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What do you think of the U.S. pulling 12,000 troops out of Germany?

 

 

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It's about time! The Soviet Union and warsaw Pact no longer exist. Moving some of the troops to other European countries makes sense if the goal is to counter Russia's moves. It is past time for Germany to stand up and take responsibility for its own defense instead of shirking its financial responsibilities and relying on Americans to fund European defense.

Submitted by sl.haffly : Jul 30, 2020 3:13pm

There will still be troops in Germany, less than there are today.
Poland has offered the US bases in their country where we have some troops now.
Building new bases will allow the military to have more modern facilities and the newest upgrades in equipment. If Russia ever attacked Germany, it might well be achieved in the use of long & short range missles. At least in Poland,it will give us a bit more time to analyze the situation and make the appropriate decisions in how to effectively respond.

Submitted by RetUSAFVET : Aug 21, 2020 1:44am

It is a stupid move by a President (I hate calling Trump President) that has NO idea what he is doing.

Submitted by ngreenbaypacker... : Jul 30, 2020 3:18pm

You may need to study this issue a bit more. And I certainly don't appreciate you talking down the GREATEST President our GREAT nation has had in many years...

Submitted by allenpegg1 : Jul 30, 2020 3:52pm

We all should study this issue but we should also remember that Germany is a strategic location. I certainly disagree with your opinion of what a great President is. I have seen several Great Presidents over the last 74 years and I know that a Great President has great respect for the Military and cares about ALL Americans.

Submitted by bpjinc : Jul 30, 2020 5:05pm

NATO is important. I too have seen great Presidents since the 40s through today. FDR,Truman,Eisenhower,Kennedy,Reagan,H W Bush,even Obama. Open your eyes to what a great country we always have had. Where is the Greatest Generation? I believe the upcoming election will speak for itself.

Submitted by Dave234 : Aug 1, 2020 6:05pm

If you hate the President and this country so much prove it, leave this great nation, go to Germany or China. The DEMs (Delusional Extremely Misinformed Socialists) want to destroy America from within. I remember when we were all american's, united as one nation under God indivisible with liberty and justice for all. History has proven this is the greatest Country in the history of world. Go take a U.S. history class and study the Constitution and the declaration of independence. Forget what the universities and the fake news are saying, think for yourself.
US Navy Vietnam Vet.

Submitted by gmpaley : Jul 30, 2020 10:52pm

You got that right!!!

Submitted by breachplug : Jul 31, 2020 12:46pm

And you do? Oh, forgive me, I didn't realize your were a retired general at the Pentagon! Your comment shows more stupidity than you could ever imagine!

Submitted by breachplug : Jul 31, 2020 12:38pm

Easy question. I spent 16+ yrs in Germany from 1987-2003. Watched the wall fall, seen the birth of the Euro and the EC. Germany is NOT the same. Under Merkel, Germany has become mostly Socialist and has climbed in bed with Russia. Russia is now Germany's primary energy provider. U.S. Army, Europe (USAREUR) should move completely out of Germany and base those troops in Hungary, Poland, Georgia, etc. The cost of maintaining U.S. Forces in Germany is much more expensive than eastern Europe, and still pay the U.S. bill to NATO. Headquarters, U.S. European Command (HQ, EUCOM), currently based in Stuttgart (Patch Barracks), is moving to Belgium. Germany freeloads on NATO as far as paying their bill to NATO. YES - U.S. FORCES OUT OF GERMANY!!!

Submitted by allenpegg1 : Jul 30, 2020 3:44pm

The ones redeployed into other European are much more appreciated (specially Poland and The Baltics) love the US more then Germany.

Submitted by reintofer : Jul 30, 2020 3:46pm

Also, Germany has allowed it's own military to fall to historical lows in all aspects. Another implication that Germany was freeloading on NATO for security...

