- Dec 26, 2018
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Oh, you had to bring her into the conversation, now all I can think about are flutes and champagne bottles.
- Thread starter Nottravis
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- Jan 10, 2018
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- Oct 17, 2018
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- Jan 10, 2018
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Was it minus 10C and in Germany for a training combined with other countries?
- Oct 17, 2018
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No, that was REFORGER ("Return of Forces to Germany" - a NATO exercise) and the NATO command exercise alternating every year while I was stationed there... some time around the neolithic, I believe
Loved Germany, though. Beautiful country, the autobahn, great public transit, just never try to pass a bus in traffic - as soon as they turn on their left turn signal they have the right-of-way... even if you're halfway around them when they do. Bus hits you, it's your fault.
- Jan 10, 2018
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Sigh guess I did spoil my age a little, was conscripted around the same time as another member of this forum that mentioned that earlier. I was less suited to the militarily life though and yeah Germany is not that bad. ( I know treason for a Dutchman).No, that was REFORGER ("Return of Forces to Germany" - a NATO exercise) and the NATO command exercise alternating every year while I was stationed there... some time around the neolithic, I believe
Loved Germany, though. Beautiful country, the autobahn, great public transit, just never try to pass a bus in traffic - as soon as they turn on their left turn signal they have the right-of-way... even if you're halfway around them when they do. Bus hits you, it's your fault.
Edit: Unless it is minus 10C of course and you have to be out and about.
- Oct 17, 2018
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Wait, the Nederlanders on some of those exercises were still in basic?Sigh guess I did spoil my age a little, was conscripted around the same time as another member of this forum that mentioned that earlier. I was less suited to the militarily life though and yeah Germany is not that bad. ( I know treason for a Dutchman).
Edit: Unless it is minus 10C of course and you have to be out and about.
Could explain a lot. Except those guys got to have booze in the field... and got overtime if I was told correctly. Something about a union?Anyway - one of those exercises I got second-degree frostbite in 8 fingers, 1 thumb and the knuckles of both hands. Didn't hurt... until they started warming back up. Upside, I don't have hairy fingers any more - it was fine, soft hairs, but still looked Neanderthal-ish.
- Sep 2, 2018
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Good times...No, that was REFORGER ("Return of Forces to Germany" - a NATO exercise) and the NATO command exercise alternating every year while I was stationed there... some time around the neolithic, I believe
We were young, and the world was simpler: the bad guys were always
- Jan 10, 2018
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Well I can assure you that conscripts were part of those exercises when we still had those and yeah the overtime seems pretty likely. Can also confirm the booze and that we had the option of doing tax free purchases during those exercises. Luckily I escaped frostbite, though you seem to have been lucky with yours.Wait, the Nederlanders on some of those exercises were still in basic?
Anyway - one of those exercises I got second-degree frostbite in 8 fingers, 1 thumb and the knuckles of both hands. Didn't hurt... until they started warming back up. Upside, I don't have hairy fingers any more - it was fine, soft hairs, but still looked Neanderthal-ish.
- Feb 16, 2019
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Basics for conscripts was only about a month and a half. Conscripts for specialized tasks (tank drivers etc.) would get a crashcourse for another few weeks, but few got to be that lucky, most such neat jobs were already phased out for them, and only done by the "beroeps" or professional military personal.Wait, the Nederlanders on some of those exercises were still in basic?
Anyway - one of those exercises I got second-degree frostbite in 8 fingers, 1 thumb and the knuckles of both hands. Didn't hurt... until they started warming back up. Upside, I don't have hairy fingers any more - it was fine, soft hairs, but still looked Neanderthal-ish.
Many conscripts during those last days never even went on training anymore, and spent the last seven and a half months of their nine months duty doing absolutely *nothing*. Sounds nice, to get paid for doing nothing, but trust me, those I know who had that happen to them felt they were utterly and completely pointless as a human being after that time.
Getting good food wasn't the only neat thing about the navy: the navy is always thin stretched for people, so there was something to do every day, though I did often get sent "shopping for a package of batteries for the Sarge". Which was a euphinism for getting official permission to leave the base for an unofficial afternoon off. That placement in Amsterdam did have several merrits.
- Jan 10, 2018
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Yeah the barracks being three quarters empty did not help either or my natural tendency to do something my way if that is an easier and better way to do a thing, luckily I had some other talents that were usable .Basics for conscripts was only about a month and a half. Conscripts for specialized tasks (tank drivers etc.) would get a crashcourse for another few weeks, but few got to be that lucky, most such neat jobs were already phased out for them, and only done by the "beroeps" or professional military personal.
Many conscripts during those last days never even went on training anymore, and spent the last seven and a half months of their eight months duty doing absolutely *nothing*. Sounds nice, to get paid for doing nothing, but trust me, those I know who had that happen to them felt they were utterly and completely pointless as a human being after that time.
Getting good food wasn't the only neat thing about the navy: the navy is always thin stretched for people, so there was something to do every day, though I did often get sent "shopping for a package of batteries for the Sarge". Which was a euphinism for getting official permission to leave the base for an unofficial afternoon off. That placement in Amsterdam did have several merrits.
But yeah the booze use was extremely high under conscripts in those days.
- Oct 17, 2018
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Yeah, back then you didn't have to wonder if anyone around you might be Thea Lundgren in disguise!Good times...russiansoviet forces...
- Jan 10, 2018
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That is cause you knew they were all Theas, Thea is legion afterall
- May 28, 2017
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- May 28, 2017
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I don't suppose I should mention that I was born on the other side of the curtain? Yes, yes, I'm sure it's irrelevant...
- Feb 16, 2019
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I actually spent several vacations behind the curtain. But, it was about to go down when I got old enough to understand the differences between the two sides. To a six year old, passing through that gate with all those armed soldiers walking around was so exciting, that I didn't even notice it took more than 2 hours. Well, and it was mom and dad who had to unpack the entire cartrunk and even open the suitcases strapped to the roof for inspection, not me.I don't suppose I should mention that I was born on the other side of the curtain? Yes, yes, I'm sure it's irrelevant...
- Oct 17, 2018
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Unfortunately, we don't get to choose where we're born - otherwise I think I'd have chosen differently.I don't suppose I should mention that I was born on the other side of the curtain? Yes, yes, I'm sure it's irrelevant...
- Apr 26, 2017
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Frap already knows too much comrade.I don't suppose I should mention that I was born on the other side of the curtain? Yes, yes, I'm sure it's irrelevant...
ps:
You know, i enjoy this thread quite a lot. Despite moving too fast and the sometimes random topic. Discussions here are always nice to read (even if a bit tiring moving through 20+ pages).
Quite unlike some other big threads i follow, where people fight over best "waifus", non stoping "when is the next update" or people using their tier patron status to try belittle others.
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- Oct 17, 2018
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Dripping - every time I see your sig I think of this.
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- Oct 17, 2018
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What? I know nothing.Frap already knows too much comrade.
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