Steps to take staying in Germany after US military

[DXS 0]

Need some help please.

 

I ETS soon from the army (march 2012) My job in the army is supply specialist and I want to stay and work here. I have a girlfriend who is duo citizen shes German and US. We are planning on getting married soon.

 

Im doubtful on how this might not work for me in finding a job here???

 

anyone thats been through the same situation and can give me a guide line or steps i should take?

but i definetly would want to stay here.

[2B_orNot2B 8,441]

Hi DXS.

 

I edited your topic title for clarity. Clear titles tend to attract more responses. There are many TT members who are ex-USAREUR or USAFE plus some old salts and leathernecks. I am sure they can and will rally around with good advise for you. However, if this takes time that may be because the US Military subforum is not a hanging out area as the main action areas are civilian oriented ones.

 

Your situation is not unique to military folks though as many US peeps have the same transitioning questions so you could find many answers on other posted topics. Look around in the "Life in Germany" Topics, or use the search box at the top right (2 - 3 Key words NOT phrases or questions) if you get no or few results try the "full search" or "google powered site search".

 

This post will at least bump you up the New Posts and Active Content ladders where manyTTers log in first. Good luck and welcome to Toytown.

 

2B

[rhody 3,169]

As far as I know, there is no advantage or disadvantage to being former US military in Germany when applying for a residence permit. You should be treated like any other non-EU citizen from one of the so-called-industrial countries. When I turned in my ID card, I was able to get my residence permit that day. It is better to be married to a German citizen beforehand in my opinion as that does afford more rights than not being married. Check the forum for the latest on this (i.e. how long you have to be married and where) as it makes no difference that you are currently stationed here because in the eyes of the German authorities you are not here anyway. You should get a residence permit and be allowed to look for work if you are married to a German. My suggestion though, is that unless you have really sought after skills, make sure your German is very good so you can increase your chances of finding a job.

[poohsan 2,486]

I believe more than a few ex-soldiers/airmen work for Pond

[Guest]

If you are planning on working for DOD in a civilian capacity, do not apply for a residence permit.

 

So far, you aren't really a resident of Germany. If you change that, you will not be able to work for DOD, except for positions for which German locals will also be hired and you will lose all of those benefits, such as PX and commisary privileges.

 

Think long and hard and start applying for DOD jobs, before you apply for residency in Germany.

[coloradoguy 224]

Start working on your German language skills now. Certifications are a must if doing anything job wise on the economy.

[Guest]

DXS, I just got off the phone with a friend of mine who lives in Hanau and recently retired from the US Army. I often hear him complain (laughingly) about his troubles when he retired and stayed here. He was a Lieutenant Colonel when he retired.

 

First, depending upon what you plan to do after you leave you're only going to have a 90 day window to make life altering plans. If you have a car, you'll be allowed to keep your USAREUR plates on the car for 90 days, beginning on the day of your retirement. In order to have German tags on the car, you'll need a German driving license. In order to get the German driving license you'll need to register at the Einwohnermeldeamt. If you do that during those 90 days, you'll loose any chance of working on post as a US hired employee. Once you've registered, you've lost your chances of working on post as a US hire.

 

He suggests while you're on Terminal Leave, submit applications with the PX, Burger King, all those to keep your options open and that hire often. Hypothetically, if you ETS on 31 March, your time starts on 1 April. Submit applications during the first week of April, but put an availability date down for 1 May, to give yourself some down time. But keep looking. If nothing happens after two months, then it's time to get mentally ready that you're going to have to register at the Einwohnermeldeamt.

 

Basically, you're going to want to use those 90 days as efficiently as possible to keep all doors open to opportunity.

 

I hope that helps you.

