Posted on Jan 18, 2016
SPC Intelligence Analyst
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Also, how did you guys like your time over there? Was it easy/affordable to travel around Europe? Is it a hassle to get your driver's license? Would it even be worth it bringing your vehicle? I was stationed in Korea before and the public transportation system was really good and pretty cheap. Feel free to contribute any knowledge you may have that you feel can help me!
Posted in these groups: 53e46e2f 11B: Infantryman
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SSG Bradley Master Gunner Instructor
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If I'm not mistaken there are only two main places 11B can be stationed at now in Germany. That's Vilseck and Hohenfels. What you want to do ( be in a Stryker line platoon or OPFOR at a training center) will decide on where you want to be stationed at. The drivers test isn't bad and yes you should bring one vehicle. Research how the ration system works for alcohol, tobacco, fuel and coffee as you are only allowed specific amounts per month. Europe is definitely worth being stationed at and the traveling is great.
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SPC Intelligence Analyst
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Well I've been mounted the entire 3years I've been in, so might as well continue the trend! Good to know about the ration system, I didn't know they had that in Germany as well. It's crazy they ration coffee though haha, soldiers must really drink a lot of it.
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1SG Civil Affairs Specialist
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^This is the correct answer^

Almost certainly Vilseck with the 2d SCR. The vast majority of 11Bs in Germany are there. There are much smaller garrisons in Grafenwoer and Hohenfels.
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LTC Staff Officer
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SPC (Join to see) - Don't worry about the rationing "system." It is a relic from when coffee, cigarettes and hard liquor were hot commodities; cheap for Americans and expensive for Europeans. Not the case any more, but probably there is an office full of retired Joes now working for Uncle Sam running this now irrelevant system. Now if you happen to run through all the stamps on your ration card, you can just withdraw some Euros (instead of dollars) from your bank account, go downtown and buy some for comparable prices.
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SPC Intelligence Analyst
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Thanks everyone for your responses! I was in Korea before and they also had rations, although I never managed to even come close, so it shouldn't be too much of a problem. And my car is a 2014, so still pretty new with no problems(knock on wood), I only gotta figure out if my lender will let me take it overseas. And hell yea, I'm expecting the travelling opportunities to more than make up for anything that may come my way haha.
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PVT Robert Gresham
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SPC (Join to see) Having spent a total of almost 30 years in Germany (Military and Civilian), I'd like to give you a few tips that made Germany my home for many years even after I got out of the Army. First, go to Germany with the thought in mind that you ARE going to a foreign country. If a German comes to the US you expect them to try to speak some English, likewise, you need to learn some German. If you go with the thought in mind that you want to learn to communicate with your German friends and neighbors, in their language, then you will do fine.

If you want to meet REAL Germans......don't go to all the American hangouts. There will be several just outside the gate, and one or two downtown. Find a nice restaurant or "Gasthaus" where you can sit and have a couple of beers. Within a week or so you will have your first German friends, especially as they realize that you are trying to speak, and learn, German. This is a great way to meet that "pretty European girl" you were talking about.

Go to the German "Backerei" (Bakery) and "Metzgerei" (Butcher) (and other German stores) near you. You will not only learn more German, but you will also enjoy some of the best breads and fresh deli items that you have ever had !!

If you go with the attitude that you are ready to learn a little bit and try to fit in, you will be quickly accepted by the Germans. You will find a lot of friends, and many new things to do. Don't waste the trip by just sitting around the barracks drinking American beer from the Class VI, every medium to large town in Germany makes their own beer or wine. Find something that you like and got to a "Bierfest" or a "Weinfest" as you get a chance. And, of course don't miss the chance to go to "Oktoberfest" in Munich !! (Another great way to meet people from around the world !!)

I wish you "Viel Gluck" (Good Luck) and hope that you have a great time.
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SPC Intelligence Analyst
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Thanks for the tips!
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CW2 CH-47F Pilot
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^ What he said about the BEER! BEST BEER IN THE WORLD. Not even a question. And yet Coors Light and Bud Light sell out every weekend at the gas station. Get off post and go to a getranke market and score cases of .5l bottles of Bavarian bottled heaven. It is ridiculously cheap too....
My favorites are kellers, helles, and dunkles (not a fan of hefe or weissbier). I'd just about kill for a Paulaner Salvatore or a Simon Espezial right about now.
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CW2 CH-47F Pilot
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I have been in Vilseck for the past year and a half. Out of that time, I have spent four months in Romania and am a few months into a 9 month rotation to Egypt. We have done two EIB tests and had a two month restriction/no drinking order, as well as a QRF status I can't go into much detail about. You will also go to Hohenfels at least every year (similar to JRTC) for 30-45 days. Moral of the story? You will be BUSY here. I haven't had time to do hardly anything in Europe - yet. Most of the people who were stationed in Germany and loved it were here long before this unit became over-tasked (remember, there used to be several bases but most are closed now).
My intent is not to discourage you from coming here, but you need to hear some current truths. Individual experiences may vary. I know some guys who have skated out of every training event and deployment and done nothing but travel all over Europe. That's not how I do business though.
Do I regret coming here? Sometimes, but not entirely. I have gotten to see and do a lot of new things and experience living in another country. I also take advantage of my leave time. Most young guys buy plane tickets back to the US every time they get leave - HUGE mistake. Spend your money on travelling instead! On block leave I went to Greece once and Sardinia on another. I also plan on going to the Maldives on the next one, which would be almost financially impossible from the US. A plane ticket to the Maldives from Germany is in the $500 range versus $1500+ from the US.
Other points - the PCS to Germany was an absolute nightmare. Hopefully you'd get a sponsor that actually helps. If you ship a vehicle, it can take forever (3-5 months) to arrive because the shipping company, IAL, is horrible. I shipped a car and it wasn't a mistake. Mine took around 4 months but I was reimbursed (after much hassle) for a rental for the time I needed one due to the car not arriving on time. Housing was terrible to deal with. All of the on-post agencies are pretty much on Grafenwoehr so you'll be going back and forth between there and Vilseck constantly (about a 25min drive or longer bus ride).
The license test is easy if you pay attention in the class. Tons of people fail but there's no reason to. The big hassle about driving in Germany is the vehicle inspection. Make sure your car is in perfect condition or you will have problems. Also, avoid aftermarket exhaust, window tints, wheels that stick out past the wheel wells, and other crazy stuff like that. If your car leaks anything they will fail you. Getting a USAREUR motorcycle license is a little bit of a pain, but riding in Germany is absolutely awesome (for about 4-5 months a year).
If you do PCS to Germany, the first thing you will hear when you get to your new unit is how much 2CR sucks. My advice - stay positive as long as you can. Just try to do what you can to make the unit better. I could write all day about what sucks about being here but it won't do anybody any good. Try not to let those guys get to you. Just know you WILL be busy! This isn't the "5-10 years ago Germany assignment" where you got to travel constantly. We are doing OAR rotations left and right, along with training rotations and deployments. It isn't that bad. If I were you I'd do it just for the experience. Just expect a little bit of suck....
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SPC Intelligence Analyst
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Thanks for your response, it's certainly been very informative! Good to know the tempo of the unit I might go to, beforehand. My car is brand new, so it should pass inspection with no problems. And yea, I wouldn't waste my money or leave time going back to the states; Greece is actually THE first country I'd like to visit, always wanted to, partially because Greek food is my favorite haha.
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