Individual nations within Europe struggle to hold influence on the global stage because of their size. *The cash back bonus is offered in most states. Our first duty station, Schweinfurt only had about 3000 soldiers. 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. Lowering the voting age could lead to manipulated voting patterns. Ebony Howard is a certified public accountant and a QuickBooks ProAdvisor tax expert. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other. There are also specific rules tied to being here with the military, like how to use VAT forms, what you cannot have sent to your APO box, getting your home-based business approved, and more. My parents came for my graduation and to help with the last-minute PCS tasks, like overseeing the movers. Become healthier. We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously. Obviously, there are pros and cons to being stationed overseas. My husband of 20+ years has served in the active-duty Army and now the Army National Guard. (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. Overall, serving overseas as a member of the military can be an incredibly enriching and fulfilling experience. Not all countries allow dual citizenship, but the United States does. I knew we were in for the adventure of a lifetime, but I did not have proper expectations of what that entirely meant. So Your Spouse Just Deployed??? We even had a beer delivery truck. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc. List of the Cons of Lowering the Voting Age 1. However, if you want more support in your OCONUS PCS and adjustment period, come find me on YouTube! Expect that you will have a significant adjustment period to the culture. They also have the right to seek work in both countries, while foreigners must pass through a lengthy process to get a work permit. When Germans clock out from work, they will travel far and wide. This can deter some people from pursuing dual citizenship. But 12 years later? This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. 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. Obviously there are a lot of great places to travel in Europe. I Am A Citizen of Another Country. For example, in the US, when you go out to eat, you are pretty much rushed out of the restaurant as soon as you eat your food. You will find that the cost of living in Germany is much better for most households of any size compared to what you would pay to live somewhere like Boston, New York City, or even Chicago. Im a combination introvert/extrovert, and after nursing school my extrovert was burnt out. From cultural immersion to career opportunities, serving abroad has the potential to be an incredibly enriching experience. Just like any other duty station, Hawaii is what you make of it. However, I never felt like I was really a part of the German community. Depending on your career path, dual citizenship can be a disadvantage. 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. No one is going home for the weekend or on a regular basis. My kids were only 3 and 5 when we moved back. Obviously, there are pros and cons to being stationed overseas. They have a fabulous train system and it can be easy to get from one city to another that way. ", Government of Canada. So with an overseas move, Id say to give yourself at least six months to feel fully adjusted, if not one year. When we were in Germany I did enjoy going on walks around my local village or eating at certain German restaurants. all for free on our membership site here. 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. 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. Also, make sure that you do not shine a negative light on the uniform that we put on every day. If you are single, there is a lot of fun to be had being stationed overseas. Process for Gaining Dual Citizenship in the United States, Expatriate (Expat): Definition, With Pros/Cons of Living Abroad, Dependents: Definition, Types, and Tax Credits, What Is a SSN? That pretty much means if you have one beer and drive home, you could get a DUI in Japan. Navigating foreign business practices, dealing with language barriers, and communicating with colleagues from different cultures can all be difficult and time-consuming. There is also the whole beer and flowers thing. 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). Volunteering might improve your mental and physical health. You basically have your Army family to support you and that is it. 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. It does not store any personal data. 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. Ive had many friends end up losing stripes and getting in trouble because they did not understand that law. The experience is worth it, and living overseas will change your life forever. What Is a Resident Alien? Whether youre stationed in Europe, Asia, Africa or South America, youll have the chance to learn about and experience new customs, traditions, and ways of life. One of the biggest challenges of serving overseas is the difficulty of being away from loved ones. 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. 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. This exposure to different cultures can broaden your perspective and help you to better understand and appreciate the world around you. Sometimes COLA will not even cover the actual difference of the cost of living versus the United States. "IRS Provides Tax Inflation Adjustments for Tax Year 2023. In some ways, Germans are a lot like us, in other ways they are completely different. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Embrace the journey! Qualifying for Social Security as a Legal Immigrant, 5 Countries With Easy Citizenship for Retirement, Going Back to India to Retire: A How-to Guide, 5 Developed Countries for Easy Residency or Citizenship, 5 of the Hardest Countries for Obtaining Citizenship. List of the Pros of Living in Germany 1. Jean Folger has 15+ years of experience as a financial writer covering real estate, investing, active trading, the economy, and retirement planning. 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. Jobs at military bases overseas are hard to come by for military spouses and they are very competitive. The average price for a beer in NYC is about $7. 45 million Americans have student loan debt, and 7.5 million of those borrowers are in default. In addition to the professional and career challenges, there are also financial challenges associated with military life overseas. Investigate purchasing a tourist passport before you leave. In this article, I'll discuss the pros and cons of military life overseas and provide my personal tips for balancing them. 