Katterbach, Germany in November

SSG Jennell Nisewaner — Sat, 18 Jan 2014 14:39:45 -0500

I will be headed to Katterbach, Germany in November. Any advice for my first overseas duty station? I've been in Kansas for 4 Years prior to this deployment. I am unsure which unit I will be assigned to just yet.

Response by SFC James Baber made Jan 18 at 2014 4:51 PM

SFC James Baber — Sat, 18 Jan 2014 16:51:28 -0500

Katterbach is a beautiful area, was there in the late 80s for a little while, I am sure it has changed quite a bit since then.

I would suggest if you want some info on the area, either check the RP search engine for some info as I am sure they have some, it is very full for many things looked for, also you can google the area for military units and then go to the site pages or units pages directly for more info for them as well.

Being a 1st time overseas duty station, everyone has different takes on what they perceive on it, so it is hard to give a good picture on what to expect or what you may have to deal with. I would suggest take advantage of whatever available opportunities are given or travel adventures you can as it may be your one and only time on uncle sugar's dime that you get there as many military locations are downsizing or shutting down completely due to cutbacks.

Good luck and have a great tour.

Response by SFC Michael Hasbun made Jan 19 at 2014 7:18 PM

SFC Michael Hasbun — Sun, 19 Jan 2014 19:18:04 -0500

Stay away from alcohol, and travel, travel, travel.

Response by SGM Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 19 at 2014 7:46 PM

SGM Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 19 Jan 2014 19:46:53 -0500

Ship your car early. It is easier to be without it here than there. It can take 45-60 days for it to arrive. One of my NCOs just went over there and he is dreading that he didn't ship it earlier.<div><br></div><div>Go and study for the drivers test now - pay special attention to the signs.</div><div><br></div><div>http://www.usareurpracticetest.com or http://www.classmarker.com/online-test/login/<br></div><div><br></div><div>Married? Kids?</div><div><br></div><div>Use every opportunity to travel and see the country and others around.</div><div><br></div><div>Ryanair is a very cheap alternative to driving over there. I remember seeing offers like 69 euro plane ticket to Italy or other exotic places.</div><div><br></div><div>You will learn alot when you take the German headstart program (during inprocessing). Germans love it when you try to speak German. They respect it a lot more than not trying at all.</div><div><br></div><div>You will probably end up in 3rd Battalion, 158th Aviation Regiment.</div><div class="pta-link-card"><div class="pta-link-card-picture"><img src="https://www.classmarker.com/img/online-testing-quiz.jpg"></div><div class="pta-link-card-content"><div class="pta-link-card-title"><a target="_blank" href="http://www.classmarker.com/online-test/login/">ClassMarker</a></div><div class="pta-link-card-description">ClassMarker is a free, easy to use, online quiz maker that marks your online tests and quizzes for you.</div></div><div style="clear:both"></div><div class="pta-box-hide"><i class="icon-remove"></i></div></div><div class="pta-link-card"><div class="pta-link-card-picture"><img src="http://www.usareurpracticetest.com/images/clear.gif"></div><div class="pta-link-card-content"><div class="pta-link-card-title"><a target="_blank" href="http://www.usareurpracticetest.com">USAREUR Practice Test &amp; Study Guide</a></div><div class="pta-link-card-description">On this site you can test your knowledge of the official USAREUR Driver License Test for Germany</div></div><div style="clear:both"></div><div class="pta-box-hide"><i class="icon-remove"></i></div></div>

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 20 at 2014 9:10 AM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 20 Jan 2014 09:10:12 -0500

SGT Waelty,

First off if you can look up http://apps.militaryonesource.mil/MOS/f?p=PMM:ENTRY:0

This site will help you plan a schedule from day one until you arrive here in Germany.

Good luck and enjoy all the site seeing.

V/R

1SG Haro

Response by SGT(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 21 at 2014 7:37 AM

SGT(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 21 Jan 2014 07:37:02 -0500

1) Go online and find a copy of the USAREUR drivers manual. Driving in eurpoe can catch a lot of soldiers off guard.

2) Not to beat a dead horse BUT travel travel travel!

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 21 at 2014 7:47 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 21 Jan 2014 07:47:44 -0500

Learn German. Get your international drivers license at the first opportunity - your USAREUR license is only good in the country you are stationed in. If you don't have a passport yet, get one. We had to show ours regularly going through Switzerland and I had friends turned around at the French border because they didn't have theirs on them.

I spent 13 years in Germany and left kicking and screaming! Summers on the beach in the Med! Shopping in Czech and Poland! Europa Park (best amusement park in Germany and 1/3 the cost of Disneyland Paris)...and the FOOD!!! Doners! :-)

Katterbach is dead center in the middle of Franconia which had the nicest people I have ever met. When I returned from my 3d deployment my VILLAGE had a welcome home party.

