Best advice for OCONUS PCS assignments?

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 09 Jan 2015 10:58:31 -0500

I an effort to consolidate down the recurring discussions and maybe simplify where people can ask questions or get some questions they may not have thought of answered, I thought I would start this thread.

If you have any advice you would like to bestow on those people who are moving to Korea, Japan, UAE, Germany, Italy, etc., post it here. There are a plethora of web sites out there that give information about cell phones, cars, shipping Household Goods (HHG), etc. If you have links, post them. If you have personal experience, please share. If you have some inside advice of places to visit or avoid, let us know.

Response by CW5 Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 9 at 2015 11:43 AM

CW5 Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 09 Jan 2015 11:43:41 -0500

Here's a piece of advice that just recently became an issue for a person I know: When shipping your car OCONUS, follow the instructions. In this case, the instructions said to have less than 1/4 tank of gas in the car when you take it to the site where it will be processed for shipment. This fellow I know didn't take that seriously, so he wound up driving his car around for several hours to burn up the gas. I asked him about siphoning the gas out. He said he didn't think about that.

Here's some helpful info on this subject:

http://www.military.com/off-duty/autos/shipping-car-overseas-checklist.html

Shipping Your Car Overseas: Checklist

Be sure to keep track of these directions and reminders when shipping your personally owned vehicle (POV) overseas.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 9 at 2015 11:51 AM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 09 Jan 2015 11:51:49 -0500

I am PCSing to Izmir, Turkey to join a NATO HQs soon, so will be following this thread even as I reach out to others here and with other resources.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 14 at 2015 4:48 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 14 Feb 2015 04:48:15 -0500

I am PCS to Grafenwoehr / Vilseck. Any advice for moving overseas? Any advice on the area or living OCONUS?

Response by MAJ(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 14 at 2015 5:22 AM

MAJ(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 14 Feb 2015 05:22:00 -0500

Each region has its own experiences (obviously). I think the absolute best approach is to quickly fill out your DA form 5434. Hopefully, you'll be assigned an appropriate sponsor IAW AR 600-8-8.

Sponsorship is so critical when going OCONUS. Your sponsor is your best resource...if you're lucky enough to get the right one.

I can speak about Japan and Korea. I PCSd with nothing. I brought nothing knowing I would bring back stuff that I would acquired during my tour. Owning a car and driving was a privilege in Okinawa and only Army personnel and senior leaders were allowed to own vehicles.

But a cheap one locally, depending on your location, with the intent of leaving it behind; unless you're headed to Germany. The cars you can obtain there are often worth buying and bringing home.

If you're married and it's appropriate, allow your spouse to get a job on post/base. She/he will need to new community of friends. It can become lonesome while you're at work. Being homesick is a regular concern.

If you're a lower enlisted Soldier headed to Korea, know that you cannot apply for command sponsorship until you arrive. Even then, you're at the mercy of your location and position.

Remain vigilant and never become complacent. Learn and enjoy the culture. Safely explore, but never alone. Have fun. Reside on post/base if you can. Then again, you might not have a choice or certain assignments might be best for living off post. Also, verify the advise you receive.

Lastly, the upper echelon's G1 website often has great and pertinent information.

Response by CW3 Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 14 at 2015 10:56 AM

CW3 Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 14 Feb 2015 10:56:49 -0500

If you PCS to Germany and decide to buy a car over there, ensure it has a catalytic converter. U-Kat is not acceptable, G-Kat is the only way to go. Anything else, and you will not be allowed to ship it back to the U.S.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 14 at 2015 11:43 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 14 Feb 2015 11:43:23 -0500

JPPSO

Response by CPL Aaron Cottingham made Feb 14 at 2015 1:21 PM

CPL Aaron Cottingham — Sat, 14 Feb 2015 13:21:04 -0500

May seem weird but, Nagasaki will blow your mind. In a good way.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 14 at 2015 4:52 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 14 Apr 2015 04:52:10 -0400

Question for those who have PCS'd overseas over there:

Our intention is to bring our vehicle (2014 Nissan Juke). Is it better to buy a vehicle or ship your own?