What is Germany like for a duty station?

PFC Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 11 Nov 2017 10:23:44 -0500

Response by PFC Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 11 at 2017 11:27 AM

PFC Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 11 Nov 2017 11:27:14 -0500

My husband grew up in Germany. His father was military and his mother is German. There are a lot of things to and see on your down time. Just make sure you follow the laws of the country because they are very strict there.

For example: you cannot give someone “the bird” or any rude gestures. My youngest son was stuck his tongue out at a truck driver because we had stopped along side a break area while traveling, that truck driver lost it and wanted to beat my son’s butt for that. Luckily my in laws were able to calm him down.

Do not get into an accident and kill a farm animal, you will have to pay for the replacement of the animal plus any offspring that it could have produced in the future.

Drinking age is different over there, but they also target soldiers so just watch your 3,6,9, and 12.

Have fun over there travel to a lot of places and learn the history enjoy the festivities they have too, be open minded about the food.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 11 at 2017 11:29 AM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 11 Nov 2017 11:29:10 -0500

What's it like? FRIGGIN AWESOME!!! That's what it's like.

Response by SFC Christopher Taggart made Nov 11 at 2017 1:04 PM

SFC Christopher Taggart — Sat, 11 Nov 2017 13:04:27 -0500

If you're being offered the assignment...DO IT! I was in the 1/15 3ID from 1985 to 1987. If you can afford it, do some traveling. Just monitor you beer drinking...it's addictive!

Response by SFC Antonio Nieto made Nov 12 at 2017 3:13 PM

SFC Antonio Nieto — Sun, 12 Nov 2017 15:13:18 -0500

You will be loving it as a cook. Most of the bases hire civilians to work with the dinning crew, you will have a lot of time on your hands take initiative and enroll in school if is permitted by your command also travel and learn some historical facts, don’t get discourage by haters at your command there is always one or too many stay focus and you will enjoy the opportunity of serving overseas for your country

Response by SP5 Peter Keane made Nov 12 at 2017 3:52 PM

SP5 Peter Keane — Sun, 12 Nov 2017 15:52:21 -0500

Don't have any insight for you. I extended twice in Viet Nam to keep from going. Didn't want to play war games in the snow.

Response by PO2 Peter Klein made Nov 12 at 2017 3:54 PM

PO2 Peter Klein — Sun, 12 Nov 2017 15:54:16 -0500

Did not serve there but visited there in March and loved it. I would suggest that you explore Germany, then Europe. Look into Eurorail passes. The German trains, and the trains in most other countries are fast and efficient. There is a lot of history to see, from castles to Checkpoint Charlie.

Response by SPC Margaret Higgins made Nov 13 at 2017 10:42 AM

SPC Margaret Higgins — Mon, 13 Nov 2017 10:42:57 -0500

PFC Private RallyPoint Member: Germany is cold. The beer is great. And, where I was stationed-in Pirmasens, Germany-there were little farm houses on the way through the snow to the Guest House. Many prayers on enjoying your new duty station, Private Groom. -Margaret

Response by LTC Jeff Shearer made Nov 13 at 2017 10:51 AM

LTC Jeff Shearer — Mon, 13 Nov 2017 10:51:55 -0500

Nicholas, I spent a little time there but I spent a little time in many places in Germany. I loved it! However, I have been blessed, and or lucky I have loved every place I have been. Sometimes the mission made up for the fact the place was shit hole. However, I will tell you flat out Germany is incredible, I will say it is easy for a young man to get into trouble there. Be careful.

Response by SFC Kenneth Hunnell made Nov 13 at 2017 11:27 AM

SFC Kenneth Hunnell — Mon, 13 Nov 2017 11:27:57 -0500

Better than state side duty

Response by PFC Lisa McDonald made Nov 14 at 2017 12:31 AM

PFC Lisa McDonald — Tue, 14 Nov 2017 00:31:24 -0500

Its a shame Berlin is no longer a duty station there.
I spent my entire three year enlistment there!
West Germany is not quite as nice for the nightlife as Berlin was
The people, food, and beer and wine are pretty awesum.
As others suggested get out and do some sightseeing. The nightlife and streetfood of Berlin is a train ride away and well worth the trip

Response by CPL Kevin Bright made Nov 14 at 2017 7:36 AM

CPL Kevin Bright — Tue, 14 Nov 2017 07:36:44 -0500

Depends on the assignment. Since you are in a support mos they can send you to any type of unit. Myself I was communications and sent to a field artillery battalion. Of the 2 years I a spent 13 months in the field. That included 2 30 day reforgers. Good luck snd thank you for your service.

Response by SGT Matthew S. made Nov 14 at 2017 9:29 AM

SGT Matthew S. — Tue, 14 Nov 2017 09:29:04 -0500

My first duty station was in Germany, and I loved it. Winter wasn't necessarily pleasant, but summers were pretty mild. It's similar to a Stateside location, but even on post you're exposed to elements of a completely different culture everyday. Over time, everyone picks up aspects of it.

As others have said, obey the rules & be courteous when out and about. Learn the basics of cultural do's & dont's, but be aware that even though it is a country only the size of a large state here in the US, there are large cultural differences in different areas - think the differences between Yankees & Cajuns but on steroids.

At least learn a basic level of the language, it makes travel & exploring immensely easier & much more enjoyable. I had taken two years of German in high school (which is *textbook* German, by the way, not necessarily what is spoken everywhere - similar to cultural differences), and even that little bit was night and day compared to my buddies who knew nothing.

Travel is another huge perk. The beer is great, but don't just drink - get out & explore. There's thousands of years of history & sights there, enough that you could spend a lifetime and still not see everything.

If you have the opportunity, go for it. You likely won't regret it.

Response by Capt Brandon Charters made Nov 14 at 2017 10:36 AM

Capt Brandon Charters — Tue, 14 Nov 2017 10:36:10 -0500

The best years of my Dad's career were in Germany. Our family loved it so much, he hopped to 4 different duty stations there in 10 years.
I've heard great stories from CPT David Gowel as well.

Response by SSgt Harvey "Skip" Porter made Nov 16 at 2017 1:22 PM

SSgt Harvey "Skip" Porter — Thu, 16 Nov 2017 13:22:55 -0500

Any duty station is more of what you make of it. I did 2 1/2 years in Frankfurt Germany I truly enjoyed my tour there. What's great about it that it's in very close proximity to other European countries and taking a train is a breeze. In a few hours you can be in the Netherlands, Belgium, or France Enjoy!

Response by SGT Luther Roddy made Nov 20 at 2017 1:00 AM

SGT Luther Roddy — Mon, 20 Nov 2017 01:00:21 -0500

I was station in Wiesbaden it was great for me. It depends on what your desires are as to how good your duty will be

Response by Sgt Christopher Collins made Dec 9 at 2017 6:20 PM

Sgt Christopher Collins — Sat, 09 Dec 2017 18:20:38 -0500

When I was there in southern Germany between Sept. 84-Dec.87, I loved it and sometimes consider it my second home. Just be aware of the German laws.

Response by SSG Mark Franzen made Jun 24 at 2018 8:10 PM

SSG Mark Franzen — Sun, 24 Jun 2018 20:10:39 -0400

Let me tell its was the best that I have ever seen wish I could go back and spend another 6 yrs.