First Day at Grafenwohr

Yesterday afternoon we flew into Frankfurt and then caught a hop over to Nuremberg.  We were picked up in a small bus and driven down country roads that looked a lot like northern Michigan.  The Sergeant Major for Grafenworh was our "tour guide" showing us the best villages to visit and where the best local restaurants were.  The trouble began when we tried to actually get on post. 

The military installations are guarded by German contractors who are absolutely by the book.  Now even though each of us had a valid US military ID, none of them were in the Graf computer system, so we were not getting on this post.  After 30 minutes of "negotiation" we were allowed to pass, but I still get the feeling he was not happy about the situation.  We will all be put into the system today, so the troops will all be able to enjoy the local communities.  Who wants to come to Germany and be stuck on post? 

This is our housing at Graf

Our training begins tomorrow so we had the evening to get into our rooms, go to the Commissary to pick up food and supplies, and then to get a quick nap. 

We were invited to the 53rd Annual Grafenwohr German-American Volksfest.  It is a three-day event and we were just in time for the last night.  It is held out on one of the training areas here on post.  They have contracted buses to transport everyone there so no one needs to drive.  Great plan. 

This volksfest smacked of a mid-western county fair.  They had carnies, rides, food vendors, and lots of beer tents.  There was a beer tent dedicated to country western with a live band, one to hip hop, and a traditional one with a big brass "umpa-umpa" band.  This was the only one that was serving beer in big one litre mugs served out of wooden kegs, so in we went.  We got a table near the band, ordered a round, and joined in the beer hall singing. 

Eine Bier Bitte

A highlight of the evening was when the Bundeswehr (German Army) rolled up in a tank to join in the festivities.  I learned from these guys to order two beers at once.  They showed how you can easily throw your weapon across your shoulder to accomplish this.  These guys looked fierce, unshaven, and dirty, but promptly joined in the singing of "Eine Grosse" which I take it is the unofficial national song. 

This morning we begin our training.  The first couple of days will be classroom before we start joining units training in the field.