Moving Overseas

1. MovingOverseas

2. 2 Welcome �Following the light of the sun, we left the Old World.�-- Christopher Columbus

3. 3 Develop a Plan of Action Keep yourself on track by using the Moving Overseas Checklist

4. 4 Gather Information Meet with RAP staff Review SITES Research your new country

5. 5 As Soon as Orders are Received Obtain overseas screening Apply for passports Organize records Notify schools Arrange to vote

6. 6 Financial Planning for OCONUS Move

7. 7 Dislocation Allowance Designed to partially reimburse a service member for expenses incurred when relocating Based on pay grade and dependency status Does not require repayment

8. 8 MALT Monetary Allowance in Lieu of Transportation Receive MALT when diving your own vehicle to a new duty station Paid to those going overseas if driving from old duty station to point of embarkation or from point of debarkation to new duty station

9. 9 Per Diem Flat rate for each day of travel May be drawn up to 10 days in advance Dependents receive a percentage of service member�s amount Rates vary depending on overseas destination

10. 10 Temporary Lodging Expense (TLE) Up to $180 per day to offset cost of food and lodging Available for a maximum of 5 days before departing overseas May be paid in advance but keep receipts

11. 11 Advance Pay To help service member meet extraordinary relocation expenses Advance pay equal to 3 months base pay minus taxes and deduction may be authorized Must be paid back May be hazardous to your financial health!

12. 12 Overseas Allowances Available to service members and their families stationed OCONUS

13. 13 Overseas Housing Allowance Replaces BAH overseas Is not available at all locations You must apply

14. 14 Move-in Housing Allowance Covers occupancy related expenses Must be eligible for OHA Paid in a lump sum Designed to cover expenses for security, rent-related taxes or fees and expenses such as major appliances

15. 15 Temporary Lodging Allowance (TLA) Offsets costs of temporary lodging and meals when arriving or departing OCONUS Amount depends on per-diem rate, family size and other variables May be advanced but keep receipts

16. 16 Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) Designed to help service members maintain same standard of living when living in high-cost areas Depends on location, cost of living, exchanger rates, pay grade, and number of family members Varies depending on exchange rates

17. 17 Budgeting for Overseas Banking Credit reports Address while in transit Bill paying

18. 18 Beware of Hidden Costs Will you have any additional income? Foreign currency is not play money! Exchange rates can go up and down High utility costs Phone calls home Transportation Major purchases

19. 19 Household Shipment

20. 20 Personal Property Visit TMO TMO makes arrangements for your household goods Bring choice of moving dates, copies of orders, and estimated date of arrival at new duty station

21. 21 What can I Take with Me? Weight allowances for household goods are based on pay grade and marital status Exceed the weight and you pay out of pocket Ask yourself: Can I live without it? Do I really need more than one? Will it work in my new home (voltage)? Will it fit?

22. 22 Express Shipment Since you may arrive before your household goods, assemble an express shipment Designed to sustain families through the first 60 days May include: personal clothing, linens, kitchen basics, toys, baby essentials, professional books and materials

23. 23 Privately Owned Vehicle (POV) One POV may be shipped overseas Some locations prohibit POV Consider: Who own vehicle? Insurance? Access to parts and repairs? Gas type/cost?

24. 24 Travel

25. 25 Travel Arrangements Check with PTO or Commercial Travel on base Among the items you will need are: DD forms 1056 and 884 Copies of PCS orders Copy of entry approval if required by host country One of three approved options will be selected to transport you to your new home

26. 26 Pet Travel Each country has specific entrance requirements. Consider: Quarantine Method and cost of travel Only two pets per family may be taken Make request for pet travel when making your own travel request

27. 27 �Culture is the widening of the mind and of the spirit.�-- Jawaharlal Nehru

28. 28 Culture Culture is an integrated system of learned behavior patterns that is characteristic of the members of any given society and is passed from generation to generation. Refers to the total way of life. Includes everything that a group of people thinks, says, does, and makes. A system of attitudes and feelings.

29. 29 Cultural Adaptation Cultural Shock

30. 30 Culture Shock What happens when familiar cues that help an individual function in society are suddenly withdrawn and replaced by new ones that are strange or incomprehensible?� Culture shock!

31. 31 Common Responses to Culture Shock

32. 32 Survival Tips Curiosity Sense of humor Open mindedness Realistic expectations Tolerance Support Resources Community ties

33. 33 Cultural Acclimation Understand the internal culture of another society - their values and ways of thinking. Able to take care of yourself and are comfortable in your foreign surroundings. Appreciate host country�s culture while maintaining your own cultural heritage.

34. 34 Overseas Moves with Children Children are highly adaptable to change Children reflect their parent�s attitudes

35. 35 Helping Children Prepare Research your new home Learn the language Have theme party/meals/days Hunt for items made in your host country Apply for a youth sponsor Help them express their feelings

36. 36 Sponsorship Use your sponsor to: Obtain information Assist with temporary lodging Provide information on cost of living Advise about cultural issues

37. 37 Anti-Terrorism Training Everyone ages 14 and older are required to received anti-terrorism training before moving overseas.

38. 38 Enjoy the Challenge �Living in a foreign culture is like playing a game you�ve never played before and for which the rules haven�t been explained very well. The challenge is to enjoy the game without missing too many plays, learning the rules and developing skills as you go along.�  -- Robert Kohls