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PCSing

Settling In at Ramstein: 5 Things Every Military Spouse Should Know

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Moving to Germany can feel exciting – and overwhelming – at the same time. Whether you’re here on a short TDY/TLA stay or in the middle of a PCS waiting for permanent housing, the first days set the tone for everything that follows. Many spouses arrive asking the same questions: Where do we stay? How do we get around? How do we meet people?

Here are five insights inspired by real experiences from families who’ve already settled into the KMC.

1. Finding a Place to Stay

Your first lodging in Germany shapes your entire transition. Most families begin in TLA/TDY-friendly accommodations before moving into their long-term home. The right setup can make those first weeks feel manageable instead of chaotic.

Popular areas with short commutes include Ramstein-Miesenbach, Landstuhl, Weilerbach, Mackenbach, and Kaiserslautern.

Look for essentials that simplify your daily routine: a full kitchen, laundry, and high-speed Wi-Fi — especially if you’re juggling kids, appointments, or paperwork. Make sure to ask whether utilities like electricity, water, and heating are included in the per diem or covered under your TLA allowance, since some off-base units list these costs separately. Knowing the full daily rate up front helps avoid unexpected expenses and ensures the documentation is accepted by Finance.

Working with a company that specializes in short-term TLA/TDY stays can make this part much easier. These providers are familiar with the standards for TLA reimbursement and typically include the essentials—furnished apartments, full kitchens, laundry, utilities, and reliable internet—so families don’t have to worry about surprises during in-processing. In the KMC, options like Stay Eden (https://stay-eden.com) offer fully equipped apartments and dependable English-speaking support. 

Pro tip: If there’s a chance housing might be delayed, choose a place where extending your stay is easy. It prevents the stress of moving multiple times. 

2. Getting Around

Many newcomers assume Ramstein station is the main hub because it shares the name of the base, but it’s actually Landstuhl that has the better connections — a surprise for almost everyone arriving for the first time. Still, many families choose to get a car, especially with children or during the winter. In the smaller towns and villages around Ramstein, having your own car makes daily life much easier, since buses run less frequently and flexibility matters during PCS and in-processing.

On the Autobahn, some stretches have no speed limit, while others use strict speed cameras. Just keep an eye on the signs — they really do matter here. 

Train connections are efficient:

  • Kaiserslautern → Mannheim: 40–50 minutes
    (Mannheim is a big regional hub with lots of train connections, so once you’re there, it’s easy to reach other major cities.)
  • Kaiserslautern → Frankfurt International Airport: 1–1.5 hours

Buses supplement the rail system and can take you to the bus stops just outside the base gates.

Insider tip: Download the DB Navigator app – it shows real-time routes, schedules, and delays. And if you’re driving, many locals use a “blitzer app” to stay aware of speed cameras. Keep in mind that using them while driving is not permitted.

3. Finding Your Community

The KMC is huge, but it’s still easy to feel isolated when you first get here. Building a network makes a world of difference.

Great places to start include:

  • Facebook groups like “Ramstein Spouses” and “KMC Connect”
  • USO events, fitness classes, and local German clubs
  • Playgroups such as KMC Parents Support Group, MOPS KMC, or local toddler meet-ups
  • Youth sports through Ramstein Youth Sports, CYS, or community soccer clubs
  • Casual coffee meet-ups hosted by the USO or groups like KMC Coffee & Friends


Honestly, many friendships start with nothing more than a simple, ‘Are you new here too?’

4. Understanding Cultural Differences

Germany isn’t complicated – it’s just different, and most of it clicks once you’re living here.

  • Cash matters. Most big stores accept credit cards, but many cafés and small shops prefer cash or German debit cards.
  • Sundays are quiet. Nearly everything is closed, and loud household chores are discouraged.
  • Small talk is limited. Germans may seem direct, but it’s not meant to be rude.
  • Recycling is serious. Expect colored bins and weekly schedules; ask your landlord how it works.
  • Store hours vary. Supermarkets usually close earlier than in the U.S., often by 8–9 p.m., and small shops in rural areas may close even earlier. Most places are completely closed by 10 p.m., so late-night grocery runs aren’t really an option. Many local bakeries are only open in the mornings, especially on weekends.

