In regards to some comments and questions I have received & just general information . . . .
My enlistment was for 3 years and my assignment to Germany was to be 18 months. After my training time and serving in Germany, I'd have roughly 6 months left on my enlistment. I had NO intention of reenlisting. Soon after arriving in Germany DA (Department of the Army) changed unaccompaniment overseas tours from 18 months to 2 years. I was livid! I went to my NCOIC to complain and he simply pointed to my uniform, the tag above my left pocket that read, "U.S. Army" and he said, "You know what that stand for? Uncle Sam Ai'nt Released Me Yet." So basically, for the time they had me, the Army could do whatever it wanted with me, including keeping me in Germany for 6 months longer than my original orders stated. Furthering my disappointment, I also learned that after my 2 year stint in Germany, having only 6 months left on my enlistment, I would not PCS back to the states. In order to get back to the states I needed a minimum of 12 months time in service left. My NCOIC referred me to a reenlistment sergeant. Reluctantly, I went to the reenlistment office, which was the first, last and ONLY time I stepped foot in such a place.
I was told if I took a 6 month extension to my original enlistment, I would be able to PCS back to the states after my 2 years in Germany. I was torn. I did not want to stay overseas for 2 1/2 years and yet, I did not want to stay in the Army for 1/2 year longer. In the end I decided I'd take the 6 month extension not only to get out of Germany sooner but also because I did not want my entire Army career to be at one duty station. As much as I longed for my civilian life to return to me, I did want to experience the Army to the fullest extent, within the time frame of one enlistment term, that is. I knew every duty station was different, not from my own experiences but from all the hundreds of soldiers I met and all of their stories they brought with them. I wanted to walk away with the confidence I had given the Army the best of me to my fullest extent. I wanted both an overseas and stateside assignment and so, even though with reluctance, I signed up for a 6 month extension to my enlistment. My total time served was 3 1/2 years, 2 of them in Germany. I don't regret that at all.
There are so many more people I knew and met while I was in Germany. I have specifically chosen only a few to mention because these are the ones that unknowingly changed me in some way. I met all sorts of characters, good and bad alike. I had far more experiences in the Army than I could possibly blog about. Some of those details I am omitting for personal reasons. Though I want to tell my story, like anyone, I do have personal things that are best left personal. Some stories I am not telling because they are one of those "you had to be there" type things. Like, hysterical to me --not so much to my readers. Other experiences are just too painful to blog about or hurtful in some way to someone I know. That's all I can say about that. Aside from that, these stories are accurate to the best of my knowledge. When I don't remember a certain detail, I state that right out.
The barracks building and rooms were never locked. In fact, I don't even know if the doors had locks on them. The building had full access 24/7. Our rooms were never locked and all of our things were always --just out there. We could lock our wall lockers, which I did only when I had cash to stash. Other than that, I grew tired of locking/unlocking it all of the time so I kept it unlocked. On occasion you'd hear of something coming up missing but for the most part, everyone respected each other's property. Seems odd to me now but back then we really had no issues not having locked rooms.
I have chosen not to blog about any of my European travels first for a time saving effort (I'm already starting to grow weary of writing these stories but I am determined to finish the story I started) but also because they really aren't anything spectacular or anything other than a typical tourist in a foreign country. I LOVED every place I ever went to --I might highlight my favorites in a blog someday --or post a few pictures.
There is only one person I knew in Germany that I am still in touch with. It's pretty hard keeping up with so many people that move every few years. I would love to know where some of these people are now --like is Tom still in prison? Did Medic S and her soldier husband stay together? Did Rob stay in the Army or move on to other branches of service? You know, had we had Facebook, email and the like back then, chances are I'd still be in touch with a few of these people but such as it were, I no longer am.
Most of these stories are told in chronological order --as best I can remember. I'm trying to tell the story in that manner however; sometimes my memory is vague about the timing of an incident so I just guess at it. Like the story about the "motor pool soldier" that was waaay off the timeline -that actually happened right before I left Germany.
My time in service pales in comparison to those that fought in wars, are serving in the middle east today and most certainly, to those that bravely gave their lives for our country. For patriotic holidays, sometimes at church our congregation will have former military members come forward and I am both awed and humbled to stand next to a WW II vet, Vietnam vet --or any of those brave soldiers that fought the fight. I am truly the least of these. When all is said and done with my Army time stories, you will clearly see that my country and the US Army gave far more to me than I could ever have given.
I'd love to go back to Ansbach someday though I hear Hindenburg is now closed (or has been turned over to the Germans) and the Ansbach I knew back in the 80's is but a ghost town in comparison. I think that would make me terribly sad to see but I'm a sentimental fool and I'd love to go back some day.
My Army career was very successful, especially the 2 years I was overseas. I was able to attend some pretty significant training and courses, I got military awards and made rank rather quickly. That was all due in large part to some great NCO's (non commissioned officer) I had appointed over me. Without their direction and guiding my career, I would have been just another soldier doing time --like a prison sentence. Its true, the Army does take care of its own.
I do have stories from basic training and AIT that are probably far more interesting than anything I've posted thus far but I started with Germany and that's where I'll stay. As I have done on occasion, I might insert a Flashback story, especially if its a seed to something that happened in Germany.
There were two things I had in mind to do when I got to Europe; see the Eiffle Tower and drive on the German Autobahn. Those things will pop up in a story soon.
