Leave for spouses stationed in Germany?
Hi I am currently stationed in Germany, my husban recently deployed to Iraq. I was taking pre-requisites to the nursing program bach home...I was under the impression that they would have LOTS in the way of schools over-seas. Unfortuantely they are very limited for nursing and science degrees. I would like to go back to the states to take my clinical courses which may take 1-2 semesters since they are not offered here. My husband is under the impression that I cannot leave for longer than 30 days or he will be charged back our housing allowance. Is this true? Is there anything I can do under these cicumstances. Any information would be SO appreciatied! Thank you for all of your replies! They were very different from one another but alos helpful. I need to contact the FRG on post I suppose to be certain. Thanks again!
Military - 4 Answers
Random Answers, Critics, Comments, Opinions :
1 :
Its my understanding that they won't totally take away your BAH, they would just adjust it to the zip code of wherever you go in the states. They would not give you COLA and BAH for a house in Germany while you are taking classes in the U.S, so you would probably have to sell your house in Germany.
2 :
I've never heard of that. As a matter of fact, I'm deployed right now too, and my wife is NOT living at our house back where I'm stationed, she's been back at her parents house for 5 months now.
3 :
what will happen is that you you will lose: SOFA sponsorship( not be allowed to return to Germany) COLA for yourself on base housing or OHA, whichever applies. and if he doesn't get ERD for you..no BAH where you will be residing. it would be a voluntary move, not a PCS, therefore you lose out on a lot.
4 :
Since you would be away from the base for more than 30 days, you would loose your housing on base or the BAH to pay for your off base house. You would then have to pay to move/put all your household in storage since you left voluntarily, without orders/command sponsership. Your husband would also loose dependent rate COLA since youwould no longer be living overseas. To do what you are wanting, you would have to try for an early return to the states under command sponsership. The problem with that is, once you are moved back to the states, you will not be able to move back to Germany to re-join your husband for the rest of his tour there. I would strongly urge you to talk to your husband's command as the implications and affect this could have would be pretty far reaching.
Read more discussion :
Saturday, November 28, 2009
Saturday, November 14, 2009
What's Base Housing Like in Germany
What's Base Housing Like in Germany?
My husband (E4, who is graduating nursing school) and I just got orders for Landstul Germany and in the orders in tiny little font at the bottom it says were only approved for a 1 bedroom house? I've never heard of 1 bedroom military houses. Is this true? I would have thought we would get at least a 2 bedroom... What is base housing like in general? A PX or BX? What about getting a job on base? It's just me and my husband, no kids. And as far as I know, we are not authorized to live off base?
Military - 2 Answers
Random Answers, Critics, Comments, Opinions :
1 :
don't know. you can find out more about the bases, links, on http://www.angelica.dds.nl/armybase.php if that is in the south of germany, it is green, clean, and pretty there
2 :
Because Germany is an overseas tour, there are additional allowances along with the normal BAQ. You can obtain housing rate information for Germany at the DTIC Per Diem site. BAQ and OHA (Overseas Housing Allowance) are usually sufficient to cover the rent and a portion of the utilities. Lower ranking service members with a family size requiring 3 - 4 bedrooms will have a more difficult time finding a house on the economy within their price range. If you choose to accept government housing you can submit an application once you receive your orders. Submit a DD Form 1746 and a copy of your orders assigning you to Germany to your local housing office and they will forward it to the KMC Housing Office. Government housing locations are at Ramstein AB, Sembach Annex, Landstuhl, Vogelweh and Kaiserslautern (Flieger/Blutacker). In base or post clusters, it is common for a person to receive housing on a different base than the one where they work. Most bases in the KMC are within 10 to 25 minutes of each other. Much of the Air Force government housing was built in the 1950s as apartment buildings, and each building houses either 18 or 24 families. Over half of the units have never been renovated. Again, single or unaccompanied military members in grades E-1 through E-4 must live in the dormitories. Housing on the economy varies from small apartments to massive freestanding homes. The average move-in costs run from $1,000 to $3,000, which is offset by MIHA (Move In Housing Allowance). Move in costs include first month's rent and security and utility deposits. If these costs are too high, check with finance to see if a housing allowance advance is available. Also, when placing a security deposit on your rental, and the deposit is equal to $1,000 or more, finance will pay the deposit directly to your landlord. Once you move out, the landlord will return the deposit to finance without you ever having to go out-of-pocket. In the KMC individual single-family homes are expensive with most rentals being, multi-family apartments or duplexes. However, cheaper rentals can be found further from the bases. Currently, there is a shortage of four or five bedroom housing units on the economy. One- and two-bedroom homes are easier to find. Furnished apartments are also available. The housing office has a database of apartments and homes available. Just enter your requirements and a list of possible choices will be printed. Be aware, often German homes have two adjoining rooms with only one access to both rooms. In these situations, the rooms are only considered one room. Also important to note is that some finished basements cannot be considered as bedrooms on the housing listings. For example, my home was listed as a 2 bedroom with basement when in fact it is 3 bedrooms (2 rooms attached) and a finished basement that we now use as a guest bedroom. One of the best places to check out the types of housing available is in the classified ads of the Kaiserslautern American (KA) KMC military newspaper. Military wives usually can find jobs on base, especially in child care.