Many Germans speak good English, especially in the KMC area, even if they’re modest about it at first.

Insider tip: A simple smile or “Danke” often changes the whole tone. Germans just take a moment to warm up.

5. Don’t Forget Yourself — Self-Care During a PCS

A PCS isn’t only logistics—it’s emotional work. You’re adjusting to a new country while supporting everyone else. It’s normal to feel stretched thin.

What truly helps in the KMC:

  • When you have a free moment, planning a small day trip can help break the PCS fog.
    Burg Nanstein, Gelterswoog Lake, and Kaiserslautern’s old town are easy, low-effort options.
  • Try something new together.
    A Saturday-morning bakery run, grabbing a real Brezel, a Christmas market in winter, or a summer wine fest with a cold “Schorle” can bring instant joy and help shift your focus from stress to curiosity.
  • Build gentle routines.
    A daily walk, a coffee ritual, journaling, or a favorite bakery stop can anchor your day when everything feels unfamiliar.
  • Give yourself permission to slow down.
    Jet lag, paperwork, and housing stress drain your energy. It’s okay to take things one step at a time.
  • Use local wellness options.
    Spas and saunas are a big part of German culture—quiet, affordable, and surprisingly restorative.

Insider tip: Even a quick visit to Monte Mare Kaiserslautern — with its warm pools, saunas, and quiet relaxation rooms — can feel like hitting a mental reset on PCS stress. If you prefer something closer to base, Cubo Sauna & Wellnessmassage in Landstuhl is a calm, cozy alternative. 

Conclusion

Life in the KMC becomes easier much faster than most newcomers expect. Choosing the right lodging — with the space, comfort, and essentials you need — makes those first weeks feel steadier and gives you an anchor while everything else is still new. With a car or the DB Navigator app, a solid understanding of lodging options, realistic expectations for TLA, and a few cultural insights, Ramstein quickly starts to feel familiar. Patience and a bit of local know-how make the transition not only manageable but genuinely rewarding. Germany offers small-town comfort, a strong community, and easy access to Europe — all from one of the busiest U.S. military hubs overseas.


About the Author
Laura Gerdes is a local housing expert in the KMC and supports military families in finding comfortable off-base lodging near Ramstein Air Base. Having lived in the community herself, she shares practical insights with newcomers and hosts one of the most active local Facebook groups linking landlords with U.S. renters: ‘KMC Rentals’ (https://www.facebook.com/groups/kmcrentals)

Settling In at Ramstein: 5 Things Every Military Spouse Should Know

When It Is Time To Say Goodbye, To A Place You Called Home

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When It Is Time To Say Goodbye, To A Place You Called Home

The day is finally here, and you can’t really believe it. The movers will be here at 7, or maybe 8. Hopefully no later than 9. They will come to pick up your household goods. You will see them again soon, after a five day trip across the county.

You can’t help but wonder how this happened so fast. Sure, you were ready to get out of here, four years is a long time in one place. Sure, you couldn’t wait to PCS, you had been dying to move closer to your family ever since your husband joined the military 10 years ago. But now that this move was really happening? You are a ball of emotions.

You wonder how you will say goodbye to the best friends you have made here. Will you ever see them again? Will they ever be able to visit?

You wonder how you will get to know a new community. That took a while when you first moved here. Will it take that long again?

You wonder how your kids will do. They have to start over in a new school. You know they are scared, how can you help them through?

You are not sure what you should do once you get there. Should you look for a job? Is it worth taking a few classes to get your license in a new state?

As you drink your coffee, waiting for the military movers, you hope you will like your new home. Your current place is the only home your three-year-old knows. There are so many memories in this small home.

You might hate how small the closets are, or how much in BAH you are giving up but this place is home, and now it is time to move to another one.

It is time to say goodbye to a place you have called home, and you know that is never easy.

You have gone through a PCS before, you can do this. You will shed a few tears and then move on like you always have. You will be on the road soon and this duty station will become a memory.

In the years to come, you won’t miss the traffic getting on post, but you will miss all the playdates you had at the park by Starbucks.

You won’t miss how difficult getting a well-child appointment for your kids was, but you will miss the little cafe you would meet your husband at for lunch sometimes, waiting to pick up your son from pre-school.

