Any thoughts on a Reserve Officer bring non-command sponsored dependents on a 1 year ADOS-AC tour to Germany?

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 11 Apr 2014 09:55:09 -0400

Occasionally, reserve Soldiers get great opportunities to mobilize for active duty tours in various overseas locations (Germany, Italy, Japan, Korea, etc). Often times these orders are issued 1 year at a time and therefore make it virtually impossible to receive "accompanied" orders. Soldiers spend enough time away from their families as it is, so in the case of a place like Germany, is it feasible / advisable to bring family in a non-command sponsored status? What are the implications or considerations?

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 11 at 2014 10:23 AM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 11 Apr 2014 10:23:30 -0400

I just came off a 1 year tour in Germany and since the orders are pcs orders now it should be easier for them to come over. Just remember when you go over with the family you will lose your BAH because you will have to find something on the economy and it will be taken care of by the housing office over there. There's a reserve office at USAREUR that handles all mobilized reservist and they can give you all the details. My wife is a school teacher, so she came over during the breaks and the entire summer. I was lucky that another officer was going to ILE during the summer and he let us use his house for that time. It would have cost me almost $5000 just for the summer if I tried to rent a furnished apartment.

Response by BG Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 11 at 2014 3:30 PM

BG Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 11 Apr 2014 15:30:08 -0400

Another factor to consider is the SOFA agreement. I have experience with this in Korea, not Germany, but it should be similar. If your spouse is not command-sponsored, she will not get the normal benefits afforded spouses such as Commissary, PX and, more importantly, health. I have seen it done, but a little research on your part can avoid some headaches when you are there.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 11 at 2014 3:47 PM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 11 Apr 2014 15:47:58 -0400

Though I haven't found anything specific from the Army side of the house yet, this link http://www.marforeur.marines.mil/Portals/115/Docs/RLO%20LETTER.pdf discusses this situation from a Marine Corps Reserve perspective and indicates in Para 3 (a) that Non-Command Sponsored Dependents in Germany qualify for the SOFA stamp in their passports just like command-sponsored ones. Any one have any validation of this? Also, does the Commissary / PX in Germany require more than the standard Military Dependent ID Card for dependents and spouses?

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