Kathryn Said:

Do you have any ideas for a good job?

We Answered:

The veterinary field is a very rewarding one, with interaction with both people and animals. You sound like a very caring person. I would talk to a few local veterinarians in the area. Many have internship programs for vet assistants, as well as vets. That would be a great start, and it would give you an idea if that's the type of career that you would be happy with.

Here is a link from the American Veterinary Medical Association to get you started:
http://www.avma.org/jobs/default.asp

Antonio Said:

Officer at Hanscom AFB. Moving in September 2010 to either Eielson, Lakenheath or Ramstein.?

We Answered:

Okay, I'm not in the Air Force, but I do have some (hopefully) constructive comments.

First of all, it is very feasible to get your passports and get ready to move in that period of time. Passports can be expedited--we got ours in about 10 days, and that was during the crazy rush a few years ago. People who have had to get them recently tell me it takes 2-3 weeks. So the passports are do-able. So is moving. I grew up moving around the world for my dad's work, and several times he got notice that we'd be going overseas and we had to get ready in a very short period of time. Obviously, I didn't do the bulk of the packing, but if you make up your minds quickly, and start getting things boxed up, you can definitely do it.

As for your choices of AFBs. I have a good friend who served at both when he was in the service. He told me that personally, he liked Ramstein better (they were there twice, the first time for three years, and then the second time for nearly 5), as the work was more stimulating (he didn't get out until 2006, so he was there when the present wars started). They liked it a lot because it's pretty centrally located, and they were able to travel all over Europe in their car without much hassle. He said they'd take a week-long vacation and go to someplace like Italy, because the driving distances are so small. However, his wife didn't like it as much as he did, because she wanted to work off base, and she didn't speak German. They made a lot of German friends, because so many of them speak English, but his wife liked England better. However, there is one major thing which your wife might like, and which you may have not considered--Ramstein has one of the largest military hospitals, and most of the serious casualties from the Middle East are evacuated there either for treatment or stabilization before being sent home to the US. That means it may be easier than you think for your wife to find a job there.

Lakenheath was fun, he said, but he didn't enjoy his work as much, and it was kind of weird being at an RAF base, because it's not quite like an American base. Additionally, what with it being on the edge of Europe, it wasn't as easy to take trips around--they pretty much stuck to seeing England, Scotland, Ireland and then just crossing to France while they were there. His wife liked it a lot more, though, because there was no language barrier, and she was able to easily get a job which she enjoyed.

Ramstein was his last posting before he retired. He spent 15 or 16 of his years in the AF living overseas, and he said he wouldn't trade that for the world--there's no way they could have traveled as much and met so many people had he not accepted overseas postings. He also said you do, indeed, climb faster and have more opportunity for advancement if you go overseas. A lot of people try to stay in the US to be close to family, and he said he thinks that's a mistake if you want better opportunities.

He never mentioned weather, but I know where both bases are--it's not going to be like moving to the Sahara, so you should be fine. Obviously, there's more rain in England, but more snow in Germany, but either way you get some precipitation.

Being a person who has traveled a bit and seen a bit of the world, I'd say go for it. I've seen quite a few places here at home (US), too, but nothing, and I do mean nothing, compares to getting to see a different country, meet the people, learn the history, and just generally get to know a different way of life.

Best of luck in whatever you decide!