You won’t miss how hard making good friends here way, but you will miss the friends you did meet, the memories you made, and all the fun you had together.

A PCS is an emotional time for any military spouse. You have to say goodbye to a place you have called home. You might never return, and you might never see these people again.

We are so lucky to live in a time with Facebook so we can keep in touch very easily. We can text our friends as we head our separate ways. We can watch their kids grow up through photos, even though we probably remember them the ages they were when we said goodbye.

We can look forward to starting over in a new place. We trade humidity for Alaskan summers. We trade being close to home for overseas experiences. We learn to live anywhere and bloom where we are stationed.

And after a few years, it is time to move again. To start the process all over. To watch the moving truck come and go.

To clean the house one last time. To pack the car. And watch your past fade into the future.

And there will be tears, and there will be laughter, and there will be hope. Hope that in your new place you can feel at home again soon. That this PCS will be a little easier because you have been through it all before.

You have hope that you will make new best friends, ones you will make some amazing memories with.

You have hope that you will get to know a new community, and your new duty station will soon feel just like home sooner, rather than later.

You have hope that your kids will be okay, and will look at this as an adventurous part of their childhood.

It is time to say goodbye to a place you have called home, and you know that is never easy. But you also know that this move is apart of your military life journey. And that no matter how different your new place is from what you knew before, you will figure everything out, as so many military spouses have done before.

Are you PCSing anytime soon? Where will you be going???

Did You Know Lowe’s and Home Depot Have a Military Discount?

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It’s date night! We go to dinner, maybe to a movie, but oftentimes we find ourselves at Lowe’s. Whether we want to get ideas for a new project or to buy some new plants for the garden. Lowe’s and Home Depot also have a military discount, which we use for almost each and every visit. I love saving money!

Lowe’s Military Discount

Lowe's Military Discount

Lowe’s first opened in 1921 in North Carolina. They offer a 10% military discount on eligible items, both online and in-store. You need to create a MyLowe’s account. At Lowe’s, not only can your service member sign up for the military discount, but you as a military spouse can too. After you have signed up, when you visit the store, provide your phone number, and they will be able to add the discount. At the Lowe’s here near Fort Campbell, they always tend to ask too.

Recently, we were very happy that Lowe’s had a military discount, as we purchased wood and soil for our new garden area in our backyard. Not only that, but when I get in the mood to buy some new seeds or other items for our garden, I know I can save a few dollars using the military discount.

Home Depot Military Discount

Home Depot Military Discount

Home Depot started much later in 1978 in Atlanta and also offers a 10%. Their discount is similar in that you have to sign up for their program, and can use the military discount online or in person. They do have a limit of $400 per year, and as a spouse, you can only sign up after your service member has done so.

Last year we went to Home Depot and found the perfect outside couch for our deck. I fell in love with it. Unfortunately, they didn’t have the sofa in stock at our Home Depot, but I was able to buy the couch online using the military discount.

Saving Money on Military Discounts

Here in Tennessee, our sales tax is almost 10% so when we use the military discount at Lowe’s or Home Depot I know it typically covers most of the tax. This means I can compare the cost at the Exchange when I am shopping for appliances, since the Exchange is tax-free.

Whether you’re working on a home project, preparing for a PCS, or just need a few items from a home improvement store, take the time to sign up for the Lowe’s and Home Depot Military Discounts. You can use them wherever you are stationed within the United States, and of course, online.

Beyond Lowe’s and Home Depot, you can find military discounts at other stores, restaurants, and even amusement parks. Military discounts are great ways to save a little money and are typically pretty easy to use. If you are unsure if a particular store offers a military discount or not, make sure to ask just in case. You will be glad that you did.

The Practical Military Spouse Guide to Spring Cleaning Your Life

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The Practical Military Spouse Guide to Spring Cleaning Your Life

Spring is almost here, and with so much going on in our lives, it can feel like we need a practical military spouse guide to spring cleaning in order to focus on the tasks at hand. Whether you’re gearing up for a potential PCS in the coming year or simply aiming to enhance the livability of your current space, now is the perfect time to get things in order.

