After three and a half years on Oahu, Im still constantly wowed and blown away by the beauty of this island. ", Government of Canada. These experiences can help you to broaden your horizons and develop new interests, leading to a more well-rounded and fulfilling life. It creates a more influential economic block. Pro: Free tuition Let's start with the biggest pro. Furthermore, being stationed overseas can also help to improve your language skills. In addition to the professional and career challenges, there are also financial challenges associated with military life overseas. By clicking Accept, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. Being stationed in Hawaii is being stationed in paradise. All of this creates a pretty tight community. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance". 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-485, Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status. 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. If you are close to your family, you may feel disconnected from them being on the other side of the world. "United States - New Zealand Income Tax Convention," Pages 20-21. 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. 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. That gets you about 3-4 beers in Germany. Welcome to Soldiers Wife, Crazy Life! All of these things will prevent you from getting sick and spending hours to be seen at a sick call. I even have experience with German culture, from doing Bavarian folk dancing and taking over four years of German language courses. 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. Because home is 2,000+ miles away. Verify your free subscription by following the instructions in the email sent to: The creep of PCS anxiety is setting in. 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. In other words, they're going to. et.c.. Its easy to miss the comfort dishes from home, but being the melting pot that it is, Hawaii offers the opportunity to discover new tastes from around the world! The obligation to serve if asked was an accepted feature of life . Like I stated earlier, some military members love being stationed overseas and some people hate it, but like anything else, it will be what you make of it. Its a coin flip if they speak English or not. As military families, some of us have the opportunity PCS to Hawaii, living here for years at a time and getting paid for doing so! Beer everywhere. An experience. Those opportunities are first offered to those stationed overseas. 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. All rights reserved. Of course be familiar with where your urgent care or emergency room is in case that you incur an actual emergency. Dual citizens can participate fully in the political life of every country where they have citizenship. On the other hand, it can bring homesickness, culture shock, and professional difficulties. So Your Spouse Just Deployed??? If you try to schedule a routine appointment you will have to wait at an average of 2-3 weeks. 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. How can service members and their families best prepare for their overseas tours? Something else I have a bad habit of doing for any PCS is to believe that I can jump into a routine right away. *The cash back bonus is offered in most states. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. (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. . It might take several trips to get the hang of European travel planning, but tons of traveling is something you will NOT regret! 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. ", Internal Revenue Service. 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 cotton candy sunsets and lush mountain scenery make it easy tofall in love with the land. However, if you are involved with something like this youll receive hazardous duty pay. Obviously there are a lot of great places to travel in Europe. Make a list of your dream travel list, and then strategically plan your year according to the training holiday schedule. She has some great advice for anyone who will be pcsing to Germany anytime soon. I miss that. It does make you more likely to make rank if you have spent time overseas. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. 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%). Now, lets dive into the various advantages of military life overseas. I love to buy cleaning items and cosmetics here. Living here has afforded our family the opportunity to learn so much about a culture different from our own. Its a monumental task, but you will be forever grateful for it. 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. Investopedia requires writers to use primary sources to support their work. 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. I again drew on my former European experience. The easiest way to become a dual citizen is by birth, although many migrants can become naturalized citizens when they move to a new country or marry a foreign spouse. For example, you may have the opportunity to learn new hobbies or sports, explore new cities, or meet new people. Other times, however, the process can take many years and can be extremely expensive and complicated. These VA Home Loan FAQs ensures Military.com members are fully prepared to take advantage of this exclusive benefit. 27 Things You Must Know Before PCSing to Germany, By Do I Have To Report Income From Foreign Sources? What makes a positive difference when moving to a foreign country is receiving your household goods. Around each of the military bases in Hawaii, you can find housing and other buildings dating back to the WWII era. This meant I had the pleasure of handling our first OCONUS PCS alone.while finishing nursing school. Others blame it for disrupting local economies and eliminating jobs. Hearing that you're going to be stationed in Germany is always super exciting news. Not every country recognizes dual citizenship, and you may need to renounce your birth citizenship to become a citizen of a new country. The last difference I would like to mention was the travel opportunities. For example, in Okinawa you can travel to the mainland of Japan for less than a hundred dollars for a round trip ticket. That pretty much means if you have one beer and drive home, you could get a DUI in Japan. 6. My name is Julie and I have been a military spouse for 17 years! It may help teachers feel refreshed and support a good work-life balance. Here are five great tips for ways military families can tackle their next PCS and still be smart about money. 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. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience. Immigration lawyers can help individuals achieve citizenship, although they also require fees for their services. ", U.S. You are not rushed out in the same way. Culture shock can be especially pronounced in countries with different social norms, customs, and traditions, making it difficult to navigate daily life. The cash back bonus is only available with the purchase and/or sale of your home through the use of a participating program real estate agent. In general, U.S. policy recognizes that dual citizens might be legally obligated to fulfill military obligations abroad, and many can do so without jeopardizing their U.S. citizen status, but it is important to research each situation carefully. This means that you do not get to bring your family, but as long as you stay out of trouble, it sets you apart from your peers in the next promotion cycle when you get your follow on assignment. My name is Julie and I have been a military spouse for 17 years! Failing to follow a legal order from the government can result in fines, jail time, or worse in some countries. As a family member, a soldier and then as a spouse, I have been through numerous tours in both Germany and Belgium. 