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Batman228
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« on: June 04, 2008, 09:19:14 PM » |
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Well everyone. I have been thinking of going Active Army, which would require me to pay back about $11,000 in bonus money from the guard. I am wanting to go Active and get stationed in Europe since my wife agrees with that notion. Does anyone see any reason why it would be stupid to act? I know I can get released from the Guard and the Big Army does seem to be having a few issues keeping people places. I know someone else has had to have went through this same thing at some point.
Phillip
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SNEEEZY
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« Reply #1 on: June 04, 2008, 10:11:43 PM » |
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What is your MOS?
How long have you been with the Guard?
Rank/Commission?
Base assignments are rarely guaranteed...how can you be certain that you'll even receive an assignment to Europe?
(Just playing devil's advocate....)
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 Life is short. Break the rules. Forgive quickly. Kiss slowly. Love truly.
Laugh uncontrollably...and never regret anything that made you smile. |
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JumpingJackFlash
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« Reply #2 on: June 05, 2008, 10:39:34 PM » |
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Why don't you stay in the guard and move to Europe? I knew some reserve and NG soldiers that came to SDDC at Ft. Eustis to pull duty, and they lived in Germany.
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Ventidue
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Penicillin cures, but wine makes people happy.
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« Reply #3 on: June 05, 2008, 11:27:18 PM » |
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There are lots of Active Guard in Europe. Big groups in Kaiserslautern and Vicenza. $11K is a lot to pay back, but you are tax free whenever you go to warm sandy places...
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I wanna go fast! 'ven-TEA-doo-eh'  |
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MD_IN_UK
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« Reply #4 on: June 08, 2008, 10:56:27 AM » |
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I served 4 of 7 years in what was West Germany during the "Cold War". I have also had the chance to speek with civilians who go there regularly for buiseness and they all say that it is completely changed since the wall came down, sadly, not for the better.
Europe is of course what you make it. See Tim in Italy, looks like he and his family are enjoying themselves. There is also the conversion of dollars to Euros. Right now, I don't think the dollar is gonna buy much.
The choice is yours, all I can say is it's an experience of a lifetime. I'll never forget it, and I look forward to vacationing in some of my old hangouts one day.
Good Luck with your decision.....
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Ventidue
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Posts: 268
Penicillin cures, but wine makes people happy.
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« Reply #5 on: June 08, 2008, 12:22:08 PM » |
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Before we got here, we were in Italy for 5 years, and Korea the year before that. It is great being stationed overseas, especially if you joined to travel.
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I wanna go fast! 'ven-TEA-doo-eh' |
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ReX
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« Reply #6 on: June 08, 2008, 11:10:02 PM » |
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I just got out of the Navy. Did 6 years and have seen every country you could imagine. Overall I like this one the best. I always checked the local laws for different things such as: modified cars, firearms, and even where the nearest McDonald's was located. All I can say is Europe is one of the better places vs. Korea, Dubai, Hong Kong,etc. I personally wouldn't want to pay back 11grand. I will also say that tax free isn't always worth it. Unless you are making really big bucks, you get most of your taxes back anyway. If you go to Europe, I'd recommend England or Germany. They seem to be the most "U.S. like", if that makes sense......... and almost everyone speaks English. Hard to order a Cheese burger using only hand signals. Anyway, didn't mean to go on a negative spill there. That is just my opinion. If your wife is for it, that is a great thing. I guess it would kind of be like an exotic honey moon for a few years. Either way, it is your decision. Good luck to you.
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Batman228
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« Reply #7 on: June 09, 2008, 08:04:27 PM » |
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I only get tax fre when I deploy, and since I re-enlisted in Afghanistan, that bonus was tax free to. Active recruiter said I could get a bonus that would cover what I have to pay back. THe wife is up for it. Italy does sound pretty good, I mean I have only been through there, but it looked nice. I am going to push the envolope of if you want me, it will cost you.......
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ReX
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« Reply #8 on: June 09, 2008, 11:28:43 PM » |
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Well played. Milk them for every cent. They will give you whatever you will take. If it is less, then they will sell it to you as a steal. I am sure that you already know this.
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Batman228
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« Reply #9 on: June 10, 2008, 10:26:01 AM » |
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Been there and done that. Swore in twice so far, and I work more closely with recruiters at the moment, so yeah, I know the spill.
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