Here are some fun tips to help you with your spring cleaning:

  • Remove extra PCS stickers, you know you still have some from your last move. Unless you want to make a PCS sticker ornament.
  • Do you really need to keep those curtains? You haven’t used them in the last two houses, and they certainly don’t fit in this one.
  • Go and deliver those bags that have been driving around in your trunk after you did some Marie Kondo in your home a few weeks ago. It’s time for them to go.
  • Pretend you actually are PCSing, what should you get rid of? Would you really want to move with all of your current household goods? Is now the time to replace your old couches?
  • Focus on yourself sometimes. Are you getting enough me time? What can you do to change that? Self-care is important, especially if you are in the midst of solo parenting.
  • Find space for all that military crap. The living room is not an ideal place. Clean out a closet, or buy some extra storage. And quit tripping over those boots.
  • Go through your kid’s toys, get rid of all the broken ones, the Mcdonald’s toys, and anything they don’t care about anymore. The fewer toys they have, the easier it is for them to keep their room clean. Also, this is an ongoing battle that you will have to deal with for years.
  • Delete those emails from your old FRG, you don’t need them anymore. That deployment ended in 2019. If they are still sending them to you? Shoot them an email asking to take you off the list. You have moved on.
  • Do something with all those love letters. Put them in a scrapbook, hang them on a wall, or put them in a frame. They are special and should be celebrated. Unless they are super mushy romantic…then, keep them in your underwear drawer instead.
  • Donate those old ball dresses. You never go anyway. And if you do sometime in the future, you have an excuse to buy another dress.
  • Put up those photos you have been meaning to put up since you moved in six months ago. You know you want to, you have a lot of great ones from your past duty stations. Make time for this and your house will thank you.
  • Dust. I know, dusting sucks. Make your kids do it. Pay them in cookies.
  • Go through your makeup. That stuff doesn’t last forever. And isn’t it nice to buy something new every once in a while? Don’t forget your brushes.
  • Go through your books. Keep the ones you love, and pass on the ones you don’t. Save the deployment ones, you never know when you might need them again. Sigh.
  • Go through your DVDs. Can you find these movies on Netflix? If so, get rid of them. Except for the ones you always have to watch when they are deployed. You never know when Netflix will pull them and you always want to have them on hand.

Life is busy. We all have a lot going on. I hope this military spouse guide to spring cleaning your life can get you started in the right direction.

What do YOU like to do to spring clean your home? Any tips???

The Practical Military Spouse Guide to Spring Cleaning Your Life

PCSing with a Dog or Cat: Will the Military Pay?

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PCSing with a Dog or Cat: Will the Military Pay?

Are you PCSing with a dog or a cat? Will the military pay to move them?

PCSing is a huge part of your life as a military family. Whether you move every 2-3 years, or are able to stay at a duty station a little longer, moving is going to be apart of your life.

We all know that the military will move a military family once they get orders to their new location. However, does that include pets?

You Can Receive Between $550 to $2,000 as a Reimbursement

The answer is…yes, they will reimburse you for the expense of moving your pet. If you are PCSing with a dog or cat, you can receive either $2,000 for an overseas move, or $550 for a move within the lower 48. Remember that Alaska and Hawaii both qualify as overseas locations as far as the military is concerned.

It is important to remember that this is for one dog OR cat. Not both. This is a new benefit that started January 1st of this year, so if you do have more than one pet, you will need to pay out of pocket for them.

If you are ordered to evacuate from a foreign duty station, you are then authorized for transportation and quarantine fees for up to two pets, dogs, and cats.

Why Did This Benefit Get Added?

The Secretary of Defense, Lloyd J. Austin III has been in office since January of 2021. The Secretary of Defense is the principal assistant to the President in all matters relating to the Department of Defense and serves on the National Security Council.

Since Lloyd J. Austin III has taken office, he has worked to strengthen support for Defense Department personnel and their families under his, “TakingCare of Our Service Members and Families” campaign.

Jennifer McPherson-Todd, the Director of the Defense Travel Management Office commented, “DOD recognizes that pets can be a source of stability and security to service members and families who often move. Defraying the cost of PCS moves involving a pet acknowledges the role played by these emotional constants and will improve quality of life for the force.”

