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I an effort to consolidate down the recurring discussions and maybe simplify where people can ask questions or get some questions they may not have thought of answered, I thought I would start this thread.
If you have any advice you would like to bestow on those people who are moving to Korea, Japan, UAE, Germany, Italy, etc., post it here. There are a plethora of web sites out there that give information about cell phones, cars, shipping Household Goods (HHG), etc. If you have links, post them. If you have personal experience, please share. If you have some inside advice of places to visit or avoid, let us know.
If you have any advice you would like to bestow on those people who are moving to Korea, Japan, UAE, Germany, Italy, etc., post it here. There are a plethora of web sites out there that give information about cell phones, cars, shipping Household Goods (HHG), etc. If you have links, post them. If you have personal experience, please share. If you have some inside advice of places to visit or avoid, let us know.
PCS
Advice
OCONUS
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 8
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If you PCS to Germany and decide to buy a car over there, ensure it has a catalytic converter. U-Kat is not acceptable, G-Kat is the only way to go. Anything else, and you will not be allowed to ship it back to the U.S.
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CW3 (Join to see)
You know what they say, good decisions come from Wisdom, Wisdom comes from Experience, and Experience comes from Bad Decisions (tm).
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Each region has its own experiences (obviously). I think the absolute best approach is to quickly fill out your DA form 5434. Hopefully, you'll be assigned an appropriate sponsor IAW AR 600-8-8.
Sponsorship is so critical when going OCONUS. Your sponsor is your best resource...if you're lucky enough to get the right one.
I can speak about Japan and Korea. I PCSd with nothing. I brought nothing knowing I would bring back stuff that I would acquired during my tour. Owning a car and driving was a privilege in Okinawa and only Army personnel and senior leaders were allowed to own vehicles.
But a cheap one locally, depending on your location, with the intent of leaving it behind; unless you're headed to Germany. The cars you can obtain there are often worth buying and bringing home.
If you're married and it's appropriate, allow your spouse to get a job on post/base. She/he will need to new community of friends. It can become lonesome while you're at work. Being homesick is a regular concern.
If you're a lower enlisted Soldier headed to Korea, know that you cannot apply for command sponsorship until you arrive. Even then, you're at the mercy of your location and position.
Remain vigilant and never become complacent. Learn and enjoy the culture. Safely explore, but never alone. Have fun. Reside on post/base if you can. Then again, you might not have a choice or certain assignments might be best for living off post. Also, verify the advise you receive.
Lastly, the upper echelon's G1 website often has great and pertinent information.
Sponsorship is so critical when going OCONUS. Your sponsor is your best resource...if you're lucky enough to get the right one.
I can speak about Japan and Korea. I PCSd with nothing. I brought nothing knowing I would bring back stuff that I would acquired during my tour. Owning a car and driving was a privilege in Okinawa and only Army personnel and senior leaders were allowed to own vehicles.
But a cheap one locally, depending on your location, with the intent of leaving it behind; unless you're headed to Germany. The cars you can obtain there are often worth buying and bringing home.
If you're married and it's appropriate, allow your spouse to get a job on post/base. She/he will need to new community of friends. It can become lonesome while you're at work. Being homesick is a regular concern.
If you're a lower enlisted Soldier headed to Korea, know that you cannot apply for command sponsorship until you arrive. Even then, you're at the mercy of your location and position.
Remain vigilant and never become complacent. Learn and enjoy the culture. Safely explore, but never alone. Have fun. Reside on post/base if you can. Then again, you might not have a choice or certain assignments might be best for living off post. Also, verify the advise you receive.
Lastly, the upper echelon's G1 website often has great and pertinent information.
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I am PCSing to Izmir, Turkey to join a NATO HQs soon, so will be following this thread even as I reach out to others here and with other resources.
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Question for those who have PCS'd overseas over there:
Our intention is to bring our vehicle (2014 Nissan Juke). Is it better to buy a vehicle or ship your own?
Our intention is to bring our vehicle (2014 Nissan Juke). Is it better to buy a vehicle or ship your own?
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MAJ (Join to see)
It depends on the vehicles you have. If they are paid off and in good shape then it might be worth it as a 2014 should be then I recommend it. For the $1000- $3000 you will pay to ship it you will probably end up paying for a new/used vehicle plus whatever parts/labor it requires. Your decision will also be based on if your defendants require transportation other than public transportation available.
We choose to sell 1 and let the Army ship 1. Upon arrival, there was no way we could live without a second vehicle and we purchased used from someone PCSing out. The unfortunate part about buying used is you never know what you are going to get and parts are not readily available; it takes 1-2 weeks to ship parts whether you order or a local shop orders. Tires are the same way but plan 2-4 weeks shipping.
We choose to sell 1 and let the Army ship 1. Upon arrival, there was no way we could live without a second vehicle and we purchased used from someone PCSing out. The unfortunate part about buying used is you never know what you are going to get and parts are not readily available; it takes 1-2 weeks to ship parts whether you order or a local shop orders. Tires are the same way but plan 2-4 weeks shipping.
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SFC (Join to see)
A lot of people are saying that due to fuel prices in Germany and such, it may be better to buy over there. The issues I see are exactly what you are saying; parts are reliability of the used vehicle.
Also, for the most part, I plan on riding a bicycle when possible, and we are going to utilize as much public transportation where applicable. We only have the one vehicle.
Also, for the most part, I plan on riding a bicycle when possible, and we are going to utilize as much public transportation where applicable. We only have the one vehicle.
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MAJ (Join to see)
I bought an old BMW for $3000, drove it for 4 years (only one small fire), and gave to a young soldier with a baby on the way when I left. You can look at it as renting a car for about $60/month.
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I am PCS to Grafenwoehr / Vilseck. Any advice for moving overseas? Any advice on the area or living OCONUS?
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MAJ (Join to see)
Living in Grafenwohr is not like any other PCS; especially dealing with housing. I do not recommend shipping large vehicles - you will not be able to drive through small towns without clipping another car. Take the time to learn a little German or attend the free classes on base; shopping in the economy is much better that the frozen crap that sits in a conex for a month before arriving at the commissary. Feel free to email me with any questions.
(We PCSed from JBLM Aug 2013 to Grafenwohr)
(We PCSed from JBLM Aug 2013 to Grafenwohr)
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SFC (Join to see)
I am PCSing from JBLM too! Oh, the irony.
I am bringing my Nissan Juke, it should be okay. But, I appreciate it, ma'am. I will keep your email address handy.
I am bringing my Nissan Juke, it should be okay. But, I appreciate it, ma'am. I will keep your email address handy.
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Here's a piece of advice that just recently became an issue for a person I know: When shipping your car OCONUS, follow the instructions. In this case, the instructions said to have less than 1/4 tank of gas in the car when you take it to the site where it will be processed for shipment. This fellow I know didn't take that seriously, so he wound up driving his car around for several hours to burn up the gas. I asked him about siphoning the gas out. He said he didn't think about that.
Here's some helpful info on this subject:
http://www.military.com/off-duty/autos/shipping-car-overseas-checklist.html
Here's some helpful info on this subject:
http://www.military.com/off-duty/autos/shipping-car-overseas-checklist.html
Shipping Your Car Overseas: Checklist
Be sure to keep track of these directions and reminders when shipping your personally owned vehicle (POV) overseas.
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LTC (Join to see)
There are also rules about fees, and other things specific to each country. As I researched my upcoming PCS to Izmir, Turkey, there are many more rules than for a country like Germany.
Just because you know how one set of rules works, doesn't mean you know all of them!
Just because you know how one set of rules works, doesn't mean you know all of them!
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