What do I need to PCS to Germany?

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When you get orders to PCS to Germany, the first thing you need to do is get your passport! But you don’t just need a tourist passport. You also need a no fee passport, and you may need an official military passport as well. It can seem really complicated at first, and it’s really important that you get it all right!

Is Germany a good duty station?

Germany is a popular overseas duty station for the military. Don’t fret if you ever get PCS orders to Germany, there’s a lot to do! When you have your PCS Binder all ready to go, get excited for Germany! Getting stationed OCONUS, especially in Europe, means plenty of opportunity for travel, culture, and memories.

How long are you stationed in Germany?

Normally OCONUS assignments are three years, so you will have at least two years during which you’ll feel pretty comfortable!

Does Germany count as a deployment?

I wanted to clear up a few myths about being stationed in Germany. If they are stationed in Germany they will not have to deploy. Although it is true that some people who get stationed overseas will not have to deploy, getting stationed overseas does not mean no deployment. As a whole Germany is not non-deployable.

What is the extra pay for deployment?

As of 2018, a military member assigned to or deployed to a combat zone receives bonus combat pay (officially called “hostile fire” or “imminent danger pay”), at a rate of $225 per month. It is in addition to their regular pay rate.

Can you PCS to Germany with guns?

U.S. personnel who come to Germany are not permitted to bring privately owned firearms with them until they are properly registered with the U.S. forces and German authorities. Unfortunately, this cannot be done prior to arrival.

Can you live off base in Germany?

German Off-Base Housing Many military installations in Germany have dedicated government housing on base. However, most do not have enough housing to accommodate all service members. Therefore, you should expect to live off base for at least a portion of your time in Germany.