Getting ready for a PCS?: PCSing Anytime Soon? These Companies, Organizations, and Resources Can Help

Reimbursement When PCSing with a Dog or Cat

What travel costs are included in the reimbursement when PCSing with a dog or cat?

  • Quarantine fees
  • Mandatory microchipping
  • Boarding fees
  • Hotel service charges
  • Licensing fees at the new duty station
  • Shipping fees if the service member flies, rather than drives

What does a military family need to do to receive the reimbursement?

Make sure your orders are dated for on or after 01/01/2024. This is when this benefit started. Your service member will need to fill out form DD 1351-2. They must submit all receipts for the travel expenses and additional documentation may be required. The documation can differ by branch, for example, this is what the Air Force has put out.

You can also check out Pet Transportation Allowance FAQs and The Joint Travel Regulations.

Happy PCSing!

PCSing with a Dog or Cat: Will the Military Pay?

The Good, Bad, and Ugly of Military Duty Stations

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The Good, Bad, and Ugly of Military Duty Stations

Moving every few years is a big part of military life. Sometimes you get orders to places you want to go. Other times you get orders for places you would never want to even visit. The key is preparing yourself for your new location, and the best way to do so is to hear from others who have been there.

Here is a list of military duty stations, and what followers from the Soldier’s Wife, Crazy Life Facebook page have to say about each place.

If you have just received orders to a new location, click on the link and learn the good, bad, and ugly about each place. That should help you prepare for your upcoming PCS. And if you have already been stationed at any of these places, feel free to add your own advice and thoughts to the threads.

Stationed in Alaska

Stationed in Hawaii

Fort Campbell in Kentucky/Tennessee

Fort Carson in Colorado

Fort Cavazos (Fort Hood) in Texas???

Fort Eisenhower (Fort Gordon) in Georgia

Fort Irwin in California

Fort Leonard Wood in Missouri

Fort Liberty (Fort Bragg) in North Carolina

Fort Riley in Kansas

Fort Sam Houston in Texas

Fort Sill in Oklahoma

Fort Stewart in Georgia

I will keep adding new duty stations as they are created! Here’s to an amazing PCS!

10 Places You Must Find When You First Get To Your New Military Duty Station

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Military Duty Station

10 Places You Must Find When You First Get To Your New Military Duty Station

The day after we flew into Germany my husband had to go to work. He left about 5am in the morning. I was so tired that day and the world seemed like a dream. Jet lag is no joke and I was going through it with my 18-month-old. I wanted to get out and explore but I was a bit nervous about doing so. Imagine my surprise when my husband got home that night and told me the Commissary was just a short walk from our apartment.

When you first move to a new duty station, everything is going to be new. Even if you have lived on a military base before, you don’t know your new one yet.

Here are 10 places you should find when you first get to your new military duty station.

1. The Commissary- You are going to want to know where you can buy groceries at your new duty station. If you are in the US, you will be able to get American food off-post as well. If you are stationed overseas, you probably won’t and you will want to know where to go to get it. Once you figure that out you should explore local groceries because you can find some fun regional foods there to add to your weekly shopping.

2. The PX- The PX/BX is like a Walmart but on a military post and tax-free. They have furniture, snacks, drinks, clothing, toys and more. Find out where the PX is and if there is more than one. Our first duty station had a small PX and a PXextra in a different location.

3. The Library- Finding the library is a good idea. You can get things set up so you can check out books and if you have kids you can find out about story time or any programs they might offer. Most duty stations have one and then you should also see what the local off-post community has to offer as well.

4. The Chapel- If you are religious you are going to want to find the chapel. They might offer other programs such as MOPS, PWOC, and Awanas. Some chapels also offer a VBS in the summer time. Chapels don’t just have Protestant Christian services but provide worship times for a variety of religious beliefs.

5. ACS- ACS stands for “Army Community Service.” ACS provides a lot for people getting ready for a deployment, during deployment and post-deployment. They can also offer you information on FRGs, education, financial advice, relocation information and volunteer opportunities. The ACS will also host a lot of events. ACS is a great resource for those who are brand new to the military as well as those who have been in a long time. Although this program is for the Army, there should be similar programs with different names for each branch. 

