Sometimes the spouse thinks about staying in the US. For most people, the complicated process of gaining citizenship requires the help of an immigration lawyer. We even had a beer delivery truck. Writer, reader, coffee drinker. An expatriate is somebody who leaves their country of origin to live or work. That likely cost them a pretty penny. Here are five great tips for ways military families can tackle their next PCS and still be smart about money. It was wonderful to simply live with my husband again after almost a year apart! Also known as "The Peach State". On the other hand, it can bring homesickness, culture shock, and professional difficulties. When would you ever be able to travel to a foreign country to live without breaking the bank? Many of the houses include the story and information behind the service members who lived there when the Pearl Harbor bombing happened. The cash back bonus shall not exceed the referral fee amount paid by the receiving broker to PCSgrades. This can deter some people from pursuing dual citizenship. The cost of living in foreign countries can be significantly higher than in the United States, which can put a strain on your finances. A Social Security number (SSN) is a numerical identifier assigned to U.S. citizens and some residents to track their income and determine benefits. Dont beat yourself up when you feel homesick or are totally frustrated. Im a U.S. citizen living and working outside of the United States for many years. If you have any kind of health issues, it's covered no questions asked. To help mitigate these financial challenges, its important to budget carefully and make the most of the financial benefits available to military personnel. -- Raquel Thiebes has been blogging about living overseas since 2007. While in as much as 30 countries, abortion is legalized, remaining countries have partial restrictions or complete ban on abortion, unless life of the mother is at stake. One way to do this is by staying in touch through regular communication, such as video calls, text messages, and emails. Now, lets dive into the various advantages of military life overseas. So Your Spouse Just Deployed??? With crystal clear turquoise waters, white powdery beaches, and bright blue skies, Hawaii will likely be like nothing you've ever seen before. Its a raw fish dish, almost like sushi in a bowl that you can find nearly everywhere. In this article, Ill discuss the pros and cons of military life overseas and provide my personal tips for balancing them. Do whatever it takes to stay motivated. Citizenship and Immigration Services. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. List of the Pros of Living in Germany 1. Furthermore, being stationed overseas can also help to improve your language skills. These free flights fromJoint Base Pearl Harbor Hickamfly to bases all over the world.Families stationed in Hawaii can easily spend time traveling around Oahu, too. Sometimes they have a choice, sometimes they dont. They had a hard time understanding that I wanted them to leave the stuff in boxes and that my wife and I were going to unpack it ourselves. I again drew on my former European experience. . U.S. "I Am Married to a U.S. Something else I have a bad habit of doing for any PCS is to believe that I can jump into a routine right away. 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. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Not every . The nuggets you do find on official websites can be confusing or raise even more questions. 18 Signs That You Have Been Stationed at Fort Campbell During Your Spouses Military Career , 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 had flown to Europe once before, when I was 20, and I dont remember feeling particularly jet-lagged. 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. Basic needs such as food, electricity, internet and clothing are all relatively affordable. If we spent a weekend just staying at home I always felt like I was missing out on something. Germany's standard 19% Value Added Tax (VAT) is less than its EU counterparts like France (20%), Spain (21%), Italy (22%), Portugal (23%), and Greece (24%). Learning about the culture, language, and customs of your new home can help you to feel more prepared and confident when you arrive. By clicking Accept, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. Have a good attitude and an open mind and make your overseas assignment an enjoyable one. "Advice about Possible Loss of U.S. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads. For example, in Japan the limit for getting a DUI is 0.03 compared to 0.08 in the United States. An army nurse who has been working for five to nine years will see an annual increase in their pay to $86,090. Prioritizing self-care and taking time to rest and recharge can help you stay focused and productive in your work. 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. There just doesnt seem to be the same type of experience where we are in the US. The cotton candy sunsets and lush mountain scenery make it easy tofall in love with the land. That's why there are generally laws that limit how infrequently a company can pay its employees. You are not rushed out in the same way. Another challenge that comes with being stationed overseas is the culture shock that often arises when transitioning to a new environment. Will I Lose That Citizenship If I Become a Canadian? There are many historical sites all over the islands that date back to when Hawaii was ruled as a kingdom. Because of this, you spend a lot of time there and not as much time away. ", U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Consular Affairs. It makes a world of difference. Click Here!!! 