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. Especially if you take a non accompanied short tour to somewhere like South Korea. So if you have the chance, do it. A significant benefit of military service is the VA home loan, allowing you to purchase a home with no down payment or refinance a home. Well in this video we will discuss what military living in Hawaii looks like and all the p. The amount of the fee depends on what application you use and your filing category. One benefit of dual citizenship that is often cited is the ability of an individual to possess two passports; however, a potential drawback is the possibility of double taxation. "Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About International Individual Tax Matters," Select "General FAQs: 2. If you claim one or more dependents on your tax return, you may be eligible for certain tax credits. By clicking Accept, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. 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. 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. Learn everything you need to know here. You basically have your Army family to support you and that is it. Immigration lawyers can help individuals achieve citizenship, although they also require fees for their services. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience. -- Raquel Thiebes has been blogging about living overseas since 2007. One way to do this is by researching and learning about the culture and customs of your new home before you arrive. One of the biggest perks of traveling from Oahu is the availability of Space-A flights. It creates a more influential economic block. With so many military bases in Hawaii, military families have many lodging options both on and off of Oahu. You don't have to try to calculate if you can afford the co-pay. Make sure you have renter's insurance. Ive had many friends end up losing stripes and getting in trouble because they did not understand that law. 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. Those opportunities are first offered to those stationed overseas. Once I learned to appreciate the beauty around me, however, Hawaii quickly became a favorite duty station. 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. 7. If you are close to your family, you may feel disconnected from them being on the other side of the world. 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. Get involved with your base and sit in on classified briefings to get a better understanding of whats going on with your base and how you contribute to the real world mission. This exposure to different cultures can broaden your perspective and help you to better understand and appreciate the world around you. 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. Its a good idea to keep all of your familys important documentation in a quick and accessible folder. Have a good attitude and an open mind and make your overseas assignment an enjoyable one. Overall, serving overseas as a member of the military can be an incredibly enriching and fulfilling experience. This can deter some people from pursuing dual citizenship. Well, as you probably have guessed by now, I did marry a soldier and we did get stationed overseas! That likely cost them a pretty penny. 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. Citizen.". Here are some of the best bases you will find overseas. A lot of times to get treatment youll have to go to the Emergency Room, sick call, or a sports injury clinic. There is a complete trust in those around them. From cultural immersion to career opportunities, serving abroad has the potential to be an incredibly enriching experience. No one is going home for the weekend or on a regular basis. Also, serving overseas can also offer opportunities for advancement within the military. Another great thing about living in Germany is being around another culture. Children have a certain innocence about them when it comes to the world. Before our PCS to Hawaii, I was worried about not being accepted. Bonds with students. Other things like learning the best places and times to shop, learning the lay of the land, and finding your tribe take time. 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. Serving overseas also offers financial benefits. 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). To overcome these challenges, its important to seek out support from your colleagues and superiors. Even if you live on post, like we are mandated to do, you have to get used to the driving rules, shopping on the economy, cultural nuances like shops being closed on Sundays, and most of all, the language. Access FREE resources and reviews about on and off-base housing, cost of living, local events, and more. So if I hear someone is trying to decide to go, I urge them to do so. This personally happened to me and I had to take emergency leave after my Dad had a heart attack. 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! We were stationed at two different places, Schweinfurt and Grafenwoeher. A Social Security number (SSN) is a numerical identifier assigned to U.S. citizens and some residents to track their income and determine benefits. I pay income tax in a foreign country. Each of the Hawaiian Islands has its own unique terrain and claim to fame. As a result, I put together more than two dozen tips that will be more useful for your PCS to Europe so you can be more ready that you ever dreamed possible. Another big difference I have found is the way I interact with the surrounding community. Being stationed overseas as a military member comes with a unique set of challenges and benefits. Living in Hawaii is the chance to make close friendships perhaps even closer than the friendships made at CONUS duty stations.. Even with sleeping 10-12 hours a night at first, I couldnt conjure up my normal energy. Here are tips on responsibly caring for your four-legged family member. 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. 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. 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. In this article, Ill discuss the pros and cons of military life overseas and provide my personal tips for balancing them. 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. 45 million Americans have student loan debt, and 7.5 million of those borrowers are in default. Its a coin flip if they speak English or not. Early on, island fever (getting sick of living on an island) seemed to be a real thing. So Your Spouse Just Deployed??? But after awhile, it got too quiet and anxiety set in. Being stationed overseas as a military service members can be a unique and rewarding experience, but its not without its challenges. Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. Culture shock can be especially pronounced in countries with different social norms, customs, and traditions, making it difficult to navigate daily life. Unless a wife is German, her family is usually 2000+ miles away. You have to stick together because you only have each other. She has conducted in-depth research on social and economic issues and has also revised and edited educational materials for the Greater Richmond area. 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. If the dependents stay in the same location, BAH will remain at the same rate. When my husband Mark received orders for Germany in 2017, he was deployed to east Africa. You should have this anyway even while living in on-post quarters. 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" Pinch yourself, because you're not dreaming! (It IS possible for government housing to feel like home!) 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. These VA Home Loan FAQs ensures Military.com members are fully prepared to take advantage of this exclusive benefit. The experience is worth it, and living overseas will change your life forever. 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. 3. So Your Spouse Just Deployed??? Sometimes they have a choice, sometimes they dont. Also, youre so far away from your family that your brothers and sister in arms become your military family. Sometimes COLA will not even cover the actual difference of the cost of living versus the United States. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other. Description A federation is a state consisting of two political levels. The European Union creates an allied front against outside aggression. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. Youll make friends that you share unique experiences with. Too many mosquitos, bugs, and pests. 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. In Mississippi, New Jersey, and Oregon, a commission reduction may be available at closing. On one hand, it offers the opportunity to serve your country, see the world, and expand your horizons. The work and play mentality. It might take several trips to get the hang of European travel planning, but tons of traveling is something you will NOT regret! 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. While having a positive attitude about any PCS is important, its equally important to have realistic expectations. I joined a running club to make some friends with common interests. Nationality and Foreign Military Service. Wondering what the pros and cons of being stationed in Hawaii are? 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 travel opportunities are simply amazing. In this case, that person would become a citizen of both countries, unless their home country does not allow dual citizenship. It may help teachers feel refreshed and support a good work-life balance. It was wonderful to simply live with my husband again after almost a year apart! ", Government of Canada. Before the age of 8, most children believe that the information they see in an advertisement is an absolute fact. Citizenship and Immigration Services. This is a great way to stay in touch and I recommend doing this for those that are close to their families. Ive also had friends tell me that gypsies were known to squat in unlocked housing and by English law, you cant kick them out. The pros and cons of going to college in Germany 1. 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. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. 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. See in an advertisement is an absolute fact 45 million Americans have loan., Schweinfurt and Grafenwoeher couldnt conjure up my normal energy difference I found... The beauty around me, however, Hawaii quickly became a favorite duty station family member are some these. Your horizons when it comes to the world around you received orders for Germany in 2017, he was to. Basically have your Army family to support you and that is it hang European. Is going home for the cookies in the category `` other set of challenges benefits. About on and off-base housing, cost of living, local events, expand! 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