h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Long journal

It was the day of my son's (and his mates') solemn oath with his battalion today.

As some of you know, we still have conscription here in Germany, and son #1 started his on 1st October this year. I wrote up his first expressions here: A58256382 (in case you missed it but are interested)

About two weeks or so ago, he called, asking if we'd come to see him and the barracks where he's stationed on 5th November.

I wasn't keen on going, it's quite far away, I had to arrange to get the day off work, and I don't like to drive such long distances. However, when he asked whether his brother could have the car and take his (son #1's) flat mate, I realised how important it was for him to have his family there on this day, so I agreed to come, too.

Then my husband managed to arrange to get the day off work after all (he'd initially said that he wouldn't go), so all was well.

We got up at 5.30am this morning and left home a good hour later. I had taken some 'Stullen' (the German equivalent of a sandwich) and a thermos of .

As the schedule was for the oath to be held in the late afternoon, I took an extra pair of (woollen) socks to wear while watching the parade etc.

We set out in dry weather, which was a bonus.

Disaster struck about an hour later: I needed to go t the loo, so we stopped at some 'Raststätte'. When I got back into the car, it smelled lovely of . I thought my husband had had a up, but no: while parking the car, the bag with the Thermos which I had kept upright before had toppled, and all the coffee had sipped into the bag. My socks were drowned in coffee (as was the mat of the car).

Wet socks, no coffee.

We arrived at barracks after a good three hours drive.

The weather was lovely: a sunny, mild (if not too warm) autumn day.

Our son showed us round. There were quite a few stands presenting the weapons, equipment and whatever else there is.

One of my son's superiors did an introduction to the weapons they are exercising with and insisted I should try it.

Those weaponss really aren't made for small people, I'd be totally unable to handle it (apart from the fact that I can't imagine I'd every shoot a human being).

Son #2 then joined the queue to do some shooting (simulation) while I went with son #1 to have lunch - well, we insisted that he should have his lunch there).

Afterwards there was a mass in the basilica, and then we had to go to some other barracks some 30 km away for the rest of the event.

We arrived early and went to see some more presentations. There was a room where you could see most of the weapons in use: the bazooka weighs about a ton! (Yeah, it's exaggerated, but I could hardly lift it, let alone aim at one of the toy tanks which were about two metres away), as does the bulletproof vest (18kg).

We got an introduction into the signal service (they operate with ms dos!) and admired a mobile field kitchen (complete with stove and baking tray for cakes).

We then went to the field where the rest of the event would take place. It was about 4pm now, and the sun was sinking. I really cursed my bad luck because my feet were soon cold!

We were still lucky because we could move about a little and stamp our feet - the poor companies had to stand there for more than an hour and weren't allowed to move at all!

Speeches ensued, they all swore their oath (they swear to defend the rights and freedom of Germany), and they then had to stand still and wait until all the friends and family members had taken photos (it was nearly dark by now, so the photos I took don't show anything much).

The recruits are not allowed to smile, or look anywhere else than staright ahead of them (without actually seeing anything), but as soon as I had spotted my son, I laughed and smiled at him - especially when I noticed that he had trouble not to smile back - I could see he was biting his tongue).

He later complained and said I had even managed to make the mates next to him lose their composure.

At about 5.30 they were allowed to leave, so we took our son home with us. He slept for most of the three-hour-drive.

I'm glad we went, because it meant so much to him.

>>his first expressions here<< make that impressions.

It's been a long day, I can't think straight.

He later complained and said I had even managed to make the mates next to him lose their composure

and why not, B'El

That sounds like a great day.

Open house with bazookas...wow...this is the German army as I know and love it...

Sorry to hear about your socks.

Bel that was lovely. You must be so proud. It reminded me a bit of the hassle we had going to my son's graduation, as my husband was very ill at the time. It was worth it though.

I must admit I hadn't realised you still had conscription over there. I sometimes think it would be a good idea here, then I think of all the awful things that are happening, and selfishly I think I am glad we don't have it any more.

Will he be posted anywhere in the near future or is that a long way off?

to him anyway, and to you as his Mum

Websailor

COMPANY!!!!

Will March Past in Review Order!!!!

By The Right

QUIck

MARCH!!















<

There was no ammunition, dmitri.

Still, they were all very keen of showing off the army equiment (I didn't see any tanks, though).

All this lining up, standing still, marching etc stuff was somehow very funny - and yet it all was very scary, too - just bear in mind that there are so many places in the world where these weapons and stuff are actually in use - and used to kill people.

Webbie, this was the first of three months basic training. he'll be closer to us afterwards.

Conscription is a very bad thing in my eyes, especially after what my son told me about it so far.

Best wishes directed toward your son's safety are in order.

Thank you, Jim.

<>

at least all the young uns learn a bit of discipline

there are quite a few over here i would like to see in uniform rather than hanging around the streets

It will be a good thing to use the military here and there over time for some (I hope, short) time to come, so one can never stop being concerned about people in the age group your son is in.

Taff, you're not the only one thinking ie that. I thought: oh, it can't harm, he'll learn a bit of discipline and how to keep his room and locker etc tidy.

But so many of the things they are supposed to do are so ridiculous and illogical or even downright illegal that I feel guilty for having suggested to him that he went.

Jim, they're recruits, not volunteers, so they won't be sent anywhere, or take part in any war or similar.

some of the most ridiculous stuff is character building

so when you come to do some nasty stuff in real life, you look back and think.....at least its not as bad as basic training

I'm not sure it's the right things they learn, Taff.

At least my son knows that he can come home and unload all his frustration here, and that I'll listen to him.

Bel: Oh, I don't understand that exactly, but I'm sure you know your country's current policy well enough to say it. That's good then. No worries!

That's true, no worries there. And my son is stable enough to have his own thoughts and opinions but not mentioning them there. He tells me once he gets home for the weekend, though. It is as if somebody opens the floodgates once he gets here on Friday afternoons.

A lot to listen to, I imagine.

Oh yes - and I keep saying: but where's the logic in that?! and he keeps saying: don't ask. There is no logic in it.

what sort of things are you on about

i might be able to fill in some blanks if i can, (being an old soldier myself)

Oh, all sorts of things, Taff - practically everything, come to think of it.

Sorry folks, it was a long day, so I'm off to bed now.

Talk more tomorrow, goodnight.