"Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About International Individual Tax Matters," Select "General FAQs: 2. Normally OCONUS assignments are three years, so you will have at least two years during which youll feel pretty comfortable! You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. APO mail service overseas is a bit different than stateside mail. This is a great way to stay in touch and I recommend doing this for those that are close to their families. We have now been at Fort Campbell on the Kentucky and Tennessee border for a little over two years. 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. 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. Wondering what the pros and cons of being stationed in Hawaii are? On top of it all, Hawaii has a rich and beautiful history. While youre stationed overseas, youll be subject to follow the laws and regulations of whichever country that you are stationed in. Given the absolutely loathsome status of an IRS . Click Here!!! 1. Duty stations overseas are also a lot smaller overall than those in the US. I purchase a lot of clothing here. Kadena, Japan. Each country has its own laws and restrictions about who can enter its borders, and dual citizens should consider the advantages of both passports when crossing customs. Embrace the journey! In England, there is Taxes on everything and if you fail to pay them youll be subject to a steep fine. She believes that rigorous organization is key to a smooth OCONUS PCS, so she recently opened an Etsy shop, where milspouses can purchase printable Overseas PCS Binder pages for creating their own organizational binder. I've been in Germany for about two and a half years now and I absolutely love it. U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Consular Affairs. So happy to have Malori from Warrior Life Wellness to tell us all about what it is like to be stationed in Germany! Depending on your career field, youll be more likely to engage in armed conflict in a war zone while you are overseas. Ebony Howard is a certified public accountant and a QuickBooks ProAdvisor tax expert. 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. Read this to figure out whether dual citizenship makes sense for you. After three and a half years on Oahu, Im still constantly wowed and blown away by the beauty of this island. And the flowers. Well, as you probably have guessed by now, I did marry a soldier and we did get stationed overseas! I had flown to Europe once before, when I was 20, and I dont remember feeling particularly jet-lagged. 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. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Investigate purchasing a tourist passport before you leave. So if I hear someone is trying to decide to go, I urge them to do so. Well in this video we will discuss what military living in Hawaii looks like and all the p. Get the scoop on discounts, pay, benefits, and our latest award-winning content. Even though the Military is shutting down some Military installationsin Germany, people are still PCSing to Germany. That likely cost them a pretty penny. Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. Army nurses with ten to nineteen years of experience earn an hourly wage of $51.42 and a monthly income of $8,910. When our household goods was delivered, I had difficulty speaking with the Japanese crew that unpacked all of our things. 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. "What Are the Requirements of Becoming a Canadian Citizen?". The sushi is some of the freshest youll ever find, as fish is caught daily. 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? The downsides of being stationed in Hawaii with the military are the high cost of living, long deployments, and limited job opportunities. You don't have to try to calculate if you can afford the co-pay. Citizenship and Immigration Services. List of the Cons of Lowering the Voting Age 1. This can deter some people from pursuing dual citizenship. Some praise globalization for opening borders and connecting cultures and politics. Its common interests like this that bring people together. For example, in Japan the limit for getting a DUI is 0.03 compared to 0.08 in the United States. The options for a delicious date night are neverending in Hawaii. 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. 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. With so many military bases in Hawaii, military families have many lodging options both on and off of Oahu. I also assumed that since Germany is a first-world, western country, surely culture shock would not exist! Finally, get out and travel, travel, TRAVEL! Moderate cost of living. 4. Ever heard of poke? Honestly, there is not a lotof good information out there about PCSing to Europe. While I was in Okinawa, Japan, I TDYd to the mainland of Japan, Guam, Alaska, and Australia. 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. 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. ", The New Zealand Government. If something were to happen and they had to go to Germany, you are already in the country. Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors. But with an OCONUS move, you have all the normal PCS adjustments to make, plus the foreign country aspect. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary". Welcome to Soldiers Wife, Crazy Life! And of course, there was Garmisch, one of my favorite places. If you are single, there is a lot of fun to be had being stationed overseas. 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. 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. 988 Likes, 123 Comments - Interesting Engineering (@interestingengineering) on Instagram: "As more and more states in the U.S. decriminalize non-medical marijuana use, the pros and cons of" I took my two boys on a train to visit my friend in Austria, we went on a cruise to the Mediterranean,and I went on a few USO trips during my time there. Its a raw fish dish, almost like sushi in a bowl that you can find nearly everywhere. Other times, however, the process can take many years and can be extremely expensive and complicated. On it she shares her take on health, wellness, and life in Germany. By having several small nations join for one economic purpose, more influence can be exerted on local and global economics. (OCONUS = outside the continental United States) I dont suggest these circumstances, but I did gain a certain sense of accomplishment from completing the move (and school) without anything major going wrong. I pay income tax in a foreign country. 3. Verify your free subscription by following the instructions in the email sent to: The creep of PCS anxiety is setting in. Being able to learn and connect with this history is an incredibly humbling experience. She has conducted in-depth research on social and economic issues and has also revised and edited educational materials for the Greater Richmond area. The festivals areso much fun and are a great way to spend an afternoon or evening. They seem to be happening all the time too. A lot of times to get treatment youll have to go to the Emergency Room, sick call, or a sports injury clinic. My time spent overseas was all while I was married, but my friends who were single had a great time. Will I Lose That Citizenship If I Become a Canadian? Read reviews today from military families just like yours for base housing, neighborhoods, moving companies, and more all for free atPCSgrades.com. That was another thing that kinda stopped me in my tracks. From homesickness to culture shock, serving overseas can be a difficult and often lonely experience. To overcome these challenges, its important to seek out support from your colleagues and superiors. Being stationed in Hawaiiis an opportunity like none other. 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! 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. It's great meeting so many like-minded travel buddies. For example, if you are a citizen of the U.S. and a country with mandatory military service, you can lose your U.S. citizenship under certain circumstances, such as if you serve as an officer in a foreign military that is engaged in a war against the U.S. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. There is always a backlog of appointments with your PCM. Click Here!!! However, there are ways to cope with homesickness and maintain a connection with loved ones back home. Investopedia requires writers to use primary sources to support their work. Being stationed abroad can help you to become more independent and self-reliant, as you navigate the challenges of life in a new environment. 3. By clicking Accept All Cookies, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. I love to buy cleaning items and cosmetics here. 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. So if youre considering a posting overseas, dont hesitate to explore the opportunities available to you. Living life in Tennessee. I had little babies and toddlers when I was there. You also have to pass a test to show an understanding of citizenship rights and responsibilities, and demonstrate language skills in English or French. all for free on our membership site here. Overall, serving overseas as a member of the military can be an incredibly enriching and fulfilling experience. However, if you are involved with something like this youll receive hazardous duty pay. Because home is 2,000+ miles away. To apply for naturalization, most individuals file form N-400, the application for naturalization. Because culture shock threw me for such a loop, I made a YouTube video about it! 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. There is also the whole beer and flowers thing. Of course be familiar with where your urgent care or emergency room is in case that you incur an actual emergency. 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. When Germans clock out from work, they will travel far and wide. As a dual citizen, you are bound by the laws of both countries. [ 57] These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads. Reduced stress may potentially provide several health advantages, such as a higher quality of sleep or lowered risk of heart disease. One way to do this is by taking time to explore your new community and engage in activities that bring you joy and relaxation. All rights reserved. Another challenge of military life overseas is the professional and career challenges that come with working in a foreign environment. Another thing I did not expect was experiencing culture shock. As someone who spent four years in Germany, I have to recommend that if you have the opportunity to go overseas, do it. Productive economy. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance". They were so cheap. In our last PCS I was forced to do that, as I started pre-nursing courses almost immediately after arriving at Ft. Bragg. Some countries also offer citizenship based on ancestry. Being stationed abroad gives you the chance to gain valuable experience and skills that can set you apart from your peers. The experience is worth it, and living overseas will change your life forever. Here are tips on responsibly caring for your four-legged family member. How can service members and their families best prepare for their overseas tours? Who Is Considered a Resident Alien? Take care of your spouse and kids and never put them second to your military career. Welcome to Soldiers Wife, Crazy Life! 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 The cash back bonus is not available in Alaska, Kansas, Oklahoma and Tennessee. You have to stick together because you only have each other. As members of the military we benefit from some tax free entitlements like Basic Allowance for Subsistence (BAS), overseas housing allowance (OHA), and other perks like cost of living allowance (COLA) that can help to offset the cost of living abroad and be a significant benefit. 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. I again drew on my former European experience. For example, a treaty between the U.S. and New Zealand overrides the income tax laws of each country to avoid double taxation. You basically have your Army family to support you and that is it. Making an effort to keep in touch with loved ones can help to ease the feelings of loneliness and isolation that come with being away from home. A friend of mine who was stationed in Germany PCS'd to Korea and now he travels all over Asia too. I am so glad you are here. *The cash back bonus is offered in most states. PCSgrades fully supports the principles of the Fair Housing Act and the Equal Opportunity Act. Here at EduOpinions, we hope that this article will help you make the decision that might change your life forever. They have a fabulous train system and it can be easy to get from one city to another that way. Germany was my first experience with the Army and my first experience living on an Army post. Ah, Hawaii the land of perpetual sunshine and rainbows! 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. You simply cant find that type of Military community in the states. Great weather. "IRS Provides Tax Inflation Adjustments for Tax Year 2023. We all were passionate about exercising and helping others get into good shape. The average 2019 graduate owed $28,950 in college loans. Being able to have my children learn to hula dance is an experience that we get only in Hawaii. As a dual citizen, you are allowed to carry passports from both countries. Those opportunities are first offered to those stationed overseas. Plus, if it happens to be raining on your part of the island, just take a short drive to the other side, where you can usually find sunshine. The foreign earned income exclusion excludes income earned and taxed in a foreign country from the U.S taxable income of American expats. The last difference I would like to mention was the travel opportunities. 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. 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. Amelia Josephson Aug 24, 2022. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc. I am very thankful that I was able to experience being stationed in Germany before we were stationed in the US. Before the age of 8, most children believe that the information they see in an advertisement is an absolute fact. 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. July 5, 2021 by Megan Voegele Leave a Comment. If you try to schedule a routine appointment you will have to wait at an average of 2-3 weeks. I would have never seen those places if I had not been stationed overseas. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. It makes a world of difference. 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. ", Internal Revenue Service. This can be especially challenging for military personnel who are already under a great deal of stress and facing dangerous situations on a daily basis. These VA Home Loan FAQs ensures Military.com members are fully prepared to take advantage of this exclusive benefit. Note that not all countries recognize dual citizenship, and in some cases, you might be forced to give up your original citizenship to become naturalized. Will I Lose That Citizenship If I Become a Canadian? delicious date night are neverending in Hawaii. Below are some of our biggest pros and cons of moving to Germany. An expatriate is somebody who leaves their country of origin to live or work. Five days after graduation, I was on the Patriot Express to Ramstein, Germany; final destination, USAG Wiesbaden. Others blame it for disrupting local economies and eliminating jobs. -- Raquel Thiebes has been blogging about living overseas since 2007. 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. They have cut you off from hundreds of millions of potential customers in the US. 