What's it like stationed in Germany?

Question

Just trying to find out what to expect. My ex-wife is going to be stationed somewhere in Germany for 3 years (don't know where yet) and has asked me to remarry her and go with. We have 2 children. I know it will be fun, see the sights, get a taste of Europe, etc., but what I need to try and find out is what can I do? It would be great for about a month, I know, but then after that? Everywhere I've seen is people saying "you'll have so much fun shopping and traveling..." but, being that she's just coming out of AIT I don't expect she'll be making THAT much and it kinda looks like the exchange rate sucks. Could I work or just be resided to being Mr. Mom, which would be great, but realistic? Anything that could be offered would be fantastic, thanks.

Answer 1

First, understand that the military presence in Germany is shrinking overall, with bases closing and/or consolidating with others. There were greater opportunities for employment just a decade ago, but there are still some today. There are many civilian jobs with the military itself, and a few working for civilian miliary contract companies. Most require a college degree or relevant work experience. For those without a college degree, there are jobs with Ponds security (gate guards are most military bases), civilian companies located around military bases selling to Americans (car lots, insurance agents, and so on), and facilities located on base (AAFES, fast food resturants, recreation facilities, movie theaters, and so on). And, of course, there is always the possibility of opening up your own business (catering just to Americans, or catering to both Americans and Germans - the latter complex but not impossible).

As for entertainment and new experiences, there is a nearly endless variety (museums of every kind, nightclubs, travel, tourist attractions, endless window shopping, and so on). The stores are similar to the states (malls and so on), but different enough to keep any window shopper well entertained. Media Mart is very similar to Circuit City, with products both similar and different. Quella is similar to Sears or JC Penny, but again different in ways. The Bauhaus is a popular chain of hardware stores. And, of course, IKEA (discount furniture) was popular in Europe long before they opened the first store in the USA. I seriously doubt you will run out of things to do during a single military tour in Germany. The key to enjoying the experience is to get off the miliary base as much as possible, expect things to be different (tolerance), and try to be as German as possible (dress, behavior, manners, and so on).

Now for some obvious differences. Don't just grab a shopping cart in a store. To obtain a shopping cart, one usually must insert a coin (one Euro) which is returned when the shopping cart is returned to the storage area. Therefore, that cart sitting around in a store likely belongs to someone else, with their coin in it (and taking their cart with money is obviously not the best way to make friends). Paying for items is very similar - approach a cash register, place your items on the counter, a casher rings it up and tells you the total, you pay, and the casher hands you a receipt. The big difference is that the casher will not bag your items, nor even offer a bag unless asked (usually costs a few cents extra). Most Germans bring their own bags and all bag their own items.

By the way, language is not a great problem. I live in a German-owned house off base and all my immediate neighbors speak English. The owner of the house (lives two houses down) teaches English to grade students at a local German school. The neighbor across the street teaches Physics at a local university and has attended classes himself in the UK. The neighbors on both sides also speak English. Indeed, I spend more time now talking to my neighbors than I ever did in the USA.

During the latter years of the cold war, English was a requirement for students attending grade school. As such, almost anyone under the age of thirty at the time (in their fifties or sixties today) spoke English very well. That is less so today, but most school students still receive at least some English instruction, meaning many Germans still speak at least some English. As such, in almost any store, you will find at least one or two employees who can speak English well enough to get your questions answered (speak slowly and avoid complex technical terminology). Don't forget to thank those who make this extra effort (and give compliments for their linguistics skills where due).

Your children can attend DODDS (Dept, of Defense Dependant Schools) located on most military bases (free to those working for the military), German public schools with the necessary language skills (expensive), or private schools (religious or secular, again expensive).

As for the exchange rate, that is less of a problem than one might imagine. Gasoline is expensive, but most military bases have gas stations with lower cost fuel (rationed). You can also use these ration cards to obtain discount fuel at several chain gas stations throughout German. Prices of most consumer items (TV's, stereos, computers & accessories, household appliances, and so on) is not that out of line with prices in the USA (depending on where one shops, both here and in the USA, of course - expensive stores are expensive in both countries). Entertainment prices (food, movies, nightclubs, and so on) are virtually identical in both countries.

Answer 2

I've talked to a lot of people who were stationed in Germany and loved it. It is an experience you and your children will carry with you for the rest of your lives. Like anything, though, it's what you make of it. If you just stay on base it won't be the same experience than if you mingle with the locals. If the budget is a concern you may be able to find some work as a civilian for the military...or even just P/T work while the kids are at school so you have a little extra spending money for travel and shopping. I'm pretty sure they give military dependents priority for any jobs that open up. Also, take a language class and really make an effort to emerse yourself. Sure, the day to day routine may not be all that exciting, but I bet that after you come back you'll reflect on your experience and realize what a great opportunity it was.

Answer 3

I'm a military spouse. I like living here in Germany. I'm a stay at home Mom and know a few stay at home Dad's. But you could probably get a job if you wanted to, there are civilian jobs available on the posts over here, type "CHRA-Europe" into a search engine and the web-page for jobs will come up. You could even start applying before you get here. And there are other jobs not listed on there, like at the commissary and PX and banks. And yes, the travel and shopping is great, although the exchange rate sucks. I've met some good friends here and enjoy the German culture, and the food is very good. If you do end up coming don't confine yourself on post, get out and explore and immerse yourself in the culture. Go to fests and the great Christmas markets that most communities have. So many people come here and just stay on post, or focus on traveling to France, Italy and Spain and overlook the good things about Germany. Good Luck.

Answer 4

well, trains can be expensive, but if you travel on special deals it's not so bad. They have specials once in a while, they also have on the weekends where you can buy a schönes- wochenende ticket, it costs around 30 euros, it's good for one day, and up to 5 people can share a ticket. You can travel all throughout germany on the slow trains with it. There's also bahn cards, you pay a certain amount, and then for a year you get a certain percentage off tickets. You can get eurrail passes too, or travel by bus or cheap airlines like jet blue and ryan air.

Even if you don't travel a lot, living in a foreign country means just that, living in it, not just traveling around. Just being there is awesome. I'd recommend you get off base as much as possible and learn German if you haven't already.

Working when you come from out of the EU is hard, getting a job on base would probably be your best bet.

Answer 5

if you do go to the Germany in a military base , i think it would be a great opportunity for both of you as well as for your children .
you may be able to find a job on base since you are married to a military person ,or even outside the post .......
it is not expensive on post , for you have the commissary and others benefits .....you will also meet people who have traveled all over the world , i must say ? it is such an opportunity ........Europe is not that huge , you may be able to travel some in the closest countries near your stay or base ?
sure the exchange rate is not as valuable as before but ? how often does one get to go to another country this way ?
and your children will get such culture also ,so will your wife and yourself ....worry not , you will not be bored ))
i know alot of people who have been stationned in Germany ,they have loved it , you will too ...........))
go and find out .....................

Answer 6

It's totally Awesome man, you will have a lot of fun, you can work on the base or off, the army has some system to help spouses find work.

Answer 7

its fun go shopping and the food is great and sweats have some sugar substitutes and go on USO trips its lots of fun you will hate when you get there but just Wait you will begin to love it