For American military personnel:?

Question

I'm American, live in a foreign country for 10 years and spent some time working with the US Air Force that has a small installation near here.

Why is it that 80% of the people who are sent here refuse to learn any of the local language or culture and spend their days either with other Americans or at their own homes?
They don't see the host country, unless it is with a tour group of others like them.
They don't make an effort to mingle with the locals and for the most part they act like they're superior to the locals.

Why sign up for the military?
You won't get to stay in Podunk, USA. You might have to leave.

Those Americans who are here represent the USA, and I'm embarassed for them--leaving beer cans in the front yards, toys scattered all over walkways, getting drunk and arrogant in bars

So, why do it? Why come here and complain? Don't sign up. Stay in Podunk, shop at Walmart, eat Taco Bell and carry Big Gulps.

Or try to enjoy your stay here....

Pobept:

How can I be anti-American when I wish people from my country would take more pride in their actions and seek knowledge?

Kevin S:
Why join? Why not try to enjoy where you are if you are stationed somewhere you hadn't "planned" on?

Angel:

I grew up in the military too, and lived most of my life overseas where my parents taught me to respect the culture where we were and to learn the language. I rarely lived in the states, my first husband was US Army, and now my second is in the military of the country I'm living in.

So, don't writie as if I don't know what I'm talking about.

If a young enlistee has to follow rules to maintain decency on base, why can't he be bothered to do so while living off-base?

They can't leave beer cans all over base housing, so why is it ok if you live amongst the locals?

Answer 1

I'm a little surprised at some of the postings you got for this question. I don't really understand how it makes you anti-American because you want to make your time in the country you're living in the best experience you possibly can. I don't mean any disrespect to carolinaboy or his posting, but I really don't get why he thinks it makes you not like the US as much as other Americans just because you want to make your time overseas better. I love America and it's the only place that I ever want to settle down, and liking the country that I'll be living in for the few years doesn't take away my love and respect for the United States. I'm just trying to make the best of a situation that I know I can't change for the next few years.
We're stationed in Italy, and we moved off the Military base last year so we and our children could learn more about the Italian culture, I'm so glad we did it! I know that living off base isn't for everyone, but we just felt it was the best choice for us.
We have been so welcomed by our Italian neