I think it gave me a good introduction into the military life because of the closeness of the American community over there. Because of this, you spend a lot of time there and not as much time away. An experience. 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. 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. 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. Sitting, talking, and having a long time at a restaurant is expected. Being stationed in Hawaiiis an opportunity like none other. Investigate purchasing a tourist passport before you leave. 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. With myself, I also had the added stress of studying for the NCLEX (RN nursing board exam), which I had to take in London, England. The downsides of being stationed in Hawaii with the military are the high cost of living, long deployments, and limited job opportunities. What makes a positive difference when moving to a foreign country is receiving your household goods. (Austria is also very different culturally from Germany, despite both being German-speaking countries.) ", U.S. If you own a small business youre self-employed of course, but spouses and members are not allowed by law to use the on base postal services on base to send or receive anything business related, so that option is extremely difficult as well if your spouse makes their living from ecommerce. Too many mosquitos, bugs, and pests. Wondering what the pros and cons of being stationed in Hawaii are? You mean I have to pay for that? Being a little closer to thewar zone has itsbenefits. 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. 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. Here's our easy PCS 101 IRRRL stands for Interest Rate Reduction Refinancing Loan,also known as a "Streamline" or a "VA to VA" loan. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. Other terms and conditions may apply. It might take several trips to get the hang of European travel planning, but tons of traveling is something you will NOT regret! In addition, the military also provides a range of support services, such as medical and dental care, that can help to ensure you and your family are well taken care of while you are stationed abroad. This includes the right to vote and stand in elections, and the right to make donations to political candidates. Something else I have a bad habit of doing for any PCS is to believe that I can jump into a routine right away. 1. 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. Sometimes the spouse thinks about staying in the US. Reduced stress may potentially provide several health advantages, such as a higher quality of sleep or lowered risk of heart disease. 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. Amazon.de is very popular in Germany, and you can save the VAT tax when you have things sent to your German address. 3. The past 50 years in Europe have been some of the most peaceful out of the last 1,000 years of history. A PCS to Hawaii also means learning and embracing Hawaiian customs, which you can learn more about here. Internal Revenue Service. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience. "I-485, Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status. Writer, reader, coffee drinker. Once I learned to appreciate the beauty around me, however, Hawaii quickly became a favorite duty station. Please let me know if you would like to guest post about where you are stationed! The simple answer is, yes; your service member will still receive BAH for their family when they go unaccompanied. From homesickness to culture shock, serving overseas can be a difficult and often lonely experience. Many fun things to do. Since a blog post can only be so long, Ill leave my advice and tips at that. 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. The Big Island is my favorite and taking a helicopter tour over a live volcano is near the top of my all-time best experiences list! A citizen test is a key criteria test set forth by the IRS that an individual must satisfy in order to be claimed as another persons dependent. A sometimes really amazing one. There have been fewer wars fought on the continent then at any time since the reign of the Roman Empire over the region. Investopedia requires writers to use primary sources to support their work. I used to buy flowers all the time. I am so glad you are here. Normally OCONUS assignments are three years, so you will have at least two years during which youll feel pretty comfortable! Connect with Malori on YouTube, Instagram, and Facebook! I felt like I got run over by a bus every day for at least two weeks! Traveling wasnt easy but we did what we could. This is the case with NAFTA, which was renegotiated by the Trump administration in 2020 as the United States-Mexico . The cotton candy sunsets and lush mountain scenery make it easy tofall in love with the land. If you are ever in a solo PCS situation, especially overseas, get your family or close friends to help! It may help teachers feel refreshed and support a good work-life balance. Dual citizenship happens automatically in some situations, such as when a child is born in the U.S. to parents who are residents of a foreign country. Are you preparing for a PCS to Hawaii? In some states a gift card or commission reduction at closing may be provided in lieu of the cash back bonus. There is also the whole beer and flowers thing. Amelia Josephson Aug 24, 2022. Duty stations overseas are also a lot smaller overall than those in the US. You have to stick together because you only have each other. When would you ever be able to travel to a foreign country to live without breaking the bank? Remember, accepting an overseas assignment comes with an additional service commitment that will require you to stay for anywhere from 2-4 years before you can PCS which can feel like a long time. Some people save throughout their entire lifetime to be able to spend just a week in the islands. Im sure even military PT cant be too terrible when it consists of surfing or playing football on the beach! Who Is Considered a Resident Alien? Primark This is one my favorite stores. If you can't fit in smaller sized clothing, you will be forced to order online. I also assumed that since Germany is a first-world, western country, surely culture shock would not exist! A sometimes really frustrating one. 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. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other. Best Air Force Bases Overseas. 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 would have never seen those places if I had not been stationed overseas. This is not a solicitation if you are already represented by a real estate broker. Here in Tennessee I do feel a part of the city we now live in. 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. Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet. Citizenship and Immigration Services. Being stationed in Hawaii is being stationed in paradise. Bonds with students. Obviously, there are pros and cons to being stationed overseas. All of these things will prevent you from getting sick and spending hours to be seen at a sick call. How can service members and their families best prepare for their overseas tours? It felt as though it was always their town and it wasnt mine. Take care of your spouse and kids and never put them second to your military career. Other eligibility requirements include being at least 18 years old when you apply and being able to read, write, and speak basic English. July 5, 2021 by Megan Voegele Leave a Comment. Even though I wouldnt consider myself an outdoorsy person, spending time outside picnicking or paddleboarding are enjoyable any time of year with the mild weather. Mom to three boys, wife of a National Guard soldier. 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. "What Are the Requirements of Becoming a Canadian Citizen?". The torturous inner dialogue within ourselves is, Do I look, or do I wait?. Another benefit of dual citizenship is the ability to own property in either country. Embrace the journey! It does make you more likely to make rank if you have spent time overseas. Please check with a program Customer Service Representative for details. My husband of 20+ years has served in the active-duty Army and now the Army National Guard. Access FREE resources and reviews about on and off-base housing, cost of living, local events, and more. Whether youre missing family, friends, or even pets, homesickness can be a major issue for many military personnel. Medical care while stationed overseas is somewhat minimal. That's why I started blogging about the overseas experience. All of this creates a pretty tight community. Just travel as much as you can because you will not get this kind of opportunity in your life again. 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. I pay income tax in a foreign country. Being in the military, you will be able to submerge yourself in a foreign local culture completely on the governments dime and have experiences that youll never have in the continental United States. Learn everything you need to know here. Because home is 2,000+ miles away. Additionally, traveling home on leave will be very expensive. 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. 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. Additionally, seeking support from fellow military personnel and expatriates can help to alleviate feelings of homesickness. Even simple drives to a local park or convenience store have opened my eyes to beauty that I had never noticed before. Learning about the culture, language, and customs of your new home can help you to feel more prepared and confident when you arrive. However, there are ways to overcome culture shock and make the most of your time abroad. 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. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc. I always felt that we should be taking advantage of traveling in Europe while we were there. Whether through texting, phone calls, facetime, email, or even regular letters, staying connected to your support network can help to ease the feelings of loneliness and isolation. Air Force COOL Program: Credentialing Opportunities, 2023 Air Force Physical Fitness Assessment, 2A5X1 Airlift and Special Mission Aircraft Maintenance, Pros and Cons of Being Stationed Overseas: Military Perspective. 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. Whether you are looking to travel with a family in Germany, are just are wanting to explore the beautiful country, Hohenfels is an amazing place to be stationed at if you want to travel! Well, as you probably have guessed by now, I did marry a soldier and we did get stationed overseas! My husband of 20+ years has served in the active-duty Army and now the Army National Guard. *The cash back bonus is offered in most states. Program terms and conditions are subject to change at any time without notice. The more of the local language that you know at your overseas base, the better. 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). A Social Security number (SSN) is a numerical identifier assigned to U.S. citizens and some residents to track their income and determine benefits. 22 Pros Of Living In Germany Pro #1 - Efficient Public Transportation Pro #2 - Cycling Is Quite Common Pro #3 - University Is Affordable Pro #4 - Punctuality Pro #5 - Low Crime Rates Pro #6 - A Lot Of Green Areas In Cities Pro #7 - Comprehensive Welfare System Pro #8 - Same-Sex Marriages Are Recognized 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. An army nurse who has been working for five to nine years will see an annual increase in their pay to $86,090. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. In addition to the career benefits, serving overseas can also help you to grow personally. With crystal clear turquoise waters, white powdery beaches, and bright blue skies, Hawaii will likely be like nothing you've ever seen before. . Dual citizens can receive the benefits and privileges offered by each country where they are a citizen. Basic needs such as food, electricity, internet and clothing are all relatively affordable. 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. My name is Julie and I have been a military spouse for 17 years! My wife and I had a regular schedule where we FaceTimed her family and mine every single week. . It really does take several weeks to get over jet lag! Why? Pros: Germany's food costs are reasonable. That's why there are generally laws that limit how infrequently a company can pay its employees. 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. The lack of craft stores and chain restaurants, like Olive Garden and Sonic, made me long for the mainland.
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