Monday, August 16, 2004

Troop Realignment Well, Bush made his announcement today about relocating troops back to the states.  He wasn't very specific about when troops will start moving back, or more important, who will be going. He did say this would occur over the next ten years.  Doesn't mean that the troops at Baumholder would move ten years from now, though.  Could be next year for all we know.  Another article I found said movement probably wouldn't happen before 2006 at the earliest. And of course this could all change if Kerry gets elected.  I'm sure he has his own ideas if he's put in charge of the armed forces.  He might decide to start building bases in Eastern Europe, which Bush also mentioned, and putting the troops there instead of Germany.  I've heard that idea ever since I got here. Democrats are calling this a political move to make troops and their families (and their votes) happy.  Lots of families hate living in places like Germany, though from what I've seen, many make themselves miserable by never going anywhere and exploring a bit.  I knew one senior last year who had been in Baumholder for at least three years and had never been anywhere beyond thirty miles or so of the place.  Well, at least Bush didn't say troops in Germany would be pulled by the end of the year, or something like that.  At least this school year seems pretty safe. Related link: Stars and Stripes:  Pentagon leaders tell House troop realignment could last through 2010 7:04:16 PM     |

© Copyright 2005 Alex L. Mauldin.