when i first learned i was getting a p c s in germany i was really excited i mean one of the reasons i'm in the army is to be able to see something of the world but i have to admit i was a little concerned too wondering how my family would get along living in a different culture in a lot of ways it's like i mean living in the u s but there are some differences and you're going to enjoy it a lot more over here if you know what those differences are ahead of time so you can plan for them there are all kinds of ways to find out what it's like in germany before you come on the personal sponsor the army assigns to you from the orientation tiriel jani provides and from the installation a c s i'm a community services taking the time to use these resources will really pay off when you get here when you arrive in germany you'll find yourself in one of the most interesting exciting and picturesque countries in the world centuries old yet a modern you will be here as part of the army in europe a major element of the nato defense team that has been stationed in germany for many years in the army in europe is a well equipped well trained military force that is helping keep peace in europe by making potential enemies think twice before attempting aggression against any nato ally u s forces stationed here represent about one third of the entire s army worldwide so you can see how critical the army in europe's mission is considered to be in the sharing the security of the united states and helping maintain peace in the world when you join the army in europe you will be doing an important job for your country and at the same time you'll have the chance to enrich yourself and your family through personal contact with the ages old german culture that's part of the heritage of the western world it's an exciting and challenging opportunity i guess the biggest concern my wife and i had when we learned we were coming to germany was where we were going to live and shop and how much were things going to cost life for army people in germany including civilians  focuses on military communities around the country these communities are made up of several installations called concerns unlike post in the states swear all communities support facilities or in one place in germany you may have to go in one direction for the hospital another for the personnel office and another for the p x most military communities provide a wide range of support facilities with well stocked commissaries quick stop food land shopping centers for routine grocery items and beverage sales familiar fast food establishment and services of all types costs are usually comparable to those back in the states your sponsor will be able to tell you what facilities and services all available where you will be stationed and what you cost if you're a married soldier housing is understandably a major concern if you plan to have your family accompany you to your new assignment when you're overseas demand approves your request for family travel they'll send you a letter detailing the kind of travel granted and providing other important information me sure to ask for use or a pamphlet fifty five days to that contains additional information on household goods weight allowances and government furnishings when you get a letter from your sponsor respond right away be sure to provide the date and time of your arrival if you don't hear from your sponsor write to the commander of your new unit and request contact if you will assign government housing in germany you will most likely be living in a multi story government on building with twelve to twenty four apartment you'll be provided an apartment with all utilities except a telephone in some areas similar housing is lay by the u s government from german owners and provided for use by army families when no government are least quarters are available you may be required to live on the local economy in quarters owned by private german landlords who contract with individual soldiers for rental many individuals and their families prefer to live on the economy it enables them to get closer to the local culture and often to have more families privacy than is possible in government on housing army civilians almost always live on the economy something you should know about economy apartments and houses they are usually unfinished the rooms may be smaller than those you are used to in the states that are no closets and the landlord normally doesn't provide household appliances even light fixtures are considered personal property and are normally supplied by an attempt one important note the housing office can provide you with major appliances such as stone which featured a ten washer and dryer so you might want to put your own in storage they will also provide cabinets clothing wardrobe light fixtures and some  finding appropriate economy housing may take time and effort and a lot of patience your sponsor will be able to help you both before and after you arrive at your local housing referral office will also help you find a place to live in fact you must report to your h r role as part of in processing if you use a german rental agent you'll be charged as abstention will feed fees may amount to one or two months rent and or not reimbursable by the army in addition to approving economy housing for rental by american soldiers housing referral offices also maintain lists of available apartments and h r all official is required to review any contract you sign with a german landlord rents for economy housing will vary according to size and location but generally they are higher than you would pay in the states you must be prepared to pay a security deposit of up to two or three months rent plus a utility hook up fee this can total as much as fifteen hundred dollars these costs vary greatly depending upon the area of assignment the average cost is fifteen hundred dollars but could run as high as thirty five hundred dollars remember if you live on the economy your rent utilities and phone bill will be paid  deutschmarks the actual cost in dollars will vary according to the exchange rate if your cost of rent utilities and phone is one thousand dortch marks per month at an exchange rate of two and a half days marks per dollar your actual cost would be four hundred dollars if the exchange rate dropped to two deutsche marks per dollar your actual cost would be five hundred dollars so remember your cost of living will change depending on the exchange rate of the dollar wherever you end up living the government provides basic furnishings and major appliances you can bring your own furniture depending on how many pounds you are allowed to ship at government expense for a number not everything you have may fit or be appropriate for example electrical power in germany is two twenty volt fifty cycle not the one ten volt sixty cycles that u s appliances are designed for that effects what you should bring the lamps are ok they just need to bulbs and expensive adapter plugs for european style outlets they're available in p x to operate one ten volt appliances you'll need a transformer to step down the voltage they can be purchased new at the p or secondhand through thrift shops or bulletin board notices tape and record players run slower on fifty cycle current and will have to be modified m p s leave your electrical clocks home they only move fifty minutes in an hour color television programming in twenty four hour am and f m radio are provided most areas by american forces radio and television service one ten volt american t v s and radios can receive armed forces radio and t v and german radio and plug into a transformer if you want both american and german t v leave us at home and buy a convertible model here as for major appliances the army provides refrigerators stoves washes and dryers in government housing laundry equipment is shared in basement laundry now about telephone service in germany is excellent you have an initial fee to pay as little as twenty six dollars if you take over an already installed phone there is no such thing as a local call each call is added to your bill based on time used and distance covered as a result his easy to run up a good sized bill phone bills must be paid on time or service will be cut off if you plan to be away to say in advance at the german post office the las engineer many you can turn to a c s to help you get settled in your new quarters they have lending classes where you can buy household utensils and other items until your own things  and they can provide you with all kinds of assistance so and information about local facilities and community resources since finding housing on the economy can take several weeks we begin your tour in germany by after housing the biggest concern we had was schools but do we soon found out the department of defense operates fully accredited us type schools from kindergarten through grade twelve if you are based in a smaller community where the population can support having its own school your kids will be bussed to the nearest larger community where there is a school now schools are for hot lunches if there is no cafeteria at your child's school meals may be provided it youth centers snack bars or with box lunches in a few cases students must bring their lunch school's artist field trips and opportunities to learn firsthand about german culture upper grades also have clubs and sports programs if you have a child with special educational or medical needs go to your installation medical treatment facility for information about enrollment in the exceptional family member program and what friends are necessary to forward to the overseas command for approval of family travel almost all army communities have child development centers that offer food a day and hourly programs for children six weeks to twelve years the availability of child care has been increased by facility upgrade aids in addition in army certified family child care programs not in government quarter programs for college age dependent a two year resident campus program is operated in unit by the university of maryland medical facilities operated by the army  germany in most cases complete basic medical and dental care is provided for soldiers and family members civilians may also use these medical facilities b something else you ought to think about is how you and your family are going to get around while you're in germany facilities in germany your normally dispersed so you'll have to make frequent short distance trips public transportation is excellent widely available and almost always on time but you still might want to bring your own private vehicle keep this in mind germany and use a requires vehicles to pass a rigid safety inspections before they are released into the country check with your current installations transportation office to find out about safety standards in germany so you can make any needed repairs or modifications before you  driving in germany is different than back home it's faster with fewer constraints you will be required to learn the local laws to qualify for you so a driver's license and you'll also be required to have liability family can involve some substantial onetime costs to get started and significant cost of living expenses while you are here the success of your estate may be a tram and by how well you are prepared to handle your financial obligations will be paid in dollars which you can use for purchases in u s facilities but you must use deutschmarks for purchases on the economy your purchasing power off the base depends on the rate of exchange which changes frequently this is an important consideration when you make your financial plan i could give you one piece of advice it would be this keep on top of your own personal financial situation don't get overextended sound come over here broke you should be prepared to meet the required obligations after you arrive a tour in germany will be a satisfying and rewarding experience when you plan ahead for your trip discuss the details with your sponsor arrive knowing that you will not be overextended financially then you will be able to do your job effectively and efficiently and you will be able to take full advantage of the opportunities open to you in this interesting country you can enjoy visits to picture book locales that will take your breath away you can make the trip to the divided city of berlin and see for yourself why the army has brought you here to germany you will be able to enjoy armed forces recreation center facilities in the beautiful alpine area of southern germany if you want a skier now you can be by the time time you complete your tour you'll also have plenty of time to participate in a variety of other outdoor recreational activities you may or specially enjoy the popular german sport of folks marching walking in groups through local forest or through historic areas of famous cities or towns you can take part in a special programs such as contact where young american soldiers get together with young germans in all kinds of social activities and civic projects as you'd meet the german people one to one you learn that they are warm and friendly and generally more conservative than americans they have a strong traditional values and social rules that arise from generations of living in close contact with one another us sponsor can help acquaint you with german customers to help make your stay here more enjoyable the best way for you to get a good start on living and working in germany is to learn the language german language courses are offered to every soldier or civilian the army is a head start and the gateway programs will teach you some of the language and inform you about local customs most a c s and u s o suffer newcomers orientations which include local area tours and training and use of public transportation is the main thing you want when on station in germany is peace of mind be prepared when you come it your local a c s others learn all you can about germany begin studying the language plan ahead when you prepare yourself for your p c s in germany you will help a sure your a rival here will be the beginning of one of the most positive experiences of your life