compound life....and climbing

Has anybody ever lived on a military compound or a base in a foreign country? What are your takes on culture shock, networking, significant other transporting, climbing etc. ? Personal experiences ONLY please.

I have. I overcame the culture shock by drinking a lot of local beer and fucking a lot of local women. I networked the friends of the local women I fucked so I could fuck them too. No significant-other but I did get to blow shit up with tracked vehicles which is pretty fucking good transportation compared to dirtbag vans and Honda Elements.

All of that is behind me though and I am now a civilized gentleman.

Ray Pinpillage wrote:I have. I overcame the culture shock by drinking a lot of local beer and fucking a lot of local women. I networked the friends of the local women I fucked so I could fuck them too. No significant-other but I did get to blow shit up with tracked vehicles which is pretty fucking good transportation compared to dirtbag vans and Honda Elements. All of that is behind me though and I am now a civilized gentleman.

ok let me guess...it was Germany during a World War II? no?

Germany would be actually sick! ...living on the base and taking trains toclimbing destinations though Europe....

I haven't lived on a military base, but living in Germany I can address some of your questions from what I've seen. Culture shock = 0 since the soldiers never actually integrate into the local culture. They stay on their base unless they're out at a bar trying to find a cumbucket. If you actually learn German while you're here, and I mean the language not just one or two words or phrases, then you are a real exception and can say you've experienced some of the culture. Otherwise the locals will also see you as an outsider and you won't integrate - same as in America with somebody who can't speak English.

In the area of the Frankenjura, you have the base in Bamberg and another in Grafenwöhr. There's another base which is already a bit too far away in Ansbach.

The above may not be from "personal experience" but this is. Since you're obviously a soldier, you may not mind the issue of hiking miles with a pack to reach the crag/mountain, but as a pansy ass sport climber, I sure don't want to take the train and haul my shit forever and show up to the crag completely exhausted. I'd rather drive as close as I can and walk as little as possible.

Question: Do you have a choice where you're sent?

MPuser10840 wrote:I haven't lived on a military base, but living in Germany I can address some of your questions from what I've seen. Culture shock = 0 since the soldiers never actually integrate into the local culture. They stay on their base unless they're out at a bar trying to find a cumbucket. If you actually learn German while you're here, and I mean the language not just one or two words or phrases, then you are a real exception and can say you've experienced some of the culture. Otherwise the locals will also see you as an outsider and you won't integrate - same as in America with somebody who can't speak English. In the area of the Frankenjura, you have the base in Bamberg and another in Grafenwöhr. There's another base which is already a bit too far away in Ansbach. The above may not be from "personal experience" but this is. Since you're obviously a soldier, you may not mind the issue of hiking miles with a pack to reach the crag/mountain, but as a pansy ass sport climber, I sure don't want to take the train and haul my shit forever and show up to the crag completely exhausted. I'd rather drive as close as I can and walk as little as possible. Question: Do you have a choice where you're sent?

I am a soldier at heart :) , but no I will be working as a civilian on a military base if accepted. The Germans I met here in the US were all really chill , way friendlier than the French! I looked at the map at were the bases are and there are plenty. It will all depend were they have the most need. Most contracts are at least one year so I may even be able to learn German. This area is totally worth looking into in the future!

Cool! There is a smaller area (Rheinland Pfalz) on the West side of Germany, which isn't too far away from the base located near Darmstadt. Maybe 2 hours or so, driving. If you want to learn German, make friends and take courses here with your significant other and speak it as much as possible. Don't live on the base if you can avoid it. And I tell you about the other area because it may be easier to make friends there than here in the Frankenjura.

Also, I've tried learning French and just can't. German was much easier for me for some reason. Probably has to do with there being no logic to the French language - a thousand exceptions to every rule.

Sweet! Nice to know those things. We may not have a choice where the housing will be , thank you for the info.

Ray Pinpillage wrote:I have. I overcame the culture shock by drinking a lot of local beer and fucking a lot of local women. I networked the friends of the local women I fucked so I could fuck them too. No significant-other but I did get to blow shit up with tracked vehicles which is pretty fucking good transportation compared to dirtbag vans and Honda Elements. All of that is behind me though and I am now a civilized gentleman.

So this is why americans are all so loved abroad... sounds pretty sad to me.

The Phoenix wrote: So this is why americans are all so loved abroad... sounds pretty sad to me.

actually the best and worst times of my life summed up. everyone has their hobbies and shit but when youre in it its "die motherfucker die, release, repeat."

The Phoenix wrote: So this is why americans are all so loved abroad... sounds pretty sad to me.

Beta

Ye we both are pretty cosmopolitan ...I am more than my boyfriend since I immigrated to the US. We both are super cool with Euros and Kiwis.