Posted on Feb 28, 2019
I'll be heading to my first duty station soon (Baumholder), Does anybody have any tips for me?
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Baumholder, Germany
Smith Barracks
First duty station
Smith Barracks
First duty station
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 19
Go off post, away from the areas and businesses that are "Americanized" and meet folk that are more typical Germany.
Try local food and beer.
Try local food and beer.
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My tips: Have fun. Lots of it. Travel on your off time (trains go everywhere and are fairly reasonable in price). Go towards more areas with less Americans as those tend to be the best places.
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Mine started with a week of German head start, I hope they're still doing that. You'll learn a few phrases, but the cultural norms were most important to me. Use German as best you can when you are in the community. It goes a long way. With the apps available, it's easier now, too.
Check with MWR, and take the weekend trips to Paris, London, etc.
Get your license as early as possible, so you can travel within Germany easier. Rent for the weekend, or buy a German car and sell it before you leave. If they still have speed cameras, the time to know where they are, isn't as it flashes to capture your license plate and you. That Audi station wagon 0.5 mile back in your rear view mirror, that just got your attention by flashing it's lights, will be on your bumper in seconds, so move over.
Trains are another great travel option. One of my coworkers regularly took his entire family on trips all across Germany, and even to London. Worth the additional effort to learn.
Check with MWR, and take the weekend trips to Paris, London, etc.
Get your license as early as possible, so you can travel within Germany easier. Rent for the weekend, or buy a German car and sell it before you leave. If they still have speed cameras, the time to know where they are, isn't as it flashes to capture your license plate and you. That Audi station wagon 0.5 mile back in your rear view mirror, that just got your attention by flashing it's lights, will be on your bumper in seconds, so move over.
Trains are another great travel option. One of my coworkers regularly took his entire family on trips all across Germany, and even to London. Worth the additional effort to learn.
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