Read more discussion :
My husband (E4, who is graduating nursing school) and I just got orders for Landstul Germany and in the orders in tiny little font at the bottom it says were only approved for a 1 bedroom house? I've never heard of 1 bedroom military houses. Is this true? I would have thought we would get at least a 2 bedroom... What is base housing like in general? A PX or BX? What about getting a job on base? It's just me and my husband, no kids. And as far as I know, we are not authorized to live off base?
Military - 2 Answers
Random Answers, Critics, Comments, Opinions :
1 :
don't know. you can find out more about the bases, links, on http://www.angelica.dds.nl/armybase.php if that is in the south of germany, it is green, clean, and pretty there
2 :
Because Germany is an overseas tour, there are additional allowances along with the normal BAQ. You can obtain housing rate information for Germany at the DTIC Per Diem site. BAQ and OHA (Overseas Housing Allowance) are usually sufficient to cover the rent and a portion of the utilities. Lower ranking service members with a family size requiring 3 - 4 bedrooms will have a more difficult time finding a house on the economy within their price range. If you choose to accept government housing you can submit an application once you receive your orders. Submit a DD Form 1746 and a copy of your orders assigning you to Germany to your local housing office and they will forward it to the KMC Housing Office. Government housing locations are at Ramstein AB, Sembach Annex, Landstuhl, Vogelweh and Kaiserslautern (Flieger/Blutacker). In base or post clusters, it is common for a person to receive housing on a different base than the one where they work. Most bases in the KMC are within 10 to 25 minutes of each other. Much of the Air Force government housing was built in the 1950s as apartment buildings, and each building houses either 18 or 24 families. Over half of the units have never been renovated. Again, single or unaccompanied military members in grades E-1 through E-4 must live in the dormitories. Housing on the economy varies from small apartments to massive freestanding homes. The average move-in costs run from $1,000 to $3,000, which is offset by MIHA (Move In Housing Allowance). Move in costs include first month's rent and security and utility deposits. If these costs are too high, check with finance to see if a housing allowance advance is available. Also, when placing a security deposit on your rental, and the deposit is equal to $1,000 or more, finance will pay the deposit directly to your landlord. Once you move out, the landlord will return the deposit to finance without you ever having to go out-of-pocket. In the KMC individual single-family homes are expensive with most rentals being, multi-family apartments or duplexes. However, cheaper rentals can be found further from the bases. Currently, there is a shortage of four or five bedroom housing units on the economy. One- and two-bedroom homes are easier to find. Furnished apartments are also available. The housing office has a database of apartments and homes available. Just enter your requirements and a list of possible choices will be printed. Be aware, often German homes have two adjoining rooms with only one access to both rooms. In these situations, the rooms are only considered one room. Also important to note is that some finished basements cannot be considered as bedrooms on the housing listings. For example, my home was listed as a 2 bedroom with basement when in fact it is 3 bedrooms (2 rooms attached) and a finished basement that we now use as a guest bedroom. One of the best places to check out the types of housing available is in the classified ads of the Kaiserslautern American (KA) KMC military newspaper. Military wives usually can find jobs on base, especially in child care.
Read more discussion :
Saturday, November 7, 2009
Need Constructive Advice About Emigrating to Germany
Need Constructive Advice About Emigrating to Germany?
