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

2021-02-03T10:19:19-05:00

I currently have a slot on hold for 2CR in Vilseck, Germany. I'm married and have two dogs. I've never PCS'd let alone OCONUS, i'm just looking for ANY advice or tips on this. My report date is April 2022 but I just want to get an early start on it to make sure everything goes smoothly for my family. Any input is appreciated. Thank you.

Response by SP5 Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 3 at 2021 10:29 AM

2021-02-03T10:29:45-05:00

SPC Private RallyPoint Member 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.

Response by 1SG Steven Imerman made Feb 3 at 2021 10:46 AM

2021-02-03T10:46:23-05:00

Great area. Be sure to visit nearby Coburg Castle and sorta nearby Rothenburg (see the picture) where the German parts of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang were filmed. I've been out for a couple of decades, any specific advice I have is probably out of date. The old town of Bamberg, about 90 minutes away, is really cool, too.

Response by SSG Dennis R. made Feb 3 at 2021 10:57 AM

2021-02-03T10:57:39-05:00

Have a great time. I was in nearby Wiesbaden from 80-87.
If you already have a contact person, by all means, communicate with them! In my day it was snail-mail. I "sponsored" several new arrivals -- letters, set up initial housing, met them at the airport, etc.

Response by 1LT Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 3 at 2021 11:33 AM

2021-02-03T11:33:21-05:00

Start the process of getting your pets required paperwork early. Hopefully COVID is under control by the time you get here.

Response by CWO3 Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 3 at 2021 12:02 PM

2021-02-03T12:02:05-05:00

I opted for 1 year unaccompanied rather than taking family along, but in hindsight it would have worked either way. The trade off was keeping kids in school, but they missed out on a lot of travel that we could have shared. Consider lightening the load of household effects, including vehicles. Store anything you want to keep, to prevent loss or damage during the HHG move. Pets are a concern as well. It's good you are planning ahead, considering COVID globally. Good luck.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 3 at 2021 3:56 PM

2021-02-03T15:56:56-05:00

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.

Response by Lt Col Jim Coe made Feb 3 at 2021 5:09 PM

2021-02-03T17:09:20-05:00

I'm assuming your wife is command sponsored, that is the Army is authorizing her to reside with you in Germany. You have several things to deal with, but many questions can be answered by reading your orders.
-Transportation & Diplomatic: You and your wife will be flown to Germany at government expense. She may have separate PCS orders. You both should have civilian passports. Depending on what your orders say, you may be authorized a rental car for a short period of time, particularly if you live on the economy. You'll probably have to set up air travel and rental car in DTS. Review the Department of State web site for possible German restriction due to COVID 19. You and your wife do not have to travel to Germany at the same time. You can leave her CONUS while you find housing and then ask the Government to let her travel. It's up to you. You're young. I'd recommend the adventure of concurrent travel.
-Household goods: You should be authorized movement of household goods in your orders. You may want to split this into two shipments. The first small shipment is just enough stuff to get by on for a month or so in a rented apartment, house, or on post. This "hold baggage" should arrive a week or so after you do. We normally packed some kitchen stuff, plates & silverware, towels, sleeping bags or bedding, cots, pillows. Also military equipment you need, but not immediately, such as extra uniforms, out-of-season uniforms, extra boots, shoes, etc. Same for civilian clothes for the weather when you arrive as well as the next season. Your larger household goods shipment will arrive a while after you depart CONUS. Probably moved by land and sea. Don't ship a lot of 110 volt appliances. Europe runs on 220 volts. Unless you live on post, the 110 volt appliances are useless without a converter. Remember, Europeans generally live in a lot fewer square feet.
-Vehicle: You may be authorized to ship or store a vehicle. If you have a full size SUV or larger (Honda Pilot, Ford F150, super cab anything), store it or sell it. If you have a medium or small vehicle (Honda CRV, Accord, Ford Focus) in good condition, you might want to ship it. European roads away from the main highways are generally narrower than American roads. Again make sure your vehicle will meet European emission standards before you ship it.
-Pets: Shipping the dogs will be on your dime. Do some Google searching to figure out if your dogs are allowed into Germany. Then determine the medical requirements for the dogs (shots, neuter). Also, figure out if they will be quarantined, for how long, where, all at your expense. (I know pets can be like kids. My advice is to find them a foster home in CONUS for while you're gone. Parents house maybe?)
-Sponsor: request a sponsor. Your sponsor should provide you information about transportation from the airport upon arrival, local temporary housing, on-post and in-town housing, rules for pets, and lots of other stuff.

