re: Options for next duty station [Update pg 5]

Out of your list I've only been stationed at 2.im sure that both places have changed drastically since 95-01. My wife fell in love with Germany. It was a cool country and you can tour just about all of Europe for cheap. Korea was a different animal.That was the coldest place I've ever been to (including a tent in Bosnia in the winter time). But I liked Korea better. Their culture and the food are great. It makes you appreciate the men who fought in that terrain and weather.

I did a tour in Kaiserslautern and enjoyed it. The high speed train to Paris is cheap and easy as well, plus Ryanair flights to almost anywhere in Europe for not much. Definitely recommended.

UPDATE:

Was called by my assigner this week and given two options where to go. They want my answer by Tuesday morning. I can either stay at my current duty station in Tacoma, WA or PCS overseas to Germany

This is one of the toughest decisions I've ever had to make. Trying to get perspective from whoever I can. I have made a list of pros/cons last night and am still deliberating. Similarities are that it is the same job at either place (primary care) and that I'd be making approx. the same amount of $.

WA (12 month assignment):
+: know people here now, like where I'm at, lot left to see/do out here, guaranteed single year before I can reapply to residency
-: not a whole lot to do in the immediate area I'm in, dating scene not great

Germany (24 month assignment):
+: highly recommended by others as quality life experience, opportunities to travel Europe on the weekends, 3/4 day weekends once a month, frequent festivals in the town, German girls
-: having to move again and the hassle of doing so, delays residency an extra year (24 month tour), unknown what Sembach is actually like, further from home

Obv the extra year before I could reapply to residency is keeping me from jumping at the opportunity to pick Germany, but I am deliberating if the experience warrants holding off on residency. I will be comfortably paid next year and would be able to visit most of Europe. Yet it also costs me down the road, as every additional year in service is an opportunity cost of $100-250K compared to practice as a civilian. The time until I get out basically doesn't start until I complete residency, so Germany accrues an extra year [happy to explain further if anyone confused]. Appreciate any input or further considerations

Tacoma or Germany? GTFO.

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having to move again and the hassle of doing so,

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You realize you're moving into an almost fully furnished pad, right? Tacoma or Germany? Germany, sir! You may have additional leverage in the EU for future employment, too. Get a local work permit for minimal amounts of part time work, while you're on duty, that should help with your options afterwards. Mine was issued after I'd worked there for almost six months, after I was on my way back to the US.

Take into account that unless you're going to go into pharma sales, you may not have a civilian career to speak of on your timeframe, at an acceptable pay rate.

German women are ... uh, weird (avoiding sex talk, but you can find it if you want to)? Ukranians come in through Poland, get EU citizenship, and then roll out looking for anyone with a job that isn't an alcoholic (I know you're Army, but you're an actual doc).

Your sweet spot will be Eastern European women. They will prioritize you over milque toast EU fools, including Germans, as long as you act like a man. But, do not ever get in a fight with a guy from Eastern Europe over a chick. I've never seen so many MMA stores in my life as I did in nowheresville Poland.

Don’t be in such a hurry to join the rat race. Life is too short and YOLO… when you enter civilian life you will never have the opportunity to live in Europe for 2 years again. Go for the experience you will never forget… do it for us, the ones who are working their arse off just to piss money away and give it back to the government for other countries/illegals. Don’t be in a rush to be one of us.

Germany

Stay in Washington. It’s good to be comfortable. Meet a nice blonde haired American girl - get engaged. Start your career. You can go visit Germany when you’re 60.

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Stay in Washington. It’s good to be comfortable. Meet a nice blonde haired American girl - get engaged. Start your career. You can go visit Germany when you’re 60.

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Honestly I'd rather be in WA than anywhere else in the US right now. There is something to say about the evergreen trees, the bays, waking up on Saturdays and watching CFB all day, the summer nights where there is light until 10PM that is very appealing already.

As I said, it is hard to give up the good thing I have here for an unknown

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Which means I could end up being 7 years or even older than some people in my future residency class if I take the Germany spot.

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Which means you’ll be a lot more mature, which is a good thing in medicine. Won’t be as addicted to your phone and your attending might even respect you