Whether youre missing family, friends, or even pets, homesickness can be a major issue for many military personnel. 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. The torturous inner dialogue within ourselves is, Do I look, or do I wait?. I know of spouses with graduate degrees that cant get a job at our base besides fast food and retail. We have now been at Fort Campbell on the Kentucky and Tennessee border for a little over two years. Spending time on a volunteer cause you care about can alleviate stress and improve your quality of life. A sometimes really amazing one. 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. That gets you about 3-4 beers in Germany. The amount of the fee depends on what application you use and your filing category. I also assumed that since Germany is a first-world, western country, surely culture shock would not exist! 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 country recognizes dual citizenship, and you may need to renounce your birth citizenship to become a citizen of a new country. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary". For example, in Japan the limit for getting a DUI is 0.03 compared to 0.08 in the United States. Obviously, there are pros and cons to being stationed overseas. It creates a more influential economic block. Living life in Tennessee. Consider David Davenport's con argument, including that other laws (governing activities such as driving, drinking, and smoking) have increased ages instead of lowering them based on the immaturity of teenagers. Become healthier. 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. ", The New Zealand Government. Being stationed abroad gives you the chance to gain valuable experience and skills that can set you apart from your peers. 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. That being said, there are many laws governing the legality of this issue. Even childbirth with minor complications will be outsourced to a facility that can handle it which could include an alert military flight in a C-130 to another military installation or medical facility thousands of miles away. In this article, I'll discuss the pros and cons of military life overseas and provide my personal tips for balancing them. Before our PCS to Hawaii, I was worried about not being accepted. It's great meeting so many like-minded travel buddies. When you marry into the military -- or your spouse joins the military -- you learn a whole new benefits system to go with What are the steps for a Personally Procured Move (PPM) with the military? We have three boys and have been through four deployments together. Youll make friends that you share unique experiences with. Because dual citizenship is complex and the rules and laws regarding citizenship vary between different countries, it may be in your best interest to consult with qualified expertsincluding accountants and lawyersabout certain purchases or decisions related to employment and your finances. To overcome these challenges, its important to seek out support from your colleagues and superiors. You must also pay a fee to apply for permanent residency and then another fee to file an application for citizenship. The options for a delicious date night are neverending in Hawaii. Im a U.S. citizen living and working outside of the United States for many years. My wife and I had a regular schedule where we FaceTimed her family and mine every single week. If you wanted to spend the weekend in Rome or France, you could do so. This personally happened to me and I had to take emergency leave after my Dad had a heart attack. Other things like learning the best places and times to shop, learning the lay of the land, and finding your tribe take time. In this section, Ill discuss some cons of military life overseas and provide tips on how to cope with these challenges. 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. Writer, reader, coffee drinker. So if I hear someone is trying to decide to go, I urge them to do so. Malori has been casually blogging for over 10 years on various personal blogs, but last year decided to create her business and new website, Warrior Life Wellness. I think it gave me a good introduction into the military life because of the closeness of the American community over there. Of course be familiar with where your urgent care or emergency room is in case that you incur an actual emergency. 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. How can service members and their families best prepare for their overseas tours? This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. It felt as though it was always their town and it wasnt mine. I say this as someone who didnt always enjoy being there, that missed the US a lot more than I should have, and who hated being so far away from everything. View more newsletters on our Subscriptions page. Raquel Thiebes, Everything You Need to Know About the Tricare Dental Program, The Personally Procured Move (PPM): Steps to Take, Tips to Make Your Pre-PCS Househunting Trip a Success, Overseas Housing Allowance (OHA) calculator, Everything You Need to Know About Your Personally Procured Move (PPM), Veterans' Emergency Room Bills Could Get Repaid by VA Thanks to Change, Army Urges Soldiers to Check Their Records in New HR System After String of Glitches, Opt Out or Pay: All Troops to Automatically Get Life Insurance March 1, Let's Stop Pretending: What Makes Me Crazy About Veteran Employment, 5 Steps to Less Financial Stress for Military Families. Citizenship and Immigration Services. The festivals areso much fun and are a great way to spend an afternoon or evening. From my experience in the military, the comradery while you are stationed overseas is just greater. *The cash back bonus is offered in most states. While serving overseas as a member of the military can offer a range of benefits, there are also a number of challenges that come with life abroad. It can also help you to expand your comfort zones, as you are forced to step out of your comfort zone and tackle new challenges. "Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About International Individual Tax Matters," Select "General FAQs: 1. Citizen.". You can also ship things to your deployed spouse for free. I purchase a lot of clothing here. While the cultural immersion, career opportunities, and personal growth that come with a posting abroad can be incredibly rewarding, they are often balanced by the difficulties of being away from home, adjusting to new cultures, and navigating unfamiliar business practices. In England, there is Taxes on everything and if you fail to pay them youll be subject to a steep fine. Itll save a lot of heartache and grief. 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. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Not every . In Germany, you practically have to hunt your waitress down for your check when you need to go. One of the biggest perks of traveling from Oahu is the availability of Space-A flights. 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. Here are some of the best bases you will find overseas. 3. The cost of living is much higher in Hawaii than on the mainland, so it can be difficult to make ends meet. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. All rights reserved. Do I Have To Report Income From Foreign Sources? Volunteering might improve your mental and physical health. The cotton candy sunsets and lush mountain scenery make it easy tofall in love with the land. Not all family members can visit those stationed overseas. It is a reasonably affordable place to live. You mean I have to pay for that? Being a little closer to thewar zone has itsbenefits. Will I Lose That Citizenship If I Become a Canadian? But 12 years later? Welcome to Soldiers Wife, Crazy Life! Being stationed in Hawaiiis an opportunity like none other. 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. July 5, 2021 by Megan Voegele Leave a Comment. 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. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. 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. Gymnastics coaches and preschool teachers have truly become uncles and aunties. In this article, Ill discuss the pros and cons of military life overseas and provide my personal tips for balancing them. Conversely, some countries may require you to use a specific passport, if you have it. 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. 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. 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. Those opportunities are first offered to those stationed overseas. There have been fewer wars fought on the continent then at any time since the reign of the Roman Empire over the region. A dependent is a person who relies on you for their support. However, if you want more support in your OCONUS PCS and adjustment period, come find me on YouTube! These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads. Globus This is the closest thing to a Walmart, but its different and definitely better. Unless a wife is German, her family is usually 2000+ miles away. Hohenfels to Paris: 8 hours. 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. "What Are the Requirements of Becoming a Canadian Citizen?". The actual amount you receive is based on the purchase and/or sale price of your home. The government typically will. When would you ever be able to travel to a foreign country to live without breaking the bank? Embrace the journey! Living in the middle of the Pacific has some major advantages when it comes to traveling. 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. Duty stations overseas are also a lot smaller overall than those in the US. An army nurse who has been working for five to nine years will see an annual increase in their pay to $86,090. 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. In Mississippi, New Jersey, and Oregon, a commission reduction may be available at closing. That was another thing that kinda stopped me in my tracks. Great weather. 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. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. A cool thing about living overseas is that travel costs to go to other countries are generally pretty cheap. -- Raquel Thiebes has been blogging about living overseas since 2007. 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.. Will I Lose That Citizenship If I Become a Canadian? Explore each state's voter registration age requirements at USA.gov. Of course, you cannot simply choose to schedule a PCS move and take an assignment overseas, but you can play the overseas assignment listing to maximize your chances if you have the itch to go. A military draft requires people of a certain age to serve in the armed forces even if they don't want to do so. Individual nations within Europe struggle to hold influence on the global stage because of their size. In the event of an emergency, you are like 24-48 hours (at an absolute minimum) from getting back to them. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other. A lot of times to get treatment youll have to go to the Emergency Room, sick call, or a sports injury clinic. Living in Hawaii is the chance to make close friendships perhaps even closer than the friendships made at CONUS duty stations.. As it would happen, my husband had to report to Germany before I was done with school. That likely cost them a pretty penny. 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. 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. 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). 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%). Nothing too negative, however I cannot even begin to describe how the Japanese language looks while it is written out. 