I am very seriously wanting to move to Europe -- either the UK or Germany, preferably Germany. I love the German culture, lived there as a child, and really want to go back. I am divorced, female, 49 years old. I live in the US right now. I would say I am somewhat fluent. However, several of my German friends laugh when I say that and state that I am much more fluent than I give myself credit for. As Germans are not known to be extremely forthcoming with compliments that speaks volumes. My writing skills need work. I am sure if I was in a totally German speaking environment, I'd be fluent very quickly. My mother spoke German (first language) and I have been told I was fluent in German until we moved back to the States when I was seven. As for work experience, I have worked primarily in upper level administrative areas (executive secretary), have had my own business, worked in sales and marketing. I have a good solid work history. But I am sure that I do not have a "critical" skill that would make moving to Germany much easier. I was also born in the UK and have been told I am still a citizen -- I was born before the citizen laws changed in the UK. I basically have dual citizenship. I am thinking that having British citizenship would make it easier to emigrate to Germany as they are part of the EU. As one barrister told me -- "the Queen still considers you one of hers." So, I need some good constructive advice. What would be considered a critical skill in Germany or the UK that would make emigrating easier? IT? Nursing? I am willing to get training here if necessary. I am methodical and like to have a good solid plan to work from. I also understand that this will be a process that cannot be hurried. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
Immigration - 3 Answers
Random Answers, Critics, Comments, Opinions :
1 :
Ok then get back your UK citizenship. As soon as you have your UK citizenship you are free to live and work in any EU country without ANY restriction. You are also free to open a business and travel to and from anywhere in the EU. If you are a UK citizen it is good to know that EU laws forbid discrimination against any other EU citizen. This means that except for voting you have all same rights as German citizen as a UK citizen. Get your UK passport ID or passport and the next day you can fly to Germany. Training in Germany or the UK are much more cumbersome than in the US with much longer training periods than in the US (you would be in for 3 years at least).. Very solid English skills and entrepreneurship are a valuable asset. You might be able to find something.
2 :
The first answer has noticed the key point - as you were born in the UK before 1983 you are a British Citizen. That makes it infinitely easier. Get a British passport from the embassy in Washington - the only document you need to prove your entitlement is your full British birth certificate - and you then have proof that you have complete freedom to live and work in Germany, thanks to the EU's freedom of movement laws. All that then remains is to find somewhere to live and a job. Actually, if your mother is German, you possibly also have German nationality as that depends entirely on parentage and not where you were born, but as Germany does not recognise dual nationality you have undoubtedly lost that. Being bilingual (or at least potentially so - being there and having to speak the language will bring it all back very fast) will undoubtedly be useful in the sort of areas you have experience in. See the link below - you can visit Germany for up to three months with no questions asked, but after that you need to register your residence and without a job that could get difficult. So whether it is a good idea to look for work there or from the USA is something you'll have to weigh up, of course.
3 :
German Population is aging. There many people going to be in Homes and therefore there looking to increase Nurses or People who could work with aging population and pay taxes to support the Pension system. There is alot I cannot explain here.
Read more discussion :
I am very seriously wanting to move to Europe -- either the UK or Germany, preferably Germany. I love the German culture, lived there as a child, and really want to go back. I am divorced, female, 49 years old. I live in the US right now. I would say I am somewhat fluent. However, several of my German friends laugh when I say that and state that I am much more fluent than I give myself credit for. As Germans are not known to be extremely forthcoming with compliments that speaks volumes. My writing skills need work. I am sure if I was in a totally German speaking environment, I'd be fluent very quickly. My mother spoke German (first language) and I have been told I was fluent in German until we moved back to the States when I was seven. As for work experience, I have worked primarily in upper level administrative areas (executive secretary), have had my own business, worked in sales and marketing. I have a good solid work history. But I am sure that I do not have a "critical" skill that would make moving to Germany much easier. I was also born in the UK and have been told I am still a citizen -- I was born before the citizen laws changed in the UK. I basically have dual citizenship. I am thinking that having British citizenship would make it easier to emigrate to Germany as they are part of the EU. As one barrister told me -- "the Queen still considers you one of hers." So, I need some good constructive advice. What would be considered a critical skill in Germany or the UK that would make emigrating easier? IT? Nursing? I am willing to get training here if necessary. I am methodical and like to have a good solid plan to work from. I also understand that this will be a process that cannot be hurried. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
Immigration - 3 Answers
Random Answers, Critics, Comments, Opinions :
1 :
Ok then get back your UK citizenship. As soon as you have your UK citizenship you are free to live and work in any EU country without ANY restriction. You are also free to open a business and travel to and from anywhere in the EU. If you are a UK citizen it is good to know that EU laws forbid discrimination against any other EU citizen. This means that except for voting you have all same rights as German citizen as a UK citizen. Get your UK passport ID or passport and the next day you can fly to Germany. Training in Germany or the UK are much more cumbersome than in the US with much longer training periods than in the US (you would be in for 3 years at least).. Very solid English skills and entrepreneurship are a valuable asset. You might be able to find something.
2 :
The first answer has noticed the key point - as you were born in the UK before 1983 you are a British Citizen. That makes it infinitely easier. Get a British passport from the embassy in Washington - the only document you need to prove your entitlement is your full British birth certificate - and you then have proof that you have complete freedom to live and work in Germany, thanks to the EU's freedom of movement laws. All that then remains is to find somewhere to live and a job. Actually, if your mother is German, you possibly also have German nationality as that depends entirely on parentage and not where you were born, but as Germany does not recognise dual nationality you have undoubtedly lost that. Being bilingual (or at least potentially so - being there and having to speak the language will bring it all back very fast) will undoubtedly be useful in the sort of areas you have experience in. See the link below - you can visit Germany for up to three months with no questions asked, but after that you need to register your residence and without a job that could get difficult. So whether it is a good idea to look for work there or from the USA is something you'll have to weigh up, of course.