My major points: this is an adventure. Make it fun. Keep your sense of humor.

Response by SFC Casey O'Mally made Feb 3 at 2021 5:37 PM

2021-02-03T17:37:20-05:00

Start planning now for your pets. Generally speaking, they require a LOT of time and money to get there. Check with current requirements regarding shipping, shots (to include when they are needed in relation to arrival) and quarantine. Last I knew, the Army doesn't pay to ship pets, and most passenger airlines won't let you take them.

Also, take a good look at your vehicles. Germany roads and parking spots are made for smaller cars. Your F150 will NOT fit many places you are trying to go. Neither will your Buick Park Avenue. The Army usually ships ONE vehicle, if you have two, start planning to sell one, put it in storage (and find a good storage facility - or friend - that will do basic maintenance like starting it up once a month to prevent the fluids (especially gas) from going stale), or pay out of pocket to ship it.

On a similar note, yes, there are stretches of autobahn that have no speed limit (less than you think, btw). If you plan on seeing just how fast your dodge charger can go (which is another car that is too big for Germany, but I digress), make sure you have speed rated tires and suspension, which is NOT standard in America. (Additionally, I would not recommend this - speed kills, but that is a separate safety brief.)

Back in 2002 when I got there, we had a one week "head start" course as part of in-processing which taught us the VERY basics of German language and culture. Family was invited to attend. If this is still the case, have your spouse and any older children (teens) go. It will be exceptionally valuable for them. Or even better, start learning German now as a family. Most places I went, I was able to find someone who spoke English - it is pretty a common language in Germany - but I never wanted to have to RELY on finding someone. Additionally, I found that most people knew I was American, and were happy to speak English - but they still appreciated it when I initiated interactions in German. It made me less of a %*#$&% entitled tourist.

Start looking now at housing availability - renting on the economy is almost always a losing prospect. (At least that was the experience my Soldiers communicated when I was there - I was in housing.) Same for schools if you have children.

Technically, you don't need a passport, because you are on orders. Get one anyway.

Finally, gas over there is EXPENSIVE. Fuel economy on your vehicle is IMPORTANT. And learn to convert litres to gallons (a litre is just SLIGHTLY more than a quart) - they sell gas by the litre over there. (When I was vacationing in the UK, they were paying more for a litre than I was paying for a gallon back home in the states).

Response by SGM Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 3 at 2021 8:34 PM

2021-02-03T20:34:17-05:00

Stay in the smallest off post residence you can find. You get a utility allowance that is substantial, and the lower your bills, the more extra travel money you will have.

Response by SGT Robert Wager made Feb 4 at 2021 1:34 AM

2021-02-04T01:34:21-05:00

I can tell you the family side of Germany because all of my military experience is over 2 decades old.

Take advantage of your time off. Don’t be afraid to travel. Get out and see Germany and the surrounding countries. It may sound cheesy now, but buy the damn souvenirs. Trust me when I say this, 30 years later those little things will bring back the best memories.

You will make lifelong friends if you embrace the culture.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 5 at 2021 3:43 AM

2021-02-05T03:43:37-05:00

Thank you to all who responded with the great advice. It’s greatly appreciated.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 11 at 2021 6:18 PM

2021-02-11T18:18:30-05:00

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.

Response by SFC Francisco Rosario made Feb 4 at 2022 9:42 AM

2022-02-04T09:42:43-05:00

Get all the vaccinations up to date for your pets. Germany is very dog friendly and you can take them just about anywhere. You will also need a pet passport. You can get this once you are at the new duty station.

Check and see what airline you will be traveling with. Some won’t allow certain breeds of dogs in the spring/summer month’s. Make your hotel reservations early at Vilseck. I just PCSed back from stuttgart with my dogs, you will be ok once you get all that taken care of. Best of luck.