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. Similarly, if a child of U.S. citizens is born overseas, they may automatically become a citizen of both the U.S. and their country of birth (although this is situational because it depends on that specific countrys laws). 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. With so many military bases in Hawaii, military families have many lodging options both on and off of Oahu. So happy to have Malori from Warrior Life Wellness to tell us all about what it is like to be stationed in Germany! 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! Depending on your career field, youll be more likely to engage in armed conflict in a war zone while you are overseas. When my husband Mark received orders for Germany in 2017, he was deployed to east Africa. Relocation can be a challenge, not only for you, but for your whole family. Canadian citizenship is increasingly attractive to prospective migrants, due to the attractive social programs and advanced economy. Also known as "The Peach State". I purchase a lot of clothing here. Even so, dual citizens may be required to file U.S. tax returns even if they are living and earning income in New Zealand. Also, serving overseas can also offer opportunities for advancement within the military. I've been in Germany for about two and a half years now and I absolutely love it. . Its common interests like this that bring people together. So my first piece of advice, for anyone moving overseas, is to give yourself plenty of time to adjust and sleep. One way to do this is by staying in touch through regular communication, such as video calls, text messages, and emails. Dual citizenship is when a person is a citizen of two countries at the same time, with all the rights and privileges that come with it. Whether youre missing family, friends, or even pets, homesickness can be a major issue for many military personnel. Germany was my first experience with the Army and my first experience living on an Army post. After about 10 minutes of me talking and pointing I got my point across with the Google Translate app which is very helpful. These include white papers, government data, original reporting, and interviews with industry experts. 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. 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. . German roadways also differ from much of Europe. 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. 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. We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. The government typically will. Mom to three boys, wife of a National Guard soldier. "Dual Citizenship. After being in the US for a few years I can say that I miss that sense of community that we had over in Germany. Hohenfels to Paris: 8 hours. However, there are ways to cope with homesickness and maintain a connection with loved ones back home. Student loan debt in the United States is almost $1.75 trillion. This can be especially useful if you spend a long time in an off-post hotel. Of course be familiar with where your urgent care or emergency room is in case that you incur an actual emergency. Moving from your current location back "home" works a little differently. Kadena, Japan. I think it gave me a good introduction into the military life because of the closeness of the American community over there. 27 Things You Must Know Before PCSing to Germany, By Below are some of our biggest pros and cons of moving to Germany. We have now been at Fort Campbell on the Kentucky and Tennessee border for a little over two years. As a dual citizen, you'll reapthe benefits of being immersed in the culture of the two countries. Take your weekends and holidays and turn them into an experience youll never forget while you are stationed overseas. http://www.youtube.com/c/MaloriMayor14 I have a growing library of videos about how to PCS to Germany, as well as what life is like here. 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. (Austria is also very different culturally from Germany, despite both being German-speaking countries.) Since it can be expensive to fly home, military families stationed in Hawaii often spend holidays with friends.I forged some of the strongest friendships of my life right here on this little island. "Become a U.S. Citizen Through Naturalization. The average 2019 graduate owed $28,950 in college loans. Dual citizens can travel freely in both countries, as well as work, do business, own land, and do other activities that may be restricted to foreigners; however, there are also disadvantages, as dual citizens may face extra taxes or even military service. 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 This includes the right to vote and stand in elections, and the right to make donations to political candidates. 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. 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. Being stationed in Hawaii is being stationed in paradise. Australia, New Zealand, Fiji, and Japan are a mere skip and a hop away. Welcome to Soldiers Wife, Crazy Life! U.S. citizens are required to report their overseas income, even if it is earned as a foreign citizen. A sometimes really frustrating one. 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. Its a monumental task, but you will be forever grateful for it. My husband and I spent four years in Germany. With so many beautiful sites and mouth-watering food options, there really is something for everyone. 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. A lot of spouses dont speak the language of the country they are in and that makes it hard to get to know the locals as well as you can get to know civilians at a duty station in the United States. But on top of that, we had a new country to explore together. Germany was my first experience with the Army and my first experience living on an Army post. Not every country recognizes dual citizenship, and you may need to renounce your birth citizenship to become a citizen of a new country. You can also ship things to your deployed spouse for free. It does not store any personal data. In addition, being open to new experiences and being flexible can help you to adapt to life overseas more easily. Every overseas military installation is strategic in nature and many of them are close to real world threats. 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