There is plenty to do during your tour in Germany! From on-installation employment or education to volunteer work and travel, your time in Germany has a lot to offer.

• Federal Positions (NAF and GS): Non-Appropriated Fund (NAF) positions are offered with MWR and FSS and other on-installation organizations. Hours range from full-time to flexible part-time with varying employment benefits. General Schedule (GS) positions are offered through government organizations on installations and can be part or full-time. Search for NAF and GS positions at usajobs.gov.

• DoDEA-Europe: On-installation schools offer full and part-time employment as support staff, substitute teachers and administrative employees Find certified teaching positions at: dodea.edu/offices/HR. Find local support positions at usajobs.gov.

• Army and Air Force Exchange Service (AAFES): For positions at AAFES facilities like the Exchange and food courts, visit aafes.com/Applymyexchange.

• Defense Commissary Agency (DECA): Jobs at usajobs.gov.

• Defense Contractors: Job opportunities in technology, management, accounting and administration are available with contracting firms. Your installation’s contracting office and M&FRC or ACS office may have information about vacancies.

Note: Check websites and offices for new openings frequently—a job can be posted one day and stay posted for as little as three business days.

If you own a home-based business, you should:

• Contact your installation’s Legal Office before establishing a business. The Legal Office cannot advise you on private business activities, but they may provide guidance.

• The general rule is that operating a business in Germany requires that you follow German law. This includes private business on U.S. military installations and businesses providing services only to U.S. citizens and/or DoD ID card holders.

• Check with your local German trade office, “Gewerbeamt,” to see if you need a German business license.

• Find a German tax adviser (Steuerberater). Even if you don’t need a German business license you will need a tax number.

• Do not use military privileges such as APO, BX, Commissary or USAREUR-plated car to support your business.

• If you live on-installation, you will need permission from the installation commander.

The SOFA in Germany permits military spouses to work on the local economy. You will be subject to German laws and taxes.

Thinking about pursuing a college degree? Visit your Education Center to speak with a professional about the college and university options available on your installation.

• Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University 800-359-3728 | worldwide.erau.edu/administration/military-veterans/europe

  Offers certifications, undergraduate and graduate degrees. Face-to-face, online, blended learning, and unit courses.

• University of Maryland Global Campus 0631-56000-90000 | europe.umgc.edu

  Undergraduate, graduate and doctoral programs. Offers face-to-face and online courses.

• Other schools with online coursework:  www.military.com/education or www.militaryonesource.mil

  Many U.S.-based colleges and universities offer online courses and discounts for military-affiliated students.

We understand that college can be expensive; so, here are some scholarships available to military families.

• The National Military Family Association (NMFA): Applications are open year-round, and the scholarship covers fees related to degrees from GEDs to Ph.D.s, professional licensing and certification, supervised clinical hours, business expenses and more. www.militaryfamily.org/programs/spouses-scholarships.

• My Career Advancement Account (MyCAA): Open to spouses of active-duty service members between the ranks of E-1 to E-6, W-1 to W-2 and O-1 to O-3 pursuing or maintaining a license or certification or an associate degree. https://mycaa.militaryone source.mil/mycaa.

• Scholarships for Military Children: Open to high-school students with a GPA of 3.0 or higher or college students with a GPA of 2.5 or higher who complete the required forms and a short essay. https://fisherhouse.org/programs/scholarship-programs/scholarships-for-military-children.

• ThanksUSA: Scholarships for college, technical and vocation schooling are open to spouses and children of service members who demonstrate financial need. thanksusa.org.

• Pat Tillman Foundation: Open to service members, veterans and military spouses pursuing a four-year undergraduate or graduate degree. Applicants must provide a resume and a character recommendation as well as complete a short biography and two essay questions. Scholarships are worth, on average, around $10,000. https://pattillmanfoundation.org/apply.

Volunteering is a wonderful way to get involved in your community. It is also a great way to keep your resume up-to-date and your skills sharp when you are not working a regular job. Start by making connections.

• Visit your installation’s M&FRC/ACS, Post Office, the American Red Cross and the USO.

• Search the Volunteer Management Information System on the Army Family Web portal for volunteer positions. armyfamilywebportal.com.

• Do you enjoy writing? Submit travel or lifestyle stories to contentteam@stripes.com for publication on the StripeEurope.com website.

•  Find local spouses clubs, spouse and family readiness groups (SFRGs), interest groups or sports organizations to volunteer with.

Welcome to Germany