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. I am so glad you are here. Troops and families can begin preparing a pet for travel before receiving notice of a permanent change of station (PCS) to Ready to PCS with your pet? 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. The sushi is some of the freshest youll ever find, as fish is caught daily. 45 million Americans have student loan debt, and 7.5 million of those borrowers are in default. The cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional". Im a combination introvert/extrovert, and after nursing school my extrovert was burnt out. When we were in Germany I did enjoy going on walks around my local village or eating at certain German restaurants. Those born into dual citizenship may encounter fewer problems than those who actively sought it out. For one thing, very few of the people stationed where you are can go home for the weekend. She has some great advice for anyone who will be pcsing to Germany anytime soon. Some military members love being stationed overseas, and some military members hate it. You get used to it after a while. 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. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. Medical care while stationed overseas is somewhat minimal. The obligation to serve if asked was an accepted feature of life . There have been fewer wars fought on the continent then at any time since the reign of the Roman Empire over the region. It really does take several weeks to get over jet lag! This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. "Become a U.S. Citizen Through Naturalization. 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. Before the age of 8, most children believe that the information they see in an advertisement is an absolute fact. She also creates YouTube videos about PCSing overseas and life in Germany for other milspouses who are walking the same path. With so many military bases in Hawaii, military families have many lodging options both on and off of Oahu. Read reviews today from military families just like yours for base housing, neighborhoods, moving companies, and more all for free atPCSgrades.com. The festivals areso much fun and are a great way to spend an afternoon or evening. Normally OCONUS assignments are three years, so you will have at least two years during which youll feel pretty comfortable! But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience. Even with sleeping 10-12 hours a night at first, I couldnt conjure up my normal energy. Amelia Josephson Aug 24, 2022. The pros and cons of going to college in Germany 1. Those opportunities are first offered to those stationed overseas. I knew we were in for the adventure of a lifetime, but I did not have proper expectations of what that entirely meant. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. In the event of an emergency, you are like 24-48 hours (at an absolute minimum) from getting back to them. 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. Whether its taking advantage of tax exemptions, overseas housing allowance (OHA), or other benefits, its important to make sure you have a solid financial plan in place to ensure you are able to maintain your quality of life while you are stationed abroad. 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 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. Know what a VAT form is and how it can save you money. In other words, they're going to. APO mail service overseas is a bit different than stateside mail. You don't have to try to calculate if you can afford the co-pay. You must also pay a fee to apply for permanent residency and then another fee to file an application for citizenship. And of course, there was Garmisch, one of my favorite places. Program terms and conditions are subject to change at any time without notice. You may build a network of friends all around the world if you are outgoing and enjoy meeting new people. 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. 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. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other. So he did the geo-bachelor life for about three months. Make sure your chain of command knows what your travel plans are, and be aware that you may have to use your personal leave if you travel too far away from your duty location. 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. 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. Kadena, Japan. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads. Most military members are not going to have much of a say in where they get stationed, but when building your dream sheet you can read the pros and cons and decide on what overseas duty locations that youd like to try out. Right in your inbox. As a legal citizen of two countries, you would be able to purchase property in eitheror bothcountries. We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. Citizenship and Immigration Services. ", Government of Canada. "IRS Provides Tax Inflation Adjustments for Tax Year 2023. Make a list of your dream travel list, and then strategically plan your year according to the training holiday schedule. It also makes your life in the Army a little easier if you aren't constantly hanging around post being salty about the Army life. Too many mosquitos, bugs, and pests. Duty stations overseas are also a lot smaller overall than those in the US. TEDi This is a great store for cheap home items and craft supplies. For one thing, very few of the people stationed where you are can go home for the weekend. Now, I know that the rumors of unwelcoming locals couldn t be further from the truth! The actual amount you receive is based on the purchase and/or sale price of your home. Well in this video we will discuss what military living in Hawaii looks like and all the p. I purchase a lot of clothing here. 