What can I expect from being stationed at SHAPE Belgium? How is the post and what is the day-to-day life like?

2021-06-04T01:06:35-04:00

I re-enlisted for 4 years and will be PCSing overseas for the first time. Just looking for general information about the post and day to day life there.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 4 at 2021 11:47 AM

2021-06-04T11:47:38-04:00

From the people I know who have been stationed there you can expect zero Army or installation support. There will be no housing, no commissary, no medical or dental clinics. Everything is out on the economy. The military support you have is joint, so you might have a Navy S1 or your S6 might be an Air Force officer. Or they might be a Belgium or French officer. Your commander will very likely not be Army.

Get to know yourself a good Career Counselor because you won't have one assigned to you there. Three years after you arrive you're going to leave again and you'll need to reenlist before that happens. You'll be placed on assignment no later than 6months prior to your DEROS, your DEROS date is 3 years after you arrive. If you haven't reenlisted for a duty assignment by then your branch will place you on assignment. I'll be in Italy at that time, you can email me and I will help you out, you can email the USAEUR retention, or any Career Counselor you personally know in the Army. You will be considered "un-missioned" so you don't belong to anyone but anyone can help you out

Response by SSG Lawrence Crow made Jun 4 at 2021 4:58 PM

2021-06-04T16:58:40-04:00

I was there from 1988 to 1992. I worked at a remote site under Regional Signal Group SHAPE. It was awesome. Get out. Enjoy the country, the people, the cuisine, the travel opportunities.

Response by CW4 Keith Dolliver made Jun 5 at 2021 12:57 PM

2021-06-05T12:57:31-04:00

Congrats on winning the duty station lottery! I've never been to SHAPE, but I've spent the bulk of my career overseas and loved almost all of it. I hope you take advantage of it. Some people have a difficult time adjusting or don't embrace the local economy and instead just live in "little America" on base.

I know you said you don't leave your current duty station for another year, but honestly, that might be for the best. By that time the majority of Europe should be open. It would be disappointing to waste one of your three years in Europe being stuck in the house and not being able to travel or see the sights. There is a 4-day weekend at least once a month in USAREUR (even months without a holiday), so use it to your advantage and travel travel travel. Learn about Ryanair. You can find dirt cheap flights... I literally flew from Germany to London for cheaper than my train ride from the airport to the city center. (Make sure you read the fine print on what's included in your fare or you could end up paying a lot extra)