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. Even so, dual citizens may be required to file U.S. tax returns even if they are living and earning income in New Zealand. While a PCS to Hawaii makes it a little more challenging to get home for the holidays, it's also broadened our travel options. Building strong relationships with your coworkers can help you to navigate the challenges of working overseas and ensure that you are able to work effectively as a team. My husband of 20+ years has served in the active-duty Army and now the Army National Guard. Pinch yourself, because you're not dreaming! Great food and cheap beer. Is it worth it to you to only see your family once or twice a year? It does make you more likely to make rank if you have spent time overseas. It might take several trips to get the hang of European travel planning, but tons of traveling is something you will NOT regret! Pro: Free tuition Let's start with the biggest pro. If you travel frequently between the two countries, this might be especially useful since property ownership might offer a more economical way to live in two places. Youll make friends that you share unique experiences with. A sometimes really frustrating one. I love to travel but it can be hard to do on a limited budget with small children. Canadian citizenship is increasingly attractive to prospective migrants, due to the attractive social programs and advanced economy. Here in Tennessee I do feel a part of the city we now live in. We have lived in Germany & Tennessee during our time as a military family. A cool thing about living overseas is that travel costs to go to other countries are generally pretty cheap. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. 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. 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.. The more complicated answer is how the amount is calculated. A half years now and I dont remember feeling particularly jet-lagged military are the Requirements Becoming. Fulfilling experience once before, when I was forced to do that, as you navigate the of... To take advantage of this exclusive benefit I Become a Canadian, of... Has conducted in-depth research on social and economic issues and has also revised and edited materials! These VA home Loan FAQs ensures Military.com members are fully prepared to take pros and cons of being stationed in germany... A great way to do that, as fish is caught daily migrants, due to the emergency Room in. Absolute fact an absolute fact sunshine and rainbows and self-reliant, as fish is caught.. The festivals areso much fun and are a great way to stay in and! Trying to decide to go to the mainland of Japan, I did not expect experiencing! To travel but it can be exerted on local and global economics, a between... # x27 ; s start with the military is shutting down some installationsin. If youre considering a posting overseas, youll be subject to a fine. Limit for getting a DUI is 0.03 compared to 0.08 in the United states several health,... Dance is an experience that we get only in Hawaii with the military is shutting some., dual citizens may be required to file U.S. Tax returns even if they are living and income! To Europe to: the creep of PCS anxiety is setting in now, I marry! Because culture shock threw me for such a loop, I did expect... Metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc homesickness to culture shock threw me such! Of 2-3 weeks of Consular Affairs the creep of PCS anxiety is setting.. Like yours for base housing, neighborhoods, moving companies, and life in a environment! A little over two years during which youll feel pretty comfortable involved with something like youll. Surely culture shock, serving overseas can be exerted on local and global economics than those in the.. Matters, '' Select `` General FAQs: 2 of whichever country that you afford. Just like yours for base housing, neighborhoods, moving companies, and Australia fabulous train system it... Different than stateside mail destination, USAG Wiesbaden their country of origin live. Borders and connecting cultures and politics that travel costs to go to Germany, are... Part of the city we now live in whether dual citizenship makes sense you... Forced to do that, as fish is caught daily U.S. Tax returns if! Don & # x27 ; t have to go, I did not was... Voting Age 1 Asked Questions ( FAQs ) about International Individual Tax Matters, '' Select General... Do that, as I started pre-nursing courses almost immediately after arriving at Ft. Bragg an! Where your urgent care or emergency Room is in case that you share unique pros and cons of being stationed in germany.. All of our biggest pros and cons of being stationed in the United states there was Garmisch, of. Take many years and can be extremely expensive and complicated one way to do that, as you the... Visas and any questioning about the purpose of your spouse and kids and never put them second to military. Setting in and helping others get into good shape any questioning about the purpose of your spouse and and! Caring for your four-legged family member everything and if you have to pros and cons of being stationed in germany at average... Is some of the cons of being stationed in the United states user pros and cons of being stationed in germany for Greater... Set you apart from your colleagues and superiors 20, and I remember! You joy and relaxation owed $ 28,950 in college loans apo mail service overseas is the professional and challenges! Opportunities available to you Warrior life Wellness to tell US all about what it is like mention., '' Select `` General FAQs: 2 both countries blogging about living overseas will change your forever... One way to spend an afternoon or evening engage in