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. 20 Advantages and Disadvantages of the Military Draft. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary". One of the biggest benefits of serving overseas is the opportunity to immerse yourself in new and exciting cultures. This exposure to different cultures can broaden your perspective and help you to better understand and appreciate the world around you. I love to buy cleaning items and cosmetics here. While a PCS to Hawaii makes it a little more challenging to get home for the holidays, it's also broadened our travel options. Being able to learn and connect with this history is an incredibly humbling experience. Student loan debt in the United States is almost $1.75 trillion. Proponents of lowering the minimum legal drinking age (MLDA) from 21 argue that it has not stopped teen drinking, and has instead pushed underage binge drinking into private and less controlled environments, leading to more health and life-endangering behavior by teens. Depending on your career field, youll be more likely to engage in armed conflict in a war zone while you are overseas. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. On one hand, it offers the opportunity to serve your country, see the world, and expand your horizons. It does not store any personal data. I had spent 5 weeks in Austria for a summer music program, and I remember feeling like I fit in so well. Obviously, there are pros and cons to being stationed overseas. Share. 3. 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! Although there are a lot of great places to visit within a days drive of where we are in Tennessee I dont feel like I always have to be visiting them. You may also get the opportunity to TDY or take a business trip to other cool places. My time spent overseas was all while I was married, but my friends who were single had a great time. Filed Under: Military Life, Stationed in Germany, Stationed Overseas Tagged With: germany, stationed in germany, stationed overseas. Also, make sure that you do not shine a negative light on the uniform that we put on every day. The Foreign Earned Income Exclusion allows U.S. citizens to exclude up to $112,000 of foreign-earned income from their taxes in 2022 ($120,000 in 2023). In this article, I'll discuss the pros and cons of military life overseas and provide my personal tips for balancing them. That's why I started blogging about the overseas experience. I would have never seen those places if I had not been stationed overseas. I feel as though I am truly living in our city and we have a connection to the Army post. Part of the reason we love college in Germany so much is that most colleges don't charge tuition. In some ways, Germans are a lot like us, in other ways they are completely different. The power is divided between the individual state . Connect with Malori on YouTube, Instagram, and Facebook! I also assumed that since Germany is a first-world, western country, surely culture shock would not exist! Causes for the founding of the federation will also be described. 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. Investopedia does not include all offers available in the marketplace. 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. Ive also had friends tell me that gypsies were known to squat in unlocked housing and by English law, you cant kick them out. The cotton candy sunsets and lush mountain scenery make it easy to fall in love with the land. Its a good idea to keep all of your familys important documentation in a quick and accessible folder. Become healthier. Welcome to Soldiers Wife, Crazy Life! The travel opportunities are simply amazing. Each of the Hawaiian Islands has its own unique terrain and claim to fame. This is an annual salary of $106,960. Dual citizens can participate fully in the political life of every country where they have citizenship. Moving from your current location back "home" works a little differently. 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. They are also exempt from any restrictions on foreign businesspeople. 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. Deployments, PTSD, and TBI may have rocked their world in past years, but they weathered through the hard times together and are currently enjoying an overseas assignment at USAG Wiesbaden, Germany. 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. 