Response by CSM Mike Maynard made Jan 21 at 2014 8:53 AM

CSM Mike Maynard — Tue, 21 Jan 2014 08:53:20 -0500

I was stationed in Ansbach Germany twice - absolutely loved it. Lots of stuff to do locally, but it's small enough to not feel like a "big city".

The Christmas Market in Ansbach is phenomenal along with the Christmas Market in Nuremberg and Rothenburg.

They have built new housing and a new PX and I think a new Commissary over the last few years.

You will be down south which positions you to travel to Berchtesgaden, Germany and Salzburg, Austria. In fact, I was there almost every 4-day weekend.

http://www.salzburg.info/en/

http://www.berchtesgadener-land.com/en/home/

http://www.ansbach.army.mil/

USAG Ansbach | Your Hometown

Located in the heart of Franconia, a part of the state of Bavaria, USAG Ansbach provides base support and services to Soldiers, their families, Government Civilians, and Retirees in the Ansbach, Katte...

Home Berchtesgaden Berchtesgadener Land Eagles Nest

The Berchtesgadener Land - in the south eastern tip of Germany and only 20 km away from Salzburg - offers a wide range of activities and attractions.

salzburg.info : Salzburg Travel Guide : Traveller Information

Salzburg city tourist board website. Official information on travel, hotels, deals and offers, shops and cultural events in Salzburg, Austria

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 21 at 2014 10:02 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 21 Jan 2014 10:02:44 -0500

Spent 3 years there from 09-12. Great times, we had a very tight unit and everyone took care of everyone - like an extended family :) What is your MOS? They have new housing and a PX right down the road! Not a lot of parking on post, kind of a pain in the butt. There is a lot of travelling to be done there, glad to say that I did a lot when I was there. Snowboarding is amazing - pretty much there are so many things to do and 3 years will fly by if you take advantedge of all the fun things that you can do over there...

Response by CPT Aaron Kletzing made Jan 21 at 2014 3:17 PM

CPT Aaron Kletzing — Tue, 21 Jan 2014 15:17:20 -0500

Hi SGT Waelty, thanks for posting this. In addition to the advice here, I would recommend visiting the Katterbach, Germany duty station page here on RallyPoint and connecting with service members who are there right now. Below is the link you should check out. Good luck!

https://www.rallypoint.com/duty_stations/340-katterbach-germany

Katterbach, Germany | RallyPoint

Join members of Katterbach, Germany on RallyPoint, home of 12th CAB, 3-159 ARB, 3-58 AOB, 412th ASB, 5-158 GSAB

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 22 at 2014 3:28 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 22 Jan 2014 15:28:46 -0500

If you are coming to Katterbach, then you are coming to my company, and that's good. The Romeo section needs NCOS. If you have any further questions about the unit, hit me up. Katterbach is a decent area, tons to travel and see, and tons of history with Nuremburg just a short trip up B13. Like any duty station, the assignment is what you make of it, and make sure you do as much traveling as your wallet can afford.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 24 at 2014 6:49 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 24 Jan 2014 06:49:49 -0500

Get your tourist passport! You can't just travel with leave form and Military ID take advantage of being in Europe.

Response by SSG Diane R. made Jul 7 at 2017 10:33 AM

SSG Diane R. — Fri, 07 Jul 2017 10:33:25 -0400

So how was your tour Jenelle? I know this is an old post and I came into it late.

I spent four years at a hawk missile site near katterbach in the eighties and had the time of my life. Ansbach is a sweet little town and Nürnberg is just a hop skip and a jump away. I spent many weekends in Rothenburg Ob der Tauber, that wonderful medieval German City.

Franconia is one of the nicest regions in Germany. So I am sure you had a nice Tour of Duty. ♡

Response by SFC James Welch made Sep 9 at 2018 10:01 PM

SFC James Welch — Sun, 09 Sep 2018 22:01:12 -0400

Katterbach is a small base near Ansbach. It’s cold there in the winter. It has a lot of misty rain. Germany is cool except July August and September. It rains a lot and you need a jacket most of the time. Field problems are always in Wooded areas. You will love Germany. See as much of it as you can.

Response by SFC James Welch made Jan 4 at 2021 4:29 PM

SFC James Welch — Mon, 04 Jan 2021 16:29:35 -0500

I was there in 80-82 501st MIB CEWI I lived in Ansbach. Spent 13 years total in Germany. Great place, you’ll love it. Travel all you can. Learn the Language. Enjoy.(cold in the Winter)