Where the fuck is OTB?

[ExtremeDrinker]

Even Yahoo gets it.

It's true!

[OnTheBounce]

Hey Guys!

I'm indeed in Germany, but while they do have the internet here, I don't have my computer here and so haven't bothered to get net access -- which is far more of a pain in the arse than in the US of A, not to mention quite a bit more expensive. Once I get a machine I'll probably be up on the net, but my job keeps me kinda busy, not to mention that when I'm not working I'm busy rediscovering Europe, which has changed quite a bit since '84...

Don't worry about me, though, I'm having a blast over here. Being the "Old Man" in my company is fun, plus my German comes in handy, too.

Cheers,

OTB

PS I'm not Uwe Boll!

[S4ur0n27]

Hey, Uwe Boll's upcoming Dungeon Siege has a big cast

[Wolfman Walt]

Which makes me sad cause I like Burt Reynolds, Jason Statham, and Ray Liotta. That movie will probably kill their careers.

Edit - Also, what base are you at OTB? Weisbadden? Ramstein? Graff?

[Thor Kaufman]

I got the AAFES just around the corner and Wiesbaden is just a few kilometers away, so there is a chance OTB is living near me mebbe? :terror assault:

The army staff/personnel(?) and their families heavily fenced their colony in since 9/11, though. It's like they imprisoned themselves, freaky paranoid americans.

[Wolfman Walt]

The ironic thing is that we're pulling out of Germany and all the new housing and "security measures" are just gonna be up for like 2 years.

[S4ur0n27]

Why are you pulling out? It'll start bleeding

[Kashluk]

I'm busy rediscovering Europe, which has changed quite a bit since '84...

Well be sure to visit United Confederates of Finnolandia some day soon, ok mang? We'll have some fun, I'll get you drunk and crash your car to a tree so you can bring many painful and butt-aching memories with you to Amerrrrica that last forever! Wunderbar!

[OnTheBounce]

Edit - Also, what base are you at OTB? Weisbadden? Ramstein? Graff?

I'm at Conn Barracks, which is in Schweinfurt. A-1/18 Infantry, 2nd Brigade, 1st Infantry Division.

Word is that they'll be shutting this place down in '09 and transferring the division back to Ft. Riley, KS, its traditional base. (I don't intend to be part of that, though, since I'll either be back "on the block" or doing my damndest to get over to Villseck so that I can stay in Germany.)

OTB

Edit:

PS I had a little accident Thursday afternoon. I was putting up some concertina wire and someone flopped a roll of it over onto my hand. And since there were no gloves available I got a good look at the muscle in my thumb. Funny, it's always the stupid things in life that seem to scar you... (It's not a bad cut, only about 2 cm long, but it's pretty fuckin' deep.)

[Lynxer]

Why is it America's army is still stationed in Germany? Still fearful of communism and fascism I guess? Or is it just because it's an American tradition to eternally occupy a country, even long after it has stabilized.

[OnTheBounce]

Well, for one thing, even though relations between Germany and the US have cooled a bit over the Iraq issue there are lots of economic issues to consider. There are German towns that will literally dry up and blow away with the wind once the US pulls out or at least take a severe hit since their economies largely revolve around serving (and in some case servicing) GIs. For instance, Schweinfurt's economy is already reeling from the fact that the famous ball-bearing factories here have been moved into 3rd world countries, and now both Conn and Ledward Barracks here are going to be closed within four years. Although things aren't like they were back in the early '80s when GIs had loads of spending power -- let me tell you, this situation with the weak US$ is putting a crimp in my plans -- GIs still account for a very large percentage of business in the area.

However, there are plans to set up bases in the countries that have newly joined NATO, like Poland. It really is the end of an era, since duty in Korea is also changing pretty radically, so those people thinking about trying to strike out and follow in their father's footsteps may want to think again.

Personally, I'm not going to bitch about it since I haven't been here in over two decades and Uncle Sam's penchant for doing what he does gave me the opportunity for a (nearly) all expense paid trip back to Germany.

OTB

[Megatron]

The latter perhaps? I think after the end of world war 2 it was part of a treaty that an allied nation would have to occupy Germany as to stop it from rising back up and sweeping through Europe again. Or it might have been ww1, I'm not too good with History :wizard:

[St. Toxic]

Yeah Germans are great :Cleck_buffalous:

[Wolfman Walt]

Was stationed at Schweinfurt 90-94ish. Used to go to Conn alot. Is the PX/Powerzone still seperate from the barracks area or did they combine the two now? Ironic enough, after we were in Schweinfurt we moved to Vilseck which is still a pretty nice and big community although a hell of a drive away, atleast last I checked (circa 2003).

I think when we were stationed there it was with 1st Armor division, but I need to recheck that. We actually lived out in Hambach which is about 20 or 30 minutes away. Nice small place - I suggest checking out their butcher/bakery as they had some great eats last I was there....ofcourse that could be my mind overglorifying it.

Aren't we also moving to Romania or somewhere there abouts?

As to why we still have bases in Germany - I know one reason is because Germany bases (Like Rammstein Airforce Base) are important hubs from getting into areas like Iraq.

[Franz Schubert]

Walt I thought you were in your early 20's?

[vendetta]

I think US army bases are moving to places like Uzbekhistan and Georgia (the country, not the state), so old USSR strongholds. 'Guess they want to be in the backyard of all who seem threatening to them (China, Russia, Islam, etc).

[Thor Kaufman]

Walt I thought you were in your early 20's?

Yes, but Wolfman Walt has been part of the MKULTRA program, he has been recruited and brainwashed in his child age

[Wolfman Walt]

I am - But my father was a CSM in the military until 2003 so as a child I was indoctrinated into the military life.

[Redeye]

I think US army bases are moving to places like Uzbekhistan and Georgia (the country, not the state), so old USSR strongholds. 'Guess they want to be in the backyard of all who seem threatening to them (China, Russia, Islam, etc).

Power Projection.
You need supply depots, radio relays(in case satts aren't enough/get knocked out), airstrips for refueling(or for launching tankers to meet up with bombers from somewhere else), all that shit.
I mean, would you just declare war and then start building a logistical infrastructure?
That would be way dumb.
Of course, having the infrastructure in place can give ideas...
"We need the bases to project power against people who we pissed off by projecting power against them."

[vx trauma]

Iran, Syria, N-Korea or China. Which one next?