Out with the Old & In with the New

When you PCS overseas the Army will pay to ship one POV: privately owned vehicle. We had to decide between shipping my Honda Civic or RC's Toyota Tacoma. I think it would be pretty apparent to most that a truck in Germany wouldn't really fly. The roads and parking spaces are just smaller. Could it have been done? Sure. Ideal? Not so much. So we made the decision to sell RC's truck and ship my Civic. I love my little Civic. She's the only car I've ever had. She is in great shape despite the many, many miles I've put on her. So the plan was to make her a world traveler, and then purchase another car once we were in Germany.

Then RC ran across the little beauty above on USAA.com. It was a match made in heaven. A Toyota Camry that was significantly newer than either of the cars we had with MUCH less mileage. Only one owner... She was a steal! Plus the listed price matched well with the trade-in value we would receive for RC's Toyota Tacoma. This was critical because if we were going to buy a car in the US before leaving we did not want to have to finance! If you finance a car the lender has to give you approval for the car to be shipped overseas. I've heard horror stories of military families not receiving approval and being stuck. We did not want to have to deal with that! So we forked over some cash and TADA we have a new car that we'll be shipping to Germany! I'm really excited to have something newer and I can't begin to tell you how much I love having four doors after driving a coupe for so long. Plus it's more family friendly. :)

Graduation Weekend

The time has finally come! RC graduated BOLC this past weekend! It was a really nice ceremony and we were so happy my parents were able to make the trip down! At the end of the ceremony we were able to take a look at both a Stryker and an Abrams; some of the fun toys RC gets to play with. (Don't quote me on that though- I'm like 95% I got the names right. Ha!) While RC and I were taking a picture together on the Stryker a lady called out "looks like the perfect Christmas card". I don't know if that's exactly the look we'll be going for come Christmas, but it definitely made me laugh!

I was and still am so proud of him. Unfortunately, there is no rest for the weary as he's started up another class that's comprised of a lot of field time. Maybe with a PCS coming up they'll give him a week or two off beforehand? Who knows.

Our weekend fun continued as we (RC, my parents, and I) decided to take the quick trip over to Auburn. RC and I have been talking about visiting Auburn since we got here. I'd heard before that Clemson and Auburn's campuses were very similar. In fact, it's even been quoted that "Clemson is Auburn with a lake". So that was my main motivation in wanting to go. I think RC's main reason was to see where Bo Jackson, Charles Barkley, Tim Hudson, and Cam Newton went to school and walk on the same grounds they did. :)  

I'd definitely agree about the similarities between campuses! There are less rolling hills at Auburn and newer buildings overall, but the orange brick buildings and small college town feel was dead on! In fact, Clemson's Tillman Hall and Auburn's Samford Hall were designed by the same architect. Overall, we loved our trip to Auburn. We got a box of Girl Scout cookies. RC "got his picture" with Cam Newton. And we got to see a beautiful campus! Also, I was so glad we were able to see Toomer's Corner before those poor trees die. Crazy Alabama fans. 

P.S. Clemson's stil prettier. :)

January Recap/PCSing and ACS Info.

RC is in the final weeks of his BOLC training which means lots of time in the field! It's crazy how fast time has flown by. It's definitely been one of those weird circumstances were it has seemed to drag on in the moment and then the next second you look up and wonder where the time has gone! I am so proud of RC and how well he has performed during BOLC. He is going to be such a great leader and officer. Plus, I know he is so ready to finally be in what I call "the real Army" and get out of GA! We only have to get through ARC and Airborne... then Germany here we come!

So what have I been doing while RC has been gone all this time? Well, working first of all. We've been trying to save all of my paychecks (our "fun" money) for traveling in Germany. Although at times I get frustrated sacrificing weekends with RC to work, I know having that extra money in Germany will be wonderful! I've also been trying to plan as much for Germany as possible. I've gone through the medical screening, received my tourist passport, applied for my no-fee passport, and now we're just waiting to receive orders with my name included for travel!

In the beginning the process was very frustrating. RC went to a briefing and received some paperwork to begin the process. But it was very scattered and somewhat unorganized. Most of the phone numbers I had been given were wrong numbers and everything required an appointment. How exactly are you supposed to schedule an appointment when you can't get a hold of anyone? But with a little patience everything worked out. Through my process I've definitely learned some information that I feel may be helpful to share. From my experience the Army isn't going to hand hold your hand through this process. You have to go out and figure it out yourself! The resources are there, you just have to utilize them!

Here are some of the resources that have helped me:

1. Get on Facebook and "like" your local installation's FMWR page! They are frequently updated and can keep you in the loop with things going on if you don't live on post. I found out about a PCS briefing on-post from the FWMR Facebook page, not from someone in the FRG or on post. 
2. Reach out to ACS! Army Community Services (ACS) hosted the PCS briefing and look at how helpful they were! ALL of this is information about going through a PCS as well as information on PCSing overseas. This information has been a lifesaver! I think your first PCS is going to be overwhelming, let alone PCSing to a foreign country; so I am a HUGE fan of ACS right now for providing all these resources. So what did I come home with? Maps of European countries, multiple translation books, a menu translator, tips on living and working in Germany, a packet on the process of shipping your POV, contact information to schedule our move, the drivers manual for Germany (hello, I need to study!),  how to request a sponsor, and a lovely 74 page packet on our new installation. And all of this was FREE! To say the least I'm a little relieved right now. I received a ton of information and no longer feel out of the loop. I was surprised to find out that I was on track and actually ahead of the curve with moving overseas. So maybe being a control freak isn't so bad! :)

Guten tag, everyone!