What's Momma say? Kids will adapt to your/her attitude.

You can move to Florida anytime. Germany/Europe? Probably never again.

G-5 type $35K+? Boeing type $7K+

Leaving the service? G-5 would help with corporations. Don't make a decision to go to Germany to save $7K on a type rating for SW. Airlines will be hiring and they won't have a preference over G-5 vs. 737 time. As a military guy with 2,000(?) plus hours you should be fine.

Paris is a 6 hr drive. Normandy 8-9hrs. Amsterdam 5 hrs. Rome 12 hrs. Bastogne 3 hrs. Berlin 5 hrs.

Family moved to Germany. Originally for 2 yrs. Everyone loved it. Stayed for 7+. Originally spent most free time traveling because dad thought we'd be leaving in a couple of years. Two weeks in Denmark/Norway with fjord cruise was first trip(flew). Road trips - Two weeks in lowlands. Two weeks in Italy. Two weeks in Spain/Portugal. Countless trips around Germany. Two weeks in England/Scotland. Went back several times as my sister went to school there. Eventually had enough of traveling and started spending long weekends and summer vacation in the Austrian alps flying gliders.

If Momma's interested in going leave the kids with the grandparents and check it out for a week. That's what my parents did. Mom said "good enough" and we moved.

We went to school 'on the economy'. At that age your kids will be very good in German in a year and fluent in two. DOD school kids? Barely spoke any German even after years. You can make a choice to live on the base and occasionally interact with the locals or you can live with the locals and go to work on the base.

It's NOT the U.S. Some stuff is different and some stuff is amazingly great. If you view it as an adventure and an opportunity you'll enjoy the heck out of it. I'm not sure I've ever heard anyone regret moving overseas. If you, or Momma, don't handle change well it will be really frustrating.

Check it out and decide. My kids love traveling in Europe and would go for two days. Wife? Meh.

Good luck.

Flyn2001,
Yes currently flying the -17 in the reserves but getting close to retirement, any questions?
Vito

If you bought a G-5/GLEX rating, plan on 50K+ USD. B737 ratings are a dime a dozen.

GF

@ Sliceback

Great input! Thanks.

@ Vito

Awesome. Was just wondering. Congrats on the light at the end of the mil tunnel. Must feel nice!!

I wouldn't think about the cost of the type, if you don't want to fly corporate on the back side after getting out.

I'd rather give the kiddos the chance to live in Germany and travel Europe for a few years. YMMV.

Take the Germany asignment. Your family gets to experience another culture and your kids will learn different languages (you and your wife might as well). Travel is great, easy, and the distances in Europe are small compared to the US. Quality of life in Germany is excellent.

Overseas you get paid COLA (tax free), OHA (Tax Free), and utilities (tax free and usually more than your utilities). Gasoline is subsidized. You can buy many things on the German economy without paying the 19.5% Value Added Tax. Family finances will improve.

BBJ-let's see, you will fly throughout Europe, many places in Africa (if you are flying AFRICOM's jet), former Soviet, ocean crossings on a regular basis. Good hotels and per diem as well. Fly in civilian clothes much of the time

You will never regret it. I enjoyed my time doing DV flying in Europe.

Agreed USMC! That's why I'm gathering some info from others' experiences now. If I'm fortunate enough to p/u one of these gigs, it won't happen for me until around late '14 anyways. Seems that there are a lot of great missions, experiences and adventures to be had with either. Thanks for the input and fly safe...especially in those OKC winds!! I miss my occasional weekend x/c's to the Bricktown Brewery!!

Thanks. Were you flying C40's? ..or C-21 or G3/5? Did you live on base or off?

Been stationed in both back when they had F-16s at MacDill.

Germany hands down. Honestly dude.

You can always retire in Florida.