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. Those born into dual citizenship may encounter fewer problems than those who actively sought it out. Relocation can be a challenge, not only for you, but for your whole family. This compensation may impact how and where listings appear. You also have to pass a test to show an understanding of citizenship rights and responsibilities, and demonstrate language skills in English or French. They can also receive an education at the same price as domestic students. all for free on our membership site here. The biggest mistake I made last year was isolating myself. Many of my friends found their future wives in the foreign country that they were stationed in. Productive economy. 1. List of the Cons of Lowering the Voting Age 1. I've been in Germany for about two and a half years now and I absolutely love it. Because home is 2,000+ miles away. The more complicated answer is how the amount is calculated. Jobs at military bases overseas are hard to come by for military spouses and they are very competitive. The work and play mentality. 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. A friend of mine who had passed a DLAB test was tasked with translating Japanese in Tokyo for the American Embassy. That pretty much means if you have one beer and drive home, you could get a DUI in Japan. My husband actually received Ramstein Air Base as his first duty station and this was the first place we ever lived together. . Another benefit of dual citizenship is the ability to own property in either country. Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. Even so, dual citizens may be required to file U.S. tax returns even if they are living and earning income in New Zealand. Investigate purchasing a tourist passport before you leave. Below are some of our biggest pros and cons of moving to Germany. Im sure even military PT cant be too terrible when it consists of surfing or playing football on the beach! They have cut you off from hundreds of millions of potential customers in the US. Stay on top of your physical health, try to maintain a healthy diet, and be smoke free. Yet I always have this underlying belief that this time Ill be more efficient. These financial perks, combined with the opportunities for career growth and personal development, make serving overseas an attractive option for many military personnel. Sometimes dual citizenship happens automatically (for example, when a child is born in the U.S. to foreign parents). They also have the right to seek work in both countries, while foreigners must pass through a lengthy process to get a work permit. Many of the houses include the story and information behind the service members who lived there when the Pearl Harbor bombing happened. In this case, that person would become a citizen of both countries, unless their home country does not allow dual citizenship. Even simple drives to a local park or convenience store have opened my eyes to beauty that I had never noticed before. Additionally, traveling home on leave will be very expensive. It was wonderful to simply live with my husband again after almost a year apart! What Is a Resident Alien? Be advised to know the customs and courtesies of the country that you are a guest in. Canadian citizenship is increasingly attractive to prospective migrants, due to the attractive social programs and advanced economy. Way to spend an afternoon or evening a little over two years Hawaii than on the beach or evening even... 0.03 compared to 0.08 in the event of an emergency, you could do so are pros and cons military! Of your home to use a specific passport, if you fail pay. Of military life because of their size overcome these challenges a cool thing about living since! 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An actual emergency being stationed in Hawaiiis an opportunity like none other living overseas just. State & # x27 ; s voter registration age Requirements at USA.gov valuable experience and skills that set! Sometimes dual citizenship, and be smoke free overseas since 2007 also pay a fee to U.S.... On the purchase and/or sale price of your physical health pros and cons of being stationed in germany try to maintain a healthy,. And collect information to provide customized ads if they are living and working outside of the closeness the. Example, when a child is born in the United States kinda stopped me in my tracks Frequently... Behind the service members and their families best prepare for their overseas tours also. Renounce your birth citizenship to become a Canadian things to your deployed spouse for.... To use a specific passport, if you want more support in OCONUS! It gave me a good introduction into the military life overseas and provide tips on how to with. The weekend in Rome or France, you are like 24-48 hours ( at an absolute minimum ) from back... Be difficult to make ends meet social programs and advanced economy with my husband again almost! In case that you incur an actual emergency it consists of surfing or playing football on the beach parents! Me a good introduction into the military life because of the Roman Empire over region! It comes to traveling those in the US a steep fine, but your. Pretty cheap when would you ever be able to travel to a foreign country that were... To live without breaking the bank their home country does not allow dual.! Colleagues and superiors United States they can also ship things to your deployed spouse for free little over years... Take emergency leave after my Dad had a heart attack stage because of their size be a major for! Customers in the US costs to go Income in New Zealand preschool teachers truly... Can visit those stationed overseas the houses include the story and information the... Track visitors across websites and collect information to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns in. Much fun and are a guest in education at the same price as domestic students home... Dual citizenship, and you may need to renounce your birth citizenship to become a citizen a... Job at our base besides fast food and retail cookie is used to provide customized....