3 :
German Population is aging. There many people going to be in Homes and therefore there looking to increase Nurses or People who could work with aging population and pay taxes to support the Pension system. There is alot I cannot explain here.
Read more discussion :
Sunday, November 1, 2009
Currently stationed in Germany, Husband due to deploy in Feb 09' but school starts Dec in TN do I go
Currently stationed in Germany, Husband due to deploy in Feb 09' but school starts Dec in TN do I go?
I will have been in Germany for almost a year with my husband when my nursing school starts back in the states..Nursing is not a option here for me in Germany. Its a 13 month course. He will be deployed in Feb 09' for Iraq (as we know so far) I feel really bad for leaving my husband in Dec to go do school but if I wait Ill have to spend time away from him after his deployment but im soo scared something will happen to him and ill wish I would have stayed that extra month..But schooling is important b/c when we go back to the states from Germany I will be the only one working while he is school finishing his degree.. I don't know what to do..My husband is far more important than schooling but we will be in a bind if we go back to the states and me and him both in school..
Marriage & Divorce - 4 Answers
Random Answers, Critics, Comments, Opinions :
1 :
Go back to TN for school. Good luck.
2 :
Discuss it with your husband and see how he feels about it. Maybe he will be able to take some leave before shipping out to Iraq. Also since you are military, you may be able to fly back and forth on military planes.
3 :
It sounds as if whether you go in Dec or after he comes back from his deployment that you are going to have to be away from each other. Ask your husband which he would prefer, since this both concerns you guys and go from there. You should definitely finish school though, especially since your husband want to finish school when you get back to the states.Is there any chance that your husband can take leave in Dec or Jan? If so, go ahead and start school and let him spend time with you down there. If not, maybe you shouldn't go but instead use your time in Germany to get a job at like the BX or Commissary and just save up a ton of money until he gets back, that way you are not in a financial bind when you go back to the States and you can both go to school at the same time.
4 :
I am also stationed in Germany and I am also deploying in January 09. I am in Finance and keep one thing in mind. If you go home for more then 30 days your husband will lose COLA. Now if you go home on ERD orders your trip home will be paid for and you will get BAH while your husband is deployed. You did not mention in your question what your husband thinks. I would like to know that before I can answer you. If your husband feels the same way you do then go. If not take his feelings into consideration and decide together, since whatever financial situation you find yourself in will be his also. Good luck and from one Soldier to another Soldier tell him I said God Bless.
Read more discussion :
I will have been in Germany for almost a year with my husband when my nursing school starts back in the states..Nursing is not a option here for me in Germany. Its a 13 month course. He will be deployed in Feb 09' for Iraq (as we know so far) I feel really bad for leaving my husband in Dec to go do school but if I wait Ill have to spend time away from him after his deployment but im soo scared something will happen to him and ill wish I would have stayed that extra month..But schooling is important b/c when we go back to the states from Germany I will be the only one working while he is school finishing his degree.. I don't know what to do..My husband is far more important than schooling but we will be in a bind if we go back to the states and me and him both in school..
Marriage & Divorce - 4 Answers
Random Answers, Critics, Comments, Opinions :
1 :
Go back to TN for school. Good luck.
2 :
Discuss it with your husband and see how he feels about it. Maybe he will be able to take some leave before shipping out to Iraq. Also since you are military, you may be able to fly back and forth on military planes.
3 :
It sounds as if whether you go in Dec or after he comes back from his deployment that you are going to have to be away from each other. Ask your husband which he would prefer, since this both concerns you guys and go from there. You should definitely finish school though, especially since your husband want to finish school when you get back to the states.Is there any chance that your husband can take leave in Dec or Jan? If so, go ahead and start school and let him spend time with you down there. If not, maybe you shouldn't go but instead use your time in Germany to get a job at like the BX or Commissary and just save up a ton of money until he gets back, that way you are not in a financial bind when you go back to the States and you can both go to school at the same time.
4 :
I am also stationed in Germany and I am also deploying in January 09. I am in Finance and keep one thing in mind. If you go home for more then 30 days your husband will lose COLA. Now if you go home on ERD orders your trip home will be paid for and you will get BAH while your husband is deployed. You did not mention in your question what your husband thinks. I would like to know that before I can answer you. If your husband feels the same way you do then go. If not take his feelings into consideration and decide together, since whatever financial situation you find yourself in will be his also. Good luck and from one Soldier to another Soldier tell him I said God Bless.
Read more discussion :
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)