[VMan 761]

Hondo Man, great answers but there are some imputs from me that may differ. Retirees are different than an ex-military person getting out with no income and medical. Therefore they are treated differently in Kaiserslautern for a residence permit. Most are married to local nationals or were married and have children here. If you go with a residence permit, you are still allowed DOD employment within a year of the residence permit and you have not work in the German system. The residence permit does not disqualify you from DOD employment. The work permit does. I retired here last year but decided to stay on the SOFA side. While on terminal leave, I worked for 86 Services at Ramstein so that the day I retired, I just transfered my SOFA/Logistical support from my Military unit to 86 Services. During my time I was actively applying for DOD employment and was picked up within 3 months after my official retirement date. After starting my new employment in DOD, I transfered my SOFA/Logistical support from 86 Services to the US Army/Civilian. But I was lucky. Recruitment and hiring of DOD jobs can take up to 6 months. That is why it is important to apply even when still on active duty military...One of my ex-managers from the military retired out of Rhein-Main, Frankfurt in 2005 and transfered everything to residence permit including his auto plates (he got initially 3 year stay at Frankfurt Auslander behorde) but he did not work. He then got DOD employment within 6 months at Baulmholder and again transfered from residence back to SOFA/Logistical support status. Another thing...USAREUR regulation 190-1 states..the day after you separate or retire from military service, you lose your USAREUR driving privilages and plates at 0100 hours. This means that it is prudent to have logistical support before separating or retireing in the local area.

[BrooklynNY 15]

I was in the same situation in 2009, and look, I'm still here It wasn't that hard, its called an "European-Out". You can also obtain your German drivers license for free as long as you have a USAUER one, go to your vehicle and registration and they can assist you with it.

The best thing is to start your European Out now, I waited for the last month before getting out and that was the wrong move. A lot of documents is involved and need to get signed off by higher up, sometimes it sits on their desks for days.. You may also be required to get signatures from German Authorities (Police check..)

 

So get with vehicle and reg and apply for your German License.

Get with your HR and start your European Out Packet.

[J-Dub 30]

If you are planning to ETS out of the military, I hope you have applied for a European out-process. If you have not already you MUST do so NOW! This process can take 2-4 months to complete since it must be approved by the Commanding GENERAL of your branch of service in Europe. A European out-process is a very lengthy process as I have also done it as well. I got out in 2007 and I am still in Germany now. What you will need:

 

(1) Military police report showing you have not committed any crimes while stationed in Germany.

(2) German police report showing you have not committed any crimes while in Germany and this must be translated by your legal office on post.

(3) Valid reason for applying for European out-process.

(4) Completion of the 'request for European Out-process' ask your commander for this packet. It has to be approved at least 2 months prior to your ETS.

(5) Your personnel officer, company commander, battalion/brigade commander, commanding general, and the Department of the Army/Navy/AirForce must all approve it. This process can take months. Do the paperwork at least 4 months in advance of your ETS date to be certain it gets approved in time.

(6) You must also write a letter to the local government requesting residency (this letter goes to the city to where you intend to live after the military.) Legal office on post can help you with this, since it must be written in German. The letter must state that you plan on staying in Germany after your military service expires, i.e. what you plan to do as far as employment and contributing to German society.

(7) Once you have your European out-process approved by ALL of the military channels, head on over to the Ausländerbehörde and get your Aufenthaltstitel, which is your residency/work permission. I highly recommend beforehand that you learn some basic German before this step since they WILL NOT speak English with you there. They will want to see your German skills and if they are too shabby, they may not approve you. This is why I STRONGLY suggest learning some German before you go over there. The Ausländerbehörde is the only thing stopping you from staying in Germany once the military allows you to stay. Impressing them with some German helps. I can tell you this from experience.

 

The most important thing right now is that you get that Request for European Out-Process paperwork completed NOW! At least have it signed by the highest ranking officer in your unit in 1 month time. There is not a moment to waste, since once you get your orders to fly out of Germany, it is TOO LATE. Get started on the documents needed now. Time is in the essence here and every second you waste is a second crucial to you staying in Germany. The longer you take to get approved by the commanding general, the less the chance you will be able to stay in Germany after the military. This process took me 6 months to complete and the commanding general signed my request at the last minute(with luck) within 48 hours of my ETS, through a personal favor of my brigade commander. Not everyone can be as lucky as I was. This is why I advise you to start on it now, so you have enough time to get this approved before your ETS orders come.

