Stationed Overseas?

I have a family with 3 small kids, hubby in the Army. We were thinking about getting stationed overseas, perhaps Germany if we can. I was wondering if anyone out there had any advice or tips about living overseas on Army posts? Thanks!

Public Comments

1. Germany is an awesome station. However there are cultural differences. It wouldn't hurt to brush up on some German. Buy a pocket German translator if you go to Germany. The roads are quite confusing so make sure you get really good directions if you travel anywhere. If you get lost or stuck somewhere, it may be hard to get around if nobody you run into speaks English. When living on base, things are pretty similar to any other base. It's a beautiful country so definitly travel, but be safe.
2. That's at least service overseas which is more than remf scotty from Yuma ever did.
3. Spent 4 years in Germany and loved every minute of it. You will get culture shock when you first arrive, but will get use to it. So many things to see, so many countries close by. It's like a job anywhere else. you go to work, you come home, enjoy your weekends, and go out to the field and play Army every once in a while. Out of all the places I was stationed, I enjoyed being overseas the most. Now that I'm a civilian, I can spend my time seeing America. By the time I was 23, I had seen most of Europe.
4. The Dollar to Euro conversion rate sucks right now, so you will get paid a very good COLA rate. Getting around is not all that hard, German is actually pretty close to English if you listen hard enough to what someone is saying, it will make sense, although the German driving test is extremely hard to pass! 'Lenks'=Left, 'Rechts'=Right, etc. The transportation system is VERY easy to use and very efficient. Get a map and go downtown on the streetcars. The maps for those are super easy to use and understand. The Train system is very good also. Just hop on a train and you can go to another country, just make sure that you buy a ticket because they do go around and check for them! You could be fined or thrown off at the next station! There is a program called Head Start that your hubby will have to go to while inprocessing, you should be able to go to those classes also, or they may have a separate one for spouses. If you choose to live on post (in some places you will not have a choice) you will be in 'Little America', but I don't feel that is the best way to experience the culture. Live off post on the economy if you can. Also, the towns there have 'quiet hours' that they observe: no grass cutting on Sundays, no flushing the toilets during the night (seriously!) if you live in a walk-up. Winters are tough there, more so the further South you go, such as to Stuttgart. Be wary, though, Stuttgart and Berlin are known Anti-American cities. A lot of Skinheads there that hate Americans. The Autobahn is an experience. I don't recommend that you try to drive on it for at least a month after you get your license, (just spend that time getting used to the secondary roads!) unless you are a cousin of Mario Andretti's or are feeling very brave. Either way, when driving on the Autobahn, remember, pass on the left, drive on the right. The Army has VERY good programs there for you once you get there and if you decide to go, you won't be left hanging! And you will be so glad that you went if you decide to...I wish I had never left!
5. I spent many, many years based out of Germany. It is really great. Only drawback I found was it is truly expensive in the town, but most PX and commissaries are excellent. If your local one is not the best, it's not too far to another one. If living on Post some locations do not have the best housing. At least, not what you are used to back here. Off Post housing can be really nice but many are much smaller than Americans are accoustomed to. A neat part is traveling. Take a look at a map of Germany and compare it to a state here like Texas. You can see that traveling to France, Italy, Luxembourg, etc., is a matter of a few hours travel time. And, the countryside is unbelievable. Postcard photo around every curve. If your children will achieve school age while there, the US school system is actually very good. All my children spent about 90% of their 1-12 grades being educated in that system and have done quite well afterwards. I was TDY about 7-8 months of each year and my wife had to kinda be both parents. But the support by other families is tremendous, as are the unit staff. Learn some of the language. Makes it easier and a heck of a lot more fun. The food choices and quality are beyond imagination. I really miss it. All in all we would do it again. It is a different life over there, but ain't that what life is all about? Spell check not working, so forgive the typos. Good luck.
6. We've been stationed in Germany twice and loved it! Would go back in a heartbeat! Give yourself time to adjust. to often American's want the rest of the world to be American and it's not! But it sure is fun... the pace will most likely be different than what you are used to. Get off post and jump into the culture - learn basic phrases (most posts offer free "headstart" classes for this and NO they aren't just for service members anymore - you can also check out tapes from the library or ask a neighbor) this will help you out and get you further than just pointing! Also goes further with the locals that you have made an effort. We rode the bus and the train, visited out of the way places, shopped at the local market (YUM YUM YUM!) & stores, and got to know some of our "local" neighbors. I personally didn't find the roads and right of ways all that confusing (other than priority roads but once you get those down you're good!) and I would rather drive on the Authobahn than many places in the States! We were able to go to Paris and Italy as well ... so COOL! Don't let people with horror stories intimidate you either -- often these are people who never really tried to get to know their host country, never left post, aren't happy anywhere! Schools are ok, but we homeschool (yes it's legal if you are American and have orders) so I didn't deal with them to much. Life is what you make it no matter where you are - there are frustrating things everywhere whether you are moving around the world or around the block! We definetly came away feeling that American's are horribly spoiled -- again would go back given the chance.
7. Try afcrossroads.com. You'll have to register and they check you out with DEERS, but it lists all bases (from all branches) and has pics and tons of info on each base. Plus there is a forum with people at bases all over the world. We too have 3 kids are are hoping for somewhere in USAFE, so maybe we'll get Germany too! Wish you luck on your hopeful PCS!
8. They have what is called base housing which is typically nice. You get COLA which is a supplement allowance, very nice to have. Also there are schools on base for your children to go to. I've been overseas 11 years. I highly recommend it.