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! This is a great way to stay in touch and I recommend doing this for those that are close to their families. Having to depend on the military for almost everything gave me a good idea of what the Army life was like. Hohenfels to Paris: 8 hours. Citizenship and Immigration Services. The migrants are more hardworking and enthusiastic for the work and they provide proactive productivity. So with an overseas move, Id say to give yourself at least six months to feel fully adjusted, if not one year. ", U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Consular Affairs. "Dual Nationality. Youll also have to play in exercises in chem gear which is not anyones idea of a good time. Jobs at military bases overseas are hard to come by for military spouses and they are very competitive. Being stationed overseas as a military member comes with a unique set of challenges and benefits. With an average of 271 days of sunshine a year and temperatures that typically hover between 70 and 80 degrees year-round, the weather on Oahu truly feels like paradise! The average price for a beer in NYC is about $7. Great food and cheap beer. Bonds with students. If we spent a weekend just staying at home I always felt like I was missing out on something. Read reviews today from military families just like yours for base housing, neighborhoods, moving companies, and more all for free atPCSgrades.com. Do I still have to file a U.S. income tax return even though I do not live in the United States? To apply for permanent residency, most individuals file form 1-485, Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status. U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Consular Affairs. Vikki Velasquez is a researcher and writer who has managed, coordinated, and directed various community and nonprofit organizations. Is it worth it to you to only see your family once or twice a year? I joined a running club to make some friends with common interests. 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. Make sure you have renter's insurance. 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). You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. For example, they may travel to receive medical treatment or procedures that are not available in the other country of their citizenship. The past 50 years in Europe have been some of the most peaceful out of the last 1,000 years of history. On top of it all, Hawaii has a rich and beautiful history. However, if you want more support in your OCONUS PCS and adjustment period, come find me on YouTube! Description A federation is a state consisting of two political levels. For example, in Japan the limit for getting a DUI is 0.03 compared to 0.08 in the United States. 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. In the event of an emergency, you are like 24-48 hours (at an absolute minimum) from getting back to them. With so many military bases in Hawaii, military families have many lodging options both on and off of Oahu. I love helping other milspouses in their move to another country. There is also the whole beer and flowers thing. I even have experience with German culture, from doing Bavarian folk dancing and taking over four years of German language courses. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. Take care of yourself while you are stationed overseas. Owner of Soldier's Wife, Crazy Life. ", Government of Canada. We have three boys and have been through four deployments together. For individuals who are dual citizens of the U.S. and another country, the U.S. imposes taxes on its citizens for income earned anywhere in the world. 7. If you are seeking a position with the U.S government or your job requires access to information that is considered classified by the U.S. government, having dual citizenship may bar you from gaining the security clearance you need for this type of employment. Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. Ah, Hawaii the land of perpetual sunshine and rainbows! My wife and I had a regular schedule where we FaceTimed her family and mine every single week. Even so, dual citizens may be required to file U.S. tax returns even if they are living and earning income in New Zealand. I also assumed that since Germany is a first-world, western country, surely culture shock would not exist! If the dependents stay in the same location, BAH will remain at the same rate. I know of spouses with graduate degrees that cant get a job at our base besides fast food and retail. Too many mosquitos, bugs, and pests. That was hard for me when we had our first deployment in the US. Because of this, you spend a lot of time there and not as much time away. The program is not available for employer- sponsored relocations or transactions in Iowa or outside the United States. Sometimes COLA will not even cover the actual difference of the cost of living versus the United States. We all were passionate about exercising and helping others get into good shape. Not all countries allow dual citizenship, but the United States does. 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. So he did the geo-bachelor life for about three months. One way to do this is by taking time to explore your new community and engage in activities that bring you joy and relaxation. From cultural immersion to career opportunities, serving abroad has the potential to be an incredibly enriching experience. It also helps to meet your neighbors and to make at least one close friend with whom you can commiserate and go through this unique experience together. It's interesting to learn the pros and cons of abortion as it offers us a great insight about . That likely cost them a pretty penny. Being able to learn and connect with this history is an incredibly humbling experience. Not all family members can visit those stationed overseas. Five days after graduation, I was on the Patriot Express to Ramstein, Germany; final destination, USAG Wiesbaden. Another challenge that comes with being stationed overseas is the culture shock that often arises when transitioning to a new environment. Amazon.de is very popular in Germany, and you can save the VAT tax when you have things sent to your German address. Investigate purchasing a tourist passport before you leave. Given the absolutely loathsome status of an IRS . I am so glad you are here. The cost of living in foreign countries can be significantly higher than in the United States, which can put a strain on your finances. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. A sometimes really frustrating one. Writer, reader, coffee drinker. Life was like ensures Military.com members are fully prepared to take advantage of this, you get... To wait at an absolute minimum ) from getting sick and spending hours to be seen a. Advantages of military life overseas tax Convention, pros and cons of being stationed in germany Pages 20-21 bad habit of doing for PCS! All family members can visit those stationed overseas can also help to improve experience... 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