What advice do you have for someone doing a first-time OCONUS PCS with family and pets?

SPC (Join to see) Make sure your dogs are acceptable breeds to import to Germany - no pit bulls, and a couple of others that they don't allow. Also all vet records, etc., up to date. Enjoy Germany.

I have a buddy in 2CR now, and knew a few while I stationed in Italy. I can see what advice he can provide from a unit specific aspect. The top tips will be to ensure pet documents and shots are up to date. If you are going to bring a vehicle, I recommend a smaller one. Roads in Europe aren't as big as they are in the states and folks who bring their trucks or large SUVs have a hard time maneuvering in some towns. If you don't want to bring everything over, ensure you have adequate storage. And unless things changed, you can't bring firearms out there. Enjoy Europe, I loved and miss my time out there.

If you can leave them with family, consider it. The shots and health check are so close to your flight date you will be jumping thru your butt. Talk to the transition office in Vilseck, not your local for new info. It changes. Try and get the Tower hotel on Graf rather than the Chrystal dump on Vilseck. Plus you will be hit with the cannon and "hit tge leather and ride" at max volume at point blank distance on Viitseck. Netzaburg housing or off post if you can manage it. Vilseck isn't that nice at all. I'm assuming 2CR, good luck. Not a fan.