ACCOMPANIED ORDERS AND COMMAND SPONSORSHIP
Active Component military personnel with dependents may elect to receive 36-month accompanied orders. Dependents must be command sponsored through a rigorous overseas medical screening that should begin within ten days of receipt of orders. Reserve Component personnel and civil servant orders are different and explained below.
MEDICAL SCREENING
Marines and Sailors must begin their overseas medical screening within 10 days of receipt of orders and be completed within 30 days for the servicemembers and 60 days for family members per BUMED Instruction 1300 2.B. The overseas medical screening must be completed with a medical provider in-person. The purpose is to screen for potential travel concerns, which may include medical, educational, and/or dental needs, to ensure that the gaining location can meet their needs. Check with the Exceptional Family Member Program (EFMP) if it applies or contact the MARFOREUR/AF Force Surgeon HSS_MFE@usmc.mil.
MEDICAL SCREENING
NAVPERS 1300_16
NAVMED_1300_1
NAVMED 1300_2
RESERVE COMPONENT WITH FAMILY MEMBERS
Reserve Component orders are typically written as unaccompanied orders. However, the DoD Financial Management Regulations allows for overseas housing allowance for dependents under some conditions. Reserve Component members are typically authorized only one housing allowance, so discuss your situation with the Reserve Liaison Officer (rlo@usmc.mil) early to understand your entitlements and make informed decisions. Reserve Component members must read and sign the Statement of Understanding. Click here for more details.
MFEA ADOS Orders SOU
CIVIL SERVANTS WITH FAMILY MEMBERS
Most information, tools, and timelines apply for Civilian Marines, with some exceptions. On-base housing is NOT available to DoD Civilians. On-base medical is not available for DoD Civilians, to include VA disabled personnel. Research private health insurance options and any overseas VA and Tricare For Life insurance benefits early. Civilians with school-age children have space-available access to DoDEA schools. Locality pay, living quarters allowance, and relocations expenses are position specific. Ensure you discuss and understand your entitlements with the Human Resources Office. Travel pay reimbursement can take weeks or months, so ensure you are financially prepared.
NO-FEE PASSPORTS
Military personnel are authorized to travel to/from Germany with orders and DoDID and are not generally issued an official passport (billet specific). However, government civilian employees (GS, GG) require official passports, and command sponsored dependents on accompanied orders of both military personnel and civilian employees need No-Fee Passports. These documents, to include a copy of the sponsor’s PCS orders with all dependents listed, are now required for leisure travel outside Germany, per current European Union policy. Reserve Component dependents intending to stay in Germany beyond 90 days should request a Status of Forces Agreement stamp for dependent passports. Coordinate with your sponsoring section and via the MARFOREUR/AF Headquarters Company S-1. Contractor civilian personnel working at the command must follow their company’s policies for passport compliance. Contact your local passport office or review Online Passport Applications. Check the Foreign Clearance Guide (FCG) if your future duty station is outside Germany.
SPONSORSHIP
Two things people often remember about their units is how they were received and how they were sent off. We intend to do both well! All personnel with orders to MARFOEUR/AF Headquarters will be assigned a sponsor. We will try to match service, grade, marital status, family make-up, and future duty section. If you have not already been assigned a sponsor, please contact our Sponsorship Coordinator to request one. Here is an example of a sponsorship assignment letter.
HOUSING
Housing in Stuttgart is one of the most complex and often frustrating aspects of a PCS to Stuttgart. Housing is governed by U.S. Army, Europe, in Wiesbaden, Germany. The local housing office is conveniently located on Panzer Kaserne next to the MARFOREUR/AF headquarters. All personnel –military and civilian, accompanied and unaccompanied—must apply for housing and check into the USAG Stuttgart Housing Office. You can contact the Army Stuttgart Housing Office at +49-711-729-1111 to inquire about availability and waiting lists.
Housing PTAD is not authorized for OCONUS assignments.
Download a Housing Application: Housing Application DD1746
Email Housing Application: Army Stuttgart Housing Office (Send a copy to your sponsor.)
TEMPORARY LODGING OPTIONS
Personnel can reserve rooms for up to 60 days at the USAG Stuttgart hotels and up to 30 days at a time at a few local hotels. Families with more than two kids may be eligible for reimbursement of two rooms, depending on sex and ages of children. Personnel may make their own reservations, or their sponsor may do this for them. A credit card is required for reservations. Temporary lodging entitlements vary if you are a military member or civil servant.
Temporary lodging entitlements cannot be paid until you check into your unit (RPAC) and cannot be paid if you are in a leave or PTAD status.
Link to Panzer Hotel
Link to Kelley Hotel
Link to Sindlefingen Marriott
Link to Hotel Reussenstein
DOWNLOAD THE MY ARMY POST APP
App name: My Army Post App (MAPA) Available on the AppStore.
PURGE
Homes in Europe are smaller than U.S. homes. Start getting rid of what you don’t need or have a plan for what you will store. You rate three shipments: household goods, non-temporary storage (NTS), and unaccompanied baggage (>2000 lbs). Total weight is based on your grade and with or without dependents. All three shipments must not exceed your total weight allowance. Washers and dryers are provided by housing; do not bring them. Consider storing extra-large furniture, lawn equipment, large patio sets. If you don’t think you will need it, store, sell, or donate it.