Category Archives: Legal Issues
Navigating passports, birth certificates for children born abroad
GRAFENWOEHR, Germany — New babies come with paperwork, and maybe more so when the parents are stationed overseas with the military. According to the U.S. Army Garrison Bavaria Passport Office, overseas military bases are not considered U.S. soil, and thus children born to military personnel stationed overseas are…
Improving financial stability strengthens Army readiness
GRAFENWOEHR, Germany — Financial instability and debt resulting in marital problems, loss of security clearance or even suicide degrade mission readiness. But there are fixes. “Soldiers’ top priority is to maintain their deployability,” said Command Sgt. Maj Mike Sutterfield, U.S. Army Garrison Bavaria’s command sergeant major. …
Tax centers available at USAG Bavaria
7th Army Training Command Tax Center release GRAFENWOEHR, Germany — It is coming up on everyone’s favorite time of year – tax season! As always, the 7th Army Training Command Tax Centers will be providing free federal and state tax return preparation and electronic filing services for all DoD…
Exchange partners with H&R Block offering tax preparation service
AAFES news release GRAFENWOEHR, Germany — According to a Government Accountability Office study, more than 60 percent of taxpayers are likely to file their taxes incorrectly this year. To help service members and their families avoid what could be a costly tax mistake, the Army & Air…
How to ship alcohol in your government personal property move
GRAFENWOEHR, Germany — Over the course of two or three years in Europe, many Soldiers and military families find that building a modest alcohol collection — from regions famous for wine, for example — becomes a part of their experience abroad. But what happens when it’s time…
Claims examiner Edward Pontoon retires after 50 years of service
By 1st Lt. Zechariah Broring, Rose Barracks Law Center GRAFENWOEHR, Germany — The 7th Army Training Command legal community celebrated Edward Pontoon’s 50 years of service to the military March 30. Pontoon, after working as a claims examiner in Germany, officially retires March 31. His 50 years…
Cuban cigar ban relaxed for US citizens overseas
By Robert Szostek, U.S. European Command Customs Public Affairs WIESBADEN, Germany – Persons subject to U.S. jurisdiction may now buy Cuban-origin merchandise, including alcohol and tobacco products, while in a third country for personal consumption. These products may be consumed while in a third country or imported…
6 ways to avoid problems with your German phone contract
GRAFENWOEHR, Germany — In her twenty years with U.S. Army legal teams, German attorney Mechthild Benkert says the most frequent issue troubling her DoD clients has not changed. It’s German phone contracts, she says without hesitation. “I think people automatically assume things are the same in Germany as in…
You’re the subject of a FLIPL…Now what?
By Jestyne Martin, Legal Intern at Seventh Army JMTC Office of the Staff Judge Advocate A FLIPL is a Financial Liability Investigation of Property Loss, as outlined in Army Regulation 735–5 on Property Accountability Policies. If government property is lost, damaged or destroyed (LDD), a FLIPL will…
Carry a passport when traveling outside the country
U.S. Army Europe Public Affairs news release U.S. Army Europe Office of the Provost Marshal officials want to remind members of the American forces community in Europe to carry their passports when traveling to countries to which they are not assigned. A common misconception is that European…