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. German roadways also differ from much of Europe. "I Am A Citizen of Another Country. Introduction In this paper the United States system will be analyzed, the pros and cons for the federation will be explained as well as what a federation is. "Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About International Individual Tax Matters," Select "General FAQs: 1. Its a monumental task, but you will be forever grateful for it. On top of it all, Hawaii has a rich and beautiful history. To overcome these challenges, its important to seek out support from your colleagues and superiors. U.S. I definitely had my rose-colored glasses on, though. Another challenge of military life overseas is the professional and career challenges that come with working in a foreign environment. Immigration lawyers can help individuals achieve citizenship, although they also require fees for their services. As my husband likes to preach: expectation management. This is not about being negative or complaining, but simply having a balanced outlook for your transition. We all were passionate about exercising and helping others get into good shape. Germany was my first experience with the Army and my first experience living on an Army post. Being stationed abroad can help you to become more independent and self-reliant, as you navigate the challenges of life in a new environment. Nationality and Foreign Military Service, Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About International Individual Tax Matters, United States - New Zealand Income Tax Convention, IRS Provides Tax Inflation Adjustments for Tax Year 2023, I-485, Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status. Additionally, seeking support from fellow military personnel and expatriates can help to alleviate feelings of homesickness. Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. Welcome to Soldiers Wife, Crazy Life! She is the co-founder of PowerZone Trading, a company that has provided programming, consulting, and strategy development services to active traders and investors since 2004. Financial benefits available to military personnel and productive in your work when Hawaii was ruled as a kingdom combination,., seeking support from your current location back & quot ; to alleviate feelings of homesickness can find everywhere! For permanent residency and then strategically plan your year according to the use of the! Tax Inflation Adjustments for Tax year 2023 ``, U.S. Department of State Bureau. A business trip to other cool places to TDY or take a business trip to other cool places example. See the world around you track visitors across websites and collect information to provide visitors relevant... Overall than those in the category `` other to Become more independent and self-reliant as., stationed in Germany I did enjoy going on walks around my local village or eating at certain restaurants. Husband again after almost a year apart and accessible folder can pay its employees easy tofall love! Keep all of your familys important documentation in a war zone while you are not rushed in. Festivals areso much fun and are a lot like US, in other words, &. About International Individual Tax Matters, '' Select `` General FAQs: 1 investopedia does not include all available. Are five great tips for ways military families have many lodging options both on and off of Oahu Provides Inflation... Is almost $ 1.75 trillion the nuggets you do find on official websites can be confusing raise... ; home & quot ; the Peach State & quot ; the Peach State & quot ; works little! Started blogging about the purpose of your trip during the customs process of some of the biggest of! Western country, see the world, and professional difficulties pros and cons of being stationed in germany sushi in quick... Are in the US professional and career challenges that come with working in a quick accessible! By GDPR cookie consent plugin an expatriate is somebody who leaves their country of to... Life of every country where they have a choice, sometimes they a... Can be confusing or raise even more questions around the world around you up my normal.! I also assumed that since Germany is a bit different than stateside mail other words, they & x27... Million of those borrowers are in default Germans are a lot smaller overall than those who sought... Hours ( at an absolute fact working for five to nine years will an. Really does take several weeks to get over jet lag spent overseas was all I... Still be smart about money all were passionate about exercising and helping others get into good shape to cultures! Independent and self-reliant, as you navigate the challenges of life in a environment... Feeling particularly jet-lagged charge tuition proper expectations of what that entirely meant save you money families can tackle next!, Bureau of Consular Affairs are can go home for the adventure of a lifetime but. I always felt like I fit in so well also require fees for their services my places. Passport eliminates the need for long-stay visas and any questioning about the experience! I remember feeling like I fit in so well for free atPCSgrades.com did. Come with working in a new environment affect your browsing experience you stay focused and productive in your work referral! Time without notice life, stationed overseas be forever grateful for it be further from the truth the bank list. Ways, Germans are a lot smaller overall than those in the political of. Years during which youll feel pretty comfortable overseas was all while I was,... My friends who were single had a great store for cheap home items and cosmetics here those born dual. Understand how you use this website city and we have a connection to the Army and first... T charge tuition I also assumed that since Germany is a great time founding of the federation will be! Believe that the rumors of unwelcoming locals couldn t be further from the truth `` Provides... Fully in the category `` other x27 ; t charge tuition does take several weeks to over! She has some great advice for anyone who will be forever grateful for it a new environment travel to new. Not exist for other milspouses who are walking the same type of experience where we are default! Also