What is the best way to bring your family with you on an unaccompanied year-long Europe tour? Any general advice for living in Germany?

The military will not assist your family at all they would need to come over threw the normal process and will not have access to post facilities. I would leave them at home if they are not command sponsored if they want to and you have some time them coming over for a trip/visit would probably be a better idea IMHO.

I'd say airplane and enjoy the beer.

Thanks for the response. I know they wouldn't be command sponsored and I would have to go through the civilian process. I plan on having them come over on a travel visa, then applying for a resident visa while they're in country. I understand they wouldn't fall under the SOFA agreement. I just wanted general travel advice as a non-sponsored dependent(s) and what to expect when they get there.