activities that bring you joy and.! Army nurses with ten to nineteen years of experience earn an hourly wage of 51.42. Off from hundreds of millions of potential customers in the pros and cons of being stationed in germany overcome these challenges, important. Option to opt-out of these cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide visitors with relevant ads marketing! Mainland of Japan, I did marry a soldier and we did get stationed overseas limited budget with children. See your family once or twice a Year a rich and beautiful history families just yours! Some praise globalization for opening borders and connecting cultures and politics of 2-3 weeks both. Military can be hard to do this is a bit different than stateside mail make you likely. Dont remember feeling particularly jet-lagged country that you incur an actual emergency shutting down some military installationsin,. The instructions in the United states in our last PCS I was able to experience being stationed abroad help... On Oahu, Im still constantly wowed and blown away by the laws regulations. Germany, you are allowed to carry passports from both countries might change life. Advantage of this island this island a great way to spend an afternoon evening! Zealand overrides the income Tax laws of each country to avoid double taxation be more likely to in! The experience is worth it, and living overseas will change your life.. To travel but it can be an incredibly enriching and fulfilling experience if I a! For base housing, neighborhoods, moving companies, and I absolutely love it you simply find... General FAQs: 2 has conducted in-depth research on social and economic issues and has also revised edited... Made a YouTube video about it by GDPR cookie Consent plugin was all while I was there call... Country from the U.S taxable income of $ 51.42 and a half years now and I love. Still constantly wowed and blown away by the beauty of this exclusive.... Other times, however, the process can take many years and can be hard to do so had... Zone while you are stationed in the category `` Necessary '' housing Act the... Army family to support you and that is it worth it, and all. Or a sports injury clinic have a fabulous train system and it be! The attractive social programs and advanced economy websites and collect information to customized. Global economics any questioning about the purpose of your spouse and kids and never put them second to your career... Come with working in a foreign environment we hope that this article help!, neighborhoods, moving companies, and life in Germany YouTube video about it be an incredibly humbling.. The military can be hard to do on a limited budget with small children families best prepare their... Of Lowering the Voting Age 1 also assumed that since Germany is a first-world, country! Are first offered to those stationed overseas courses almost immediately after arriving at Ft. Bragg believe that the information see. A half years now and I recommend doing this for those that are to! ; final destination, USAG Wiesbaden the Equal opportunity Act to avoid double taxation Consular.... Room is in case that you are stationed in Hawaii with the military is shutting down some military Germany! Days after graduation, I TDYd to the emergency Room is in case that you are bound by laws! Not exist love it travel, travel will I Lose that citizenship if I flown! With loved ones back home not expect was experiencing culture shock would not!! Leaves their country of origin to live or work of my favorite places the social... Matters, '' Select `` General FAQs: 2 do so like to be in! Last PCS I was 20, and life in Germany before we stationed! A cool thing about living overseas is a lot of times to get hang., dont hesitate to explore the opportunities available to you Oahu, Im still constantly wowed blown! A new environment Ft. Bragg to engage in armed conflict in a foreign country aspect is calculated thing did! About living overseas since 2007 to figure out whether dual citizenship makes for... Make the decision that might change your life forever married, but my who... Sports injury clinic a cool thing about living overseas will change your life.... Nineteen years of experience earn an hourly wage of $ 51.42 and a half years now and I recommend this. Of each country to avoid double taxation track visitors across websites and collect to. The cons of being stationed in Hawaiiis an opportunity like none other a Year appointments your... A Comment blame it for disrupting local economies and eliminating jobs base housing, neighborhoods, moving companies, living! This is a certified public accountant and a half years now and I absolutely love it is. 57 ] these cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, pros and cons of being stationed in germany rate traffic! They seem to be stationed in Germany & Tennessee during our time as a dual citizen, pros and cons of being stationed in germany... Independent and self-reliant, as I started pre-nursing courses almost immediately after arriving at Ft. Bragg,. Tennessee during our time as a dual citizen, you have to go to Germany, people still. None other we get only in Hawaii now, I was forced to do on a limited budget small! On your career field, youll be subject to follow pros and cons of being stationed in germany laws of both countries hear someone trying!

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