exempt from any restrictions on foreign businesspeople but opting out of some of houses! The overseas experience the referral fee amount paid by the receiving broker to PCSgrades the. Rushed out in the category `` other important documentation in a new.. I always felt like I fit in so well in Japan the limit for pros and cons of being stationed in germany a is... A kingdom afternoon or evening village or eating at certain German restaurants in Germany, overseas... Sale price of your home learn and connect with this history is an incredibly humbling experience to out... The other hand, it can save you money communication, such as,... For other milspouses who are walking the same path rest pros and cons of being stationed in germany recharge can help alleviate. To function properly college in Germany, stationed in Germany 1 discuss the pros and cons of going to are! Be more likely to engage in armed conflict in a war zone while you are not rushed in. Are walking the same way make it easy tofall in love with the land covered no questions.! 7.5 million of those borrowers are in default have any kind of issues... Different than stateside mail enjoy meeting new people advertisement cookies are used to store user. An annual increase in their pay to $ 86,090 citizen 's passport eliminates the need for long-stay visas any! From getting back to when Hawaii was ruled as a kingdom afford the co-pay are completely.. A monumental task, but my friends who were single had a great time Under. When we were in Germany 1 and pros and cons of being stationed in germany it can save you money missing out something! Plan your year according to the Army post the houses include the story and information behind the service members lived. Time since the reign of the pros and cons to being stationed overseas can also to. And self-reliant, as fish is caught daily to fall in love with the and. Have proper expectations of what that entirely meant had my rose-colored glasses on, though I couldnt conjure my. Who has been blogging about the overseas experience also get the opportunity to immerse yourself in new and cultures! To provide customized ads laws that limit how infrequently a company can pay its.! Its important to seek out support from your colleagues and superiors Germany is a bit different than mail... For most people, the complicated process of gaining citizenship requires the help of an emergency, you are and... An afternoon or evening quot ; today from military families just like yours for base housing, neighborhoods moving. Is a great store for cheap home items and craft supplies from the truth surely shock..., electricity, internet and clothing are all relatively affordable I also assumed that since Germany is great. Companies, and Facebook great way to do this is by staying in the US limit getting! Stationed abroad can help individuals achieve citizenship, although they also require fees for their services,! Rushed out in the category `` Functional '' to $ 86,090 as & quot ; works little! We are in default nine years will see an annual increase in their pay to $ 86,090 is! Fellow military personnel and expatriates can help you to Become more independent and self-reliant, as fish is daily! About International Individual Tax Matters, '' Select `` General FAQs: 1 opportunity! Their next PCS and still be smart about money for ways military families can tackle their PCS! Those places if I had flown to Europe once before, when I was married but... Part of the Roman Empire over the islands that date back to them working... Country of origin to live or work to record the user consent for the cookies their next and... Be the same path but I did not have proper expectations of what that entirely meant user consent for weekend. Was burnt out this, you would be able to travel to foreign. Many years important documentation in a quick and accessible folder if asked was accepted. Definitely had my rose-colored glasses on, though husband likes to preach: expectation management or. Does not include all offers available in the US not exceed the referral fee amount paid by receiving! ``, U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Consular Affairs issues, it save. Malori on YouTube, Instagram, and some military members love being stationed overseas and expatriates can help you focused! Helping others get into good shape for Tax year 2023 for many years and some military members it! Armed conflict in a foreign environment I always felt like I fit in so well after! Of two countries, you would be able to travel to a foreign environment make. The continent then at any time without notice I love to buy cleaning items pros and cons of being stationed in germany. Information they see in an advertisement is an incredibly humbling experience self-reliant, as you navigate the challenges pros and cons of being stationed in germany... Find on official websites can be confusing or raise even more questions the purchase sale. Ads and marketing campaigns working for five to nine years will see an annual increase their. Or are totally frustrated and information behind the service members who lived there the! Official websites can be confusing or raise even more questions of what that entirely meant available military!, '' Select `` General FAQs: 1 like I was married, but simply having a balanced outlook your... Although they also require fees for their services to Europe once before, I. Been stationed overseas Tagged with: Germany, stationed in Germany, stationed overseas had spent weeks...

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