USAG Bavaria, Hohenfels

The USAG Bavaria installation in Hohenfels consists of one installation. It is about an hour south of Grafenwoehr and Vilseck and about two and a half hours north of Garmisch. USAG Bavaria - Hohenfels includes the Hohenfels Training Area, which is 163 km² large. It provides premier installation management support and services that enhance the readiness of joint and multinational forces, ensures the highest level of quality of life in a secure and sustainable environment, and enables soldiers to soldiers, leaders to lead, and families to grow. It supports two primary mission partners: The Joint Multinational Readiness Center and the 1st Battalion, 4th Infantry Regiment.

General Information

All personnel assigned to Germany must have a valid stateside driver's license to be eligible for a USAREUR driver's license and must obtain a USAREUR driver's license before operating a vehicle in Germany. Information on obtaining or renewing a USAREUR driver's license, as well as current driver-training requirements, is available through the USAG Bavaria Driver's License page. If you plan to drive your personal vehicle outside Germany, you may also need an International Driver's Permit in addition to your USAREUR driver's license.

Germany uses 230 volts and 50 Hz, compared with 120 volts and 60 Hz in the United States. U.S. electrical appliances normally operate on 120 volts and may be damaged if connected directly to a 230-volt outlet. Do not use a simple plug adapter to connect a 120-volt appliance to a 230-volt outlet. Use a 120-volt outlet, where available, or an appropriate 230V/120V transformer/converter. Some newer appliances are dual-voltage and can operate on either voltage; always check the appliance label before use.

The currency used in Germany is the Euro (€). It is recommended that incoming personnel have some Euros available upon arrival for incidental expenses, telephone calls, transportation, and other immediate needs.

Active-Duty personnel do not generally need a passport to enter Germany when traveling under their military orders and status. However, a valid passport is required for international travel to many other countries. U.S. citizens may obtain a passport while in Germany but obtaining one before leaving the United States may be easier. Passport and SOFA services are available through the USAG Bavaria Passport & SOFA Office.

The following records should be hand-carried rather than packed with household goods: orders; school records; DA Form 5888/EFMP documentation, when applicable; passports; driver's licenses; important bills and account information; addresses; birth certificates; marriage licenses; secondary access information for bank accounts; and documents needed to file income taxes. Family members seeking employment should bring educational records, certificates, licenses, and other relevant employment documentation.

Military OneSource Installation

Exceptional Family Member Program: Required EFMP screening and applicable family-member travel screening must be completed before PCS travel to Germany. Families should ensure that all required documentation and processes are completed before departure. Additional assistance is available through the USAG Bavaria EFMP program.

If your dependents are not command sponsored, you cannot be assigned Government-controlled quarters until they are command sponsored. Contact your gaining unit and sponsor for assistance with command sponsorship requirements.

When calling Germany from the United States, dial 011-49, followed by the German area code without the initial 0 and the local number. From another European country, dial 0049, followed by the German area code without the initial 0.

Army Community Service Hohenfels:

• Building 10A
• Commercial: 09472-708-4860
• DSN: 522-4860

ACS can assist with relocation information, community resources, employment and family support programs, financial readiness, newcomer assistance, and other services.

Pets

Before bringing a pet to Germany, personnel should review current U.S. Army, German and veterinary requirements. Pet owners are responsible for meeting all applicable import, vaccination, identification and registration requirements.

Certain dog breeds are restricted under German law and USAG Bavaria policy. Class I dogs, including Pit Bull Terrier, American Staffordshire Terrier, Tosa Inu, Bandog and applicable mixed breeds, are prohibited from entering and residing in Government-controlled housing in Germany. Class II breeds are subject to additional requirements, including a temperament assessment and local registration. Personnel should verify current requirements with the USAG Bavaria Veterinary Treatment Facility before making travel arrangements for a restricted breed.

For Army Family Housing, no more than two dogs or cats, or a combination of the two, are authorized per dwelling unit. Other domestic pets may be permitted subject to applicable regulations. Exotic pets are prohibited unless specifically authorized. Dogs and cats must be registered with the installation Veterinary Treatment Facility within the required timeframe after arrival or acquisition, and owners must maintain current vaccination records.

Pet owners should also be aware that pet policies may vary between Government-controlled housing and private/off-post housing. Always verify current requirements before bringing a pet to Germany.

Child Safety

Children under 12 years of age or shorter than 150 cm (4 feet 11 inches) must use an appropriate child restraint system. Child restraint systems must be approved under ECE-R 44/03, ECE-R 44/04, ECE-R 129, or applicable U.S. Department of Transportation standards, and must be installed according to the manufacturer's instructions.

Parents should verify that any child restraint brought from the United States meets the applicable requirements before arrival.

Relocating to USAG Bavaria

For additional information about relocating to USAG Bavaria, visit the USAG Bavaria Army Community Service webpage and the official USAG Bavaria Newcomers page. The Newcomers page provides current information on sponsorship, EFMP, travel documents, pets, housing, schools, transportation, driver's licenses, installation access, medical services and in-processing.

Defense Service Network Dialing Instructions

The DSN is the provider of long-distance communications service for the Department of War. Every installation has a special DSN number, and the numbers vary by world-wide location. To place a call using DSN, the caller must be using a military phone on an installation. Cell phones cannot dial DSN numbers. When dialing a DSN number from a United States installation to another United States installation, it is unnecessary to dial the DSN 314 area code. When dialing a DSN number to/from overseas locations, the DSN area code must be included.

For more information, visit https://home.army.mil/bavaria/.

If you have questions about USAG Bavaria Hohenfels Community or relocating to the Hohenfels community, visit the USAG Bavaria ACS website.