Submitted by allenpegg1 : Jul 30, 2020 3:48pm

Polish and Baltic people had many years of suffering under an enemy occupying their Countries. They are today very concerned of matters happening in the US who has an enemy within its borders.

Submitted by reintofer : Jul 30, 2020 3:54pm

It's a lousy move, Trump either thinks he knows it all and takes advice from Putin instead of the National Security Structure or he's doing it to get even with the German Chanceler. He shows no respect for our NATO partners who have shed blood on many occasions.

Submitted by geno688 : Jul 30, 2020 4:02pm

I never realized how many retire generals were members of the Legion. Obviously you opened your mouth before engaging your brain(?)! What did you think the JCOS did, sit by idle and not offer any input or the suggestion to relocate?

Submitted by breachplug : Jul 31, 2020 12:41pm

The petty, vindictive CinC chooses to show his displeasure with Angela Merkel by messing with the security of NATO.
What a pathetic, sissy he is.

Submitted by jsmella : Jul 30, 2020 4:14pm

And your comment is "not" vindictive? Your just another Monday quarterback, with 30 years as a military officer who was on the JCOS? Pardon me if I don't salute!

Submitted by breachplug : Jul 31, 2020 12:43pm

Thank you President Trump! This should have been done many many years ago. Germans living around the bases there have made a wonderful living for more than 50 years from American GI’s and their family’s. German’s can take care of themselves and US GIs were never supposed to provide their security forever. Germany needs to take responsibility for their own country. Trump needs to put Merkel on notice that the remaining Americans are coming home soon as well.

Submitted by djtruman : Jul 30, 2020 4:41pm

It's not a strategic move; it's a political maneuver to: a) punish Germany and leverage them to increase their payment to NATO, b) fulfil a campaign promise.

It has the effect of further weakening our ties to our allies.

Submitted by cliffordj.cool : Jul 30, 2020 5:22pm

There are several logical reasons for removing troops from Germany. Europe is in less danger of invasion that areas in the South Pacific. Our most lethal enemy is China; therefore let's concentrate our military in that area. Next: Germany has the wherewithal to defend its own borders. Poland is a better investment of our military might. Bottom line: It's economically smart to reduce/reassign troops in/from Germany.

Submitted by roserickchad : Jul 30, 2020 5:45pm

Long overdue....

Submitted by rtjc23 : Jul 30, 2020 6:31pm

Spent more than 10 years there......time to move on......Germany has the firepower to take care of itself.....Russia doe not have the financial where with all not are they foolish enough to attack Germany...

Submitted by richflowers5 : Jul 30, 2020 6:40pm

COULDN'T AGREE MORE. SHAME WE CALL HIM OUR PRESIDENT!

Submitted by H83PTS : Jul 30, 2020 7:32pm

The Reason We Are in Germany

Twice the world has suffered at the hands of Germany. The troops are there to remind the world and Germany that they will not rule the world. Millions. have died and countless people have suffered because of them. The troops should remain and stand guard for the world so that they never try for world domination.

Submitted by msricemsr : Jul 30, 2020 8:52pm

I feel that Germany should pay its fair share to support NATO. We are not the world's policeman. We still have the ability to end the world with nuclear proliferation. I would think that would be a deterrent for a Russian invasion of Germany. Remember the Cuban Missle Crisis. Who blinked?

Submitted by philrup : Jul 30, 2020 9:20pm

Have to agree with djtruman, Germany has been enriching their whole country at our expense since the Cold War ended. Time to dial that scene back a bit

Submitted by gpumphrey : Jul 30, 2020 9:24pm

A complex issue that defies simplistic opinions. The US has a very critical military structure embedded in Germany and I'm sure that our military professionals have many opinions on the veracity of DJT's statement. If past performance is any indication of current pronouncements, the DoD may not have been involved in the reduction announcement. Any yes, the most significant benefactor is Putin, not the US and especially not Germany. As to the GREATEST PREDIDENT comment, I am disappointed that a fellow Legionaire holds such an immoral and racist human being as the Greatest President of my beloved Country.
Rej

