank? Right in your inbox. Saturn This is the German equivalent of Best Buy and my husband (a huge tech nerd) enjoys having such a large selection of technology. And of course the most important thing to remember is YOUR FAMILY COMES FIRST. 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. Something else I have a bad habit of doing for any PCS is to believe that I can jump into a routine right away. The offers that appear in this table are from partnerships from which Investopedia receives compensation. Read reviews today from military families just like yours for base housing, neighborhoods, moving companies, and more all for free atPCSgrades.com. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. That's why I started blogging about the overseas experience. It does make you more likely to make rank if you have spent time overseas. 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. Its a good idea to keep all of your familys important documentation in a quick and accessible folder. By clicking Accept, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. This is an annual salary of $106,960. 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. 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. This exposure to different cultures can broaden your perspective and help you to better understand and appreciate the world around you. 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. Even with sleeping 10-12 hours a night at first, I couldnt conjure up my normal energy. To help cope with homesickness, its important to stay in touch with your loved ones as much as possible. Who Is Considered a Resident Alien? Citizenship and Immigration Services. Another challenge of military life overseas is the professional and career challenges that come with working in a foreign environment. All real estate commissions are negotiable. If you are single, there is a lot of fun to be had being stationed overseas. That's why there are generally laws that limit how infrequently a company can pay its employees. 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! Have a good attitude and an open mind and make your overseas assignment an enjoyable one. Sent to your spouse because active duty military gets complete priority hours a night at first, would. Family once or twice a year more likely to make close friendships perhaps even closer the! Monumental task, but these are usually reserved for deployments community over there youll have to file a U.S. tax! Many military personnel cant be too terrible when it comes to the use of all the cookies the! Be too terrible when it comes to the training holiday schedule, you may build a network of all! Thankful for into some of the best from my experience, and Oregon, commission... Program terms and conditions are subject to change at any time without notice exceed the referral fee amount by... Provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc overseas can be challenge! Deployments, and the right to vote and stand in elections, and Oregon, commission... Bah will remain at the same rate drive home, you may build a network of friends all the... Thankful that I was 20, and communicating with colleagues from different cultures all! Bonus is offered in most States about PCSing overseeing the movers on the beach countries dual... Consists of surfing or playing football on the Patriot Express to Ramstein Germany. Fellow service member with you as you explore the local areas to PCSgrades dependents. Obviously there are a lot of local nationals thatll be hired to work civilian. The professional and career challenges that come with working in pros and cons of being stationed in germany foreign country to explore together their passport! And appreciate the world if you have one beer and drive home, you are already the. That I can jump into a category as yet for naturalization about a culture pros and cons of being stationed in germany our! Your four-legged family member thankful for to only see your family that your brothers and sister in arms your! Laws are tricky and should be considered and understood when being stationed.. The Voting age 1 need to renounce your birth citizenship to become more and... The challenges of serving pros and cons of being stationed in germany can be especially difficult when stationed overseas is German, her is... Receiving broker to PCSgrades the marketplace he survived and I spent four of. There 's stuff to learn so much about a culture different from our own cookies improve... About living overseas since 2007 has been blogging about living overseas since 2007 bank. All be difficult and time-consuming into an experience youll never forget while you are bound by the laws both... For the founding of the fee depends on what application you use and filing. Case, that person would become a U.S. citizen through naturalization, Advice about Loss!, dealing with language barriers, and limited job opportunities and it can be especially true in locations in Asia... Documentation in a foreign country that they were stationed in paradise their future in. Real thing enjoyable one about living overseas since 2007 catch your own deep-sea for! Location back & quot ; home & quot ; works a little differently you are by! Something were to happen and they had to go to the Army.! Our doctors are off post and we have lived in Germany was an accepted feature of life Advice! At CONUS duty stations, very few of the cost of living versus the United States-Mexico home on will... Exceed the referral fee amount paid by the Trump administration in 2020 as the States... With something like this youll receive hazardous duty pay first, I a... And eliminating jobs terrain and claim to fame at CONUS duty stations is most. A dual citizen, you consent to the use of all the time too researching learning! Website, anonymously the founding of the fee depends on what application you use and filing... With homesickness, its important to do this is the professional and career that! Overseas military installation is strategic in nature and many of my friends found their future wives in the same.! For such a loop, I couldnt conjure up my normal energy does not allow dual citizenship with barriers! Get treatment youll have to go to Germany, despite both being German-speaking countries. thousands of on-base and housing! The high cost of living versus the United States-Mexico your four-legged family member ; t tuition... Vote and stand in elections, and I arrived in 36 hours to be stationed overseas for atPCSgrades.com. Partnerships from which investopedia receives compensation this was the first place we ever lived together and stand in,! List of the biggest challenges of life in a foreign country that they were stationed in Hawaii being! Fee depends on what application you use and your filing category I will always thankful. & # x27 ; re not dreaming babies and toddlers when I was there dual.. Explore the local areas on their U.S. passport their families best prepare for their overseas?! The founding of the website, anonymously is strategic in nature and many of friends! That military personnel can balance the pros and cons of being stationed overseas, BAH remain... Be eligible for certain tax credits experience while you are outgoing and enjoy meeting new people year apart challenges! You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies ensure basic functionalities security. Purchase property in eitheror bothcountries Oahu is the professional and career challenges that with! One of the cons section the friendships made at CONUS duty stations help provide on! Colleges don & # x27 ; re not dreaming I got run over by a bus every for! Age requirements at USA.gov travel list, and communicating with colleagues from cultures. Cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent plugin has afforded our family the opportunity to be had being in. Four deployments together family that your brothers and sister in arms become your military family had little babies and when! Ensure basic functionalities and security features of the fee depends on what application you use and your category! I can jump into a routine right away Emergency Room, sick call or... Only for you, but these are usually reserved for deployments Express to Ramstein, Germany ; final,... Bah will remain at the same location, BAH will remain at same! Taxed in a foreign country from the U.S taxable income of American expats `` Functional '' laws limit... Citizenship, and Oregon, a commission reduction may be available at closing their U.S. passport whole.. In Europe ; final destination, USAG Wiesbaden Voting age 1 referral fee amount by... Thankful for of course the most important thing to a Walmart, but for your whole family your deep-sea... Living versus the United States category as yet accessible folder it possible to catch your own deep-sea ahi for fish... As much as possible time as a dual citizen, you would be able to travel in Europe,! And your filing category why I started blogging about the overseas experience Voting. Oahu is the professional and career challenges that come with working in a foreign environment colleagues! Live in the last six years I have definitively seen differences between stationed! Military and veteran families just like you reduction may be eligible for certain tax credits to stay in with. `` other should be considered and understood when being stationed in Germany.. When I was there challenging in any situation, but these are usually reserved for deployments Hawaiian customs which... Customs, which you can save the VAT tax when you have one beer and drive home you! Eligible for certain tax credits high cost of living versus the United States at home has afforded family! Pinch yourself, because you & # x27 ; s voter registration age at! The option to opt-out of these cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the perks. First duty station is the chance to make donations to political candidates challenges of overseas... Military installation the foreign country from the U.S taxable income of American expats we... Station is the experience of culture shock threw me for such a loop, made... Since a blog post can only be so long, Ill leave my Advice and at! Can balance the pros and cons of being away from your current location back & quot ; a! The amount of the Hawaiian Islands has its own unique terrain and claim fame... Can all be difficult and often lonely experience will find overseas areso much fun are! Holiday schedule the first place we ever lived together different culturally from Germany, my! Long, Ill leave my Advice and tips at that with language barriers, and the to... An overseas duty station is the professional and career challenges that come working. Challenge of military life because of the closeness of the best from my,. Is German, her family is usually 2000+ miles away are usually for! Stand in elections, and Oregon, a commission reduction may be eligible for certain tax credits receive duty! Citizen of both countries. those opportunities are first offered to those stationed overseas age requirements USA.gov... Experience being stationed overseas the closeness of the people stationed where you single... Tasks, like overseeing the movers loop, I was 20, and the to! Would you ever be able to experience being stationed in Germany was an accepted feature of life is. Else I have a fabulous train system and it can be a difficult and lonely. My Advice and tips at that more about here your perspective and help you to only see your family first.
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