KMC Handbook · Official Resources
Official Resources: Trusted Links for the KMC
A curated list of the primary, official sources for allowances, housing, health, schools and daily life near Ramstein. Bookmark this page.
Our guides deliberately point to official sources for anything that changes, like per diem rates, allowance rules and office hours, so you always get the current number rather than one that has gone stale. This page gathers those primary sources in one place. When a detail matters, go straight to the source.
Money & allowances
- Defense Travel Management Office (DTMO) and the official Per Diem rates (including foreign/OCONUS per diem for the KMC).
- Joint Travel Regulations (JTR) for TLA and travel entitlements.
- Department of State Standardized Regulations (DSSR) for TQSA (DoD civilians).
- Our own TLA/TQSA Calculator and PCS Allowances Explained glossary.
Housing
- Ramstein Air Base official site for community housing and newcomer housing briefings.
- Our Housing Office (HRO) guide explaining the process and where a TLA stay fits in.
Health & medical
- TRICARE and TRICARE Overseas Program (administered by International SOS).
- 86th Medical Group, Ramstein for appointments and referrals.
- Our TRICARE & Clinics guide and Landstuhl (LRMC) guide.
School & family
- DODEA Kaiserslautern Community Schools for enrollment and school information.
- MilitaryChildCare.com for childcare registration and waitlists.
- Military OneSource and MilitaryINSTALLATIONS: Ramstein AB for base programs and contacts.
- Our DODEA Schools guide, Childcare guide and PCS With a Family guide.
Driving & daily life
- KMC VAT Relief program (Kaiserslautern MWR) for tax-free shopping.
- USDA APHIS Pet Travel for bringing a pet to Germany.
- Der Rundfunkbeitrag for the German TV and radio fee.
- Our guides: USAREUR License, VAT Relief, Utilities & Internet, Banking & Mobile, Trash & Recycling and German Etiquette & Quiet Hours.
Planning your move to the KMC? While you work through the official steps, a furnished TLA Office home near Ramstein gives you a comfortable, connected base with everything included and pets welcome. Andrew handles your booking personally from first message to move-in.
Frequently asked questions
Where do I check the current per diem for the KMC?
Use the Defense Travel Management Office (DTMO) per diem rates at travel.dod.mil. Foreign per diem rates can change monthly, so always check the official source rather than a figure copied elsewhere.
Where are the rules for TLA and TQSA?
TLA and travel entitlements are in the Joint Travel Regulations (JTR) at travel.dod.mil. TQSA for DoD civilians is in the Department of State Standardized Regulations (DSSR) at aoprals.state.gov.
How do I register my kids for school and childcare?
School enrollment goes through DODEA (Kaiserslautern Community Schools at dodea.edu), and childcare registration goes through MilitaryChildCare.com. Start both early.
Who can help me find base programs and contacts?
Military OneSource and the MilitaryINSTALLATIONS profile for Ramstein AB list base programs, offices and contacts, and the Ramstein Air Base official site has newcomer and housing information.
These are official, primary sources. Links and office details can change over time, so if a page has moved, search the organization’s main site. This hub is maintained by TLA Office as a convenience for newcomers to the KMC.