My enlistment was for 3 years and my assignment to Germany was to be 18 months. After my training time and serving in Germany, I'd have roughly 6 months left on my enlistment. I had NO intention of reenlisting. Soon after arriving in Germany DA (Department of the Army) changed unaccompaniment overseas tours from 18 months to 2 years. I was livid! I went to my NCOIC to complain and he simply pointed to my uniform, the tag above my left pocket that read, "U.S. Army" and he said, "You know what that stand for? Uncle Sam Ai'nt Released Me Yet." So basically, for the time they had me, the Army could do whatever it wanted with me, including keeping me in Germany for 6 months longer than my original orders stated. Furthering my disappointment, I also learned that after my 2 year stint in Germany, having only 6 months left on my enlistment, I would not PCS back to the states. In order to get back to the states I needed a minimum of 12 months time in service left. My NCOIC referred me to a reenlistment sergeant. Reluctantly, I went to the reenlistment office, which was the first, last and ONLY time I stepped foot in such a place.
I was told if I took a 6 month extension to my original enlistment, I would be able to PCS back to the states after my 2 years in Germany. I was torn. I did not want to stay overseas for 2 1/2 years and yet, I did not want to stay in the Army for 1/2 year longer. In the end I decided I'd take the 6 month extension not only to get out of Germany sooner but also because I did not want my entire Army career to be at one duty station. As much as I longed for my civilian life to return to me, I did want to experience the Army to the fullest extent, within the time frame of one enlistment term, that is. I knew every duty station was different, not from my own experiences but from all the hundreds of soldiers I met and all of their stories they brought with them. I wanted to walk away with the confidence I had given the Army the best of me to my fullest extent. I wanted both an overseas and stateside assignment and so, even though with reluctance, I signed up for a 6 month extension to my enlistment. My total time served was 3 1/2 years, 2 of them in Germany. I don't regret that at all.
There are so many more people I knew and met while I was in Germany. I have specifically chosen only a few to mention because these are the ones that unknowingly changed me in some way. I met all sorts of characters, good and bad alike. I had far more experiences in the Army than I could possibly blog about. Some of those details I am omitting for personal reasons. Though I want to tell my story, like anyone, I do have personal things that are best left personal. Some stories I am not telling because they are one of those "you had to be there" type things. Like, hysterical to me --not so much to my readers. Other experiences are just too painful to blog about or hurtful in some way to someone I know. That's all I can say about that. Aside from that, these stories are accurate to the best of my knowledge. When I don't remember a certain detail, I state that right out.
The barracks building and rooms were never locked. In fact, I don't even know if the doors had locks on them. The building had full access 24/7. Our rooms were never locked and all of our things were always --just out there. We could lock our wall lockers, which I did only when I had cash to stash. Other than that, I grew tired of locking/unlocking it all of the time so I kept it unlocked. On occasion you'd hear of something coming up missing but for the most part, everyone respected each other's property. Seems odd to me now but back then we really had no issues not having locked rooms.
I have chosen not to blog about any of my European travels first for a time saving effort (I'm already starting to grow weary of writing these stories but I am determined to finish the story I started) but also because they really aren't anything spectacular or anything other than a typical tourist in a foreign country. I LOVED every place I ever went to --I might highlight my favorites in a blog someday --or post a few pictures.
There is only one person I knew in Germany that I am still in touch with. It's pretty hard keeping up with so many people that move every few years. I would love to know where some of these people are now --like is Tom still in prison? Did Medic S and her soldier husband stay together? Did Rob stay in the Army or move on to other branches of service? You know, had we had Facebook, email and the like back then, chances are I'd still be in touch with a few of these people but such as it were, I no longer am.
Most of these stories are told in chronological order --as best I can remember. I'm trying to tell the story in that manner however; sometimes my memory is vague about the timing of an incident so I just guess at it. Like the story about the "motor pool soldier" that was waaay off the timeline -that actually happened right before I left Germany.
My time in service pales in comparison to those that fought in wars, are serving in the middle east today and most certainly, to those that bravely gave their lives for our country. For patriotic holidays, sometimes at church our congregation will have former military members come forward and I am both awed and humbled to stand next to a WW II vet, Vietnam vet --or any of those brave soldiers that fought the fight. I am truly the least of these. When all is said and done with my Army time stories, you will clearly see that my country and the US Army gave far more to me than I could ever have given.
I'd love to go back to Ansbach someday though I hear Hindenburg is now closed (or has been turned over to the Germans) and the Ansbach I knew back in the 80's is but a ghost town in comparison. I think that would make me terribly sad to see but I'm a sentimental fool and I'd love to go back some day.
My Army career was very successful, especially the 2 years I was overseas. I was able to attend some pretty significant training and courses, I got military awards and made rank rather quickly. That was all due in large part to some great NCO's (non commissioned officer) I had appointed over me. Without their direction and guiding my career, I would have been just another soldier doing time --like a prison sentence. Its true, the Army does take care of its own.
I do have stories from basic training and AIT that are probably far more interesting than anything I've posted thus far but I started with Germany and that's where I'll stay. As I have done on occasion, I might insert a Flashback story, especially if its a seed to something that happened in Germany.
There were two things I had in mind to do when I got to Europe; see the Eiffle Tower and drive on the German Autobahn. Those things will pop up in a story soon.
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