6. MWR- MWR stands for “Morale, Welfare, and Recreation.” They are a quality of life program for Soldiers and their families. They provide a lot of activities for kids, CYS which is the affordable childcare program, lodging, libraries, entertainment and other events. It would be a great idea to follow their page on Facebook if they have one so you can hear about the events that they have going on. The MWR is a great way to find things to do that can help you meet other people at your new duty station.

7. Your Spouse’s Unit- This is a must. Learn where your spouse goes to work. Learn the unit and a general idea of what they do. When you don’t know this information, it can confuse things. There are reasons you will have to go to the unit and it is best to know where that is. Your FRG meetings might be there too.

8. Parks- Parks are important. Most military installations have them. Find them and enjoy what they have to offer. This is especially true when you have kids. Find the local parks and save your sanity.

9. The Hospital or Clinic- You will need to know where to go in case of emergency as well as when you need to go to an appointment. Learn where to go, where to park and when you have to go there you will know what to do.

10. Restaurants- Some military posts have more restaurants that others. There should be some fast food near the PX. There might be a few stand-alone places. The best restaurants on post where when we lived in Germany. We had an amazing German bakery and a restaurant that served German food. These places are great to go and meet your spouse on their lunch break.

When you first pcs somewhere, there is going to be a learning curve. You will need to take the time to find out where things are. Have fun with it and enjoy your new location.

Where is the first place you like to find when you are at a new duty station?

Getting PCS Orders to a Place You Really Don’t Want to Go

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Getting PCS Orders to a Place You Really Don't Want to Go

Getting PCS Orders to a Place You Really Don’t Want to Go

This post contains affiliate links! 

You are waiting on PCS orders, hoping for Hawaii or even Germany. If you can’t go OCONUS, you are pulling for Fort Carson, your best friend lives there and you have heard so many good things. Your spouse comes home with orders for Fort Bliss.

After 5 years overseas you just want to get stationed somewhere on the East Coast so you will be just a few hours from your family. You learn you will be PCSing to JBLM in Washington.

After spending 10 years in landlocked states you are hoping for a PCS to anywhere near an ocean. He gets orders to Fort Riley.

As any military spouse can tell you, there are certain places we want to go and certain places we don’t. Sure, most of us would love to PCS to some of the more popular military installation locations but that isn’t always what goes into where you want to go. Sometimes you just want to be close to home. Sometimes you just want to see another part of the world.

But what do you do when you get those long-awaited orders and they are for a place you don’t want to go?

The orders are for a place too far away from home or too different from what you expected. What if you get orders for a place you have heard nothing but bad things about? How can you get past that? How can you get excited for your new adventure when all you feel about it is dread?

Here are some ideas for when you get pcs orders to a place you don’t want to go:

Talk to people who like the area

I don’t care where you are going, you can always find at least one person that liked that duty station. Trust me. Some people are just able to bloom where the are stationed and others are able to find that one thing to make their current location enjoyable.

See if you can find people to talk to that live or have lived in that location. Most places have Facebook groups. I have duty station guest posts you can read. Ask for real-life advice on social media.

Investigate

Once you find out where you are going, you can start your PCS planning process. If you are not excited about where you are going, spend some time looking into your new home. Find out what is nearby, what people do for fun, what your housing choices are.

The more you can learn about your new duty station the better prepared you can be once you move there and you are setting up your new life. Check out PCSgrades for more information about housing areas and neighborhoods that you might want to live in.

Make plans

Make a plan for once you get to your new home. Where will you go to make friends? What will you do for fun?

If you can figure some of this out before you go, you will be more excited to get there. If you would like to find a job in your new location, get your resume ready and seek out what is available to you. You can also look into working from home if that is something you would like to do.

Visit home before you go

If you are going to be stationed far from home, why not plan a trip back home before you go? See if you can work that in. See the people you want to see and do all the things you know you will miss while you are stationed far away.

Homesickness is real but planning a big trip to see everyone can help. And know that just because you will be stationed far away doesn’t mean you won’t ever be able to visit during the years you are there. You might be able to plan a trip or take advantage of Space-A if you are overseas.

What about you? Did you ever end up in a place you didn’t think you would like? Do you have PCS orders to somewhere you are not sure you will like? Leave a comment 🙂