[J-Dub 30]

Guest, if he does not apply for German residency, he will only be allowed to stay in Germany for 90 days. He can ONLY stay under the military DOD system if he has been HIRED for a position in the DOD. Otherwise, he will have to apply for German residency with the German government or else face being deported by the German authorities. Getting DOD employment is not easy, and many find it takes YEARS before getting into the system. That is the cold hard truth. Depending on his commanding general, he may have to show either an employment contract with DOD or a request for residency from the German government. This is what I had to give to get approved. I spent 1 year looking for a DOD position and it never happened. That is why I just learned German and applied for the German residency/work permit. I had no other choice. If I can't get work in 1 year with DOD, how would I get it in the 90 days? He has to either be accepted for a DOD position or have a German residency/work permit at the time he sends in his paperwork for approval. Any other way does not work. I had this experience as well and it took a LONG time to get approved. No contract with DOD for work, apply for the German residency/work permit. Any other way WILL NOT WORK since he will not be approved by the military to stay in Germany after his ETS without one or the other.

[J-Dub 30]

Also take into account that just 'wanting to stay in Germany' after your ETS is no longer a valid reason to stay with the military anymore. This is why you need to have some kind of employment plan beforehand, whether it be DOD or German employment. One of the two must happen in order to have ANY chance to get your European Out-process approved. Soldiers who are going to ETS and just 'like Germany and want to stay because it is a nice country' will NEVER, I repeat, NEVER, get approved. Find employment, get a contract, regardless if it is from DOD or the German side. If you are a supply guy, and wish to work on the German side, I suggest you contact ITT or DS2 (Lockheed) for employment opportunities if you can't find anything on the DOD side. I worked for DS2/ITT for 4 years and they provide additional training for former military supply people and pay well. I assume you are familiar with ULLS-G or the current military supply system, TAMMS. If you know these systems, getting employment with ITT or DS2 should be a cinch. They are constantly looking for these kinds of workers and as I said, they pay really good. Another chance for you to find employment would be CACI. CACI hires all kinds of different skilled workers in many different job fields and they work directly with the military. They also pay well and have offices in Kaiserslautern. I worked for CACI as well as a vehicle inspector for 2 years and the job was laid back and paid great. I would also keep on looking at DOD opportunities as well, i.e. DOD and Commissary since having logistical support is superior. You may get lucky, you may not. If not, just remember the names of the 3 companies that I have given you that operate under the German system...CACI, DS2 (Lockheed), and ITT. These 3 companies hire the most skilled U.S. workers in Germany and are constantly looking for former military supply workers.

[VMan 761]

J-DuB, many and myself included obtain employment in NAF or AFFES while still in the military as a Flex 20 position. 20 hours a week or more gives you SOFA status so all you do is transfer your ID card, Vehicle documents, SOFA card, mailbox, to your new sponsor at your ETS. However you still must do the "European Out" process which depending on your command can be a pain. Mine took 2 months to get approved. Some Commanders may want to see your bank statements.

[DXS 0]

I appreciate all the help from everyone that contributed in the steps to take to stay here in Germany.

Im very happy I got my European out Package approved.

 

Now my next step is trying to get a job either on post or in the economy.

 

With the package being approved does anyone know how long I can stay here in Germany? Or let me say how long I have to get a job. Im trying now to get a job online but most of them require the dd214 along with the resume which i dont get until I Final out and I dont get that until later on.

 

My German is not good. But I will be taking classes soon.

 

Thank You all.

[DXS 0]

Im also trying to get my International Licence before I final out.

 

Im about to search those 3 companies ITT DS2(Lockheed) and CACI.

 

Thank you.

[myd 0]

hi;

 

I came to Germany on a tourist passport on feb 24 2018 to visit my wife & child who are German. On 25 April I got a job with AAFES  which I resigned from on 24  Jun 2018.  I Had been here in Germany in Dec 2017 for 14days.  Does my 90 days start over on the tourist passport or not?  I intend to register next for a residence permit and work permit with the Germans to stay with my wife.  I no longer am interested in logistical support

[danielg 18]

While I don't know for sure if your 90 days restarts after you loose SOFA - I think it does - I wouldn't worry too much about it. Your right to stay in Germany is quite strong with a German wife and child so even if you register on the 91st day, other than a stern word from the official, I don't think much will happen. As long as you can document from when to when you had logistical support you should be fine.