Submitted by rjewett39 : Jul 30, 2020 10:30pm

merkel made big bucks doing business with terrorists moslem countries in the mideast while allowing terrorists to overwhelm european union. Let the russian tanks rattle into berlin and spend the money rebuilding the US infrastructure

Submitted by h2marklan : Jul 31, 2020 12:14am

It's foolish for us to make a statement on what our president has done, is doing because we don't have a clue to what all his advisers are telling him. I may not agree with him, but I don't have all the facts.
He is our president and I think it would be better for us to pray for him and support him than to criticize him.

Submitted by alanhammar : Jul 31, 2020 7:33am

Well when I was over in Italy. And would go to Germany I was told by them that they didn't want us there anyway. The retirees can't use the PX or Commissary there. That was in the contract they wrote up for us to have our troops there. So I say let them fend for themselves. Sound good to me..

Submitted by twisteddevil92 : Jul 31, 2020 7:35am

Trump's move against Merkel has greatly pleased Vlidimir Putin.

Submitted by jssmella : Jul 31, 2020 9:11am

Germany can and must shoulder a greater responsibility for its own defense, but I suspect that this is not a wise strategic move, but is typical of our strategic moves for many years which reflect domestic political conflicts and
budgetary constraints rather than a realistic assessment of strategic needs and a budget based on those needs. jwc

Submitted by jwchap866 : Jul 31, 2020 11:09am

I was deployed 18mos.(04/1960 to 09/1961) there,most of the Germany were very frindy. Even though our bomes killed 100th of thousand of civilians in 1945 and destory a lot of there citys. It was a time they were rebuilding. Its time to let them fly on there own.

Submitted by louielakewood : Jul 31, 2020 11:18am

We shouldn't keep any troops in Germany or elsewhere in Europe anymore. It made sense in the early decades of post-WW2, but it hasn't made any sense for quite a while now. Keeping our troops in Europe creates a false sense of security for Europeans, and removing troops will be a serious incentive for them to beef up their armies and bring them under joint European command - which can still be a member of NATO. A strong European Army is a far better European defense against any possible Russian threat, than token numbers of US troops stationed in Europe.

Submitted by rcca307 : Jul 31, 2020 6:13pm

Germany is part of the EU. The EU, even without Britain, has a bigger population, far bigger GDP, and a larger tech base than Russia. The EU should be providing its own security, with the US as the "guarantor of last resort." All US forces should be withdrawn from continental Europe and the Islamic world.

Submitted by steved56 : Jul 31, 2020 6:35pm

We must never forget the outcome for leaving Afghanistan...after President Reagan spoke those famous words of tearing down the walls in Berlin...we left Afghanistan in a vacuum with the result of 911. Recently, we left the Kurdish people at the mercy of the Turkish forces that was eager to attack the Kurdistan Province but they was giving us aid against the enemy forces there...we pull out and the Turkish military slaughtered those which was aiding our forces. Like Afghanistan, I pray our shortsightedness won't come back to "bite us" in the future.

Submitted by cpojack642 : Jul 31, 2020 9:02pm

Our president is an agent of Russia. So any action he takes regarding NATO is done to benefit his master, Putin. Ask yourself, why are no Americans allowed to witness his meetings with Putin? Why is there not transcripts? Why won't he release his tax returns? Why does he constantly lavish praise on Putin?

Submitted by jtsjr95 : Aug 1, 2020 10:46am

allenpegg1
To error is human regardless what people say,
but, to fail to be corrected is not excusable.

Submitted by Marvin25 : Aug 1, 2020 11:48am

It's time to bring the majority of ALL our troops home. Long Term entanglements must end. Nations need to stand up for their own sovereignty and both pay and pave their own way. We've got serious internal problems right here on our own soil that need tending to.

Submitted by keary.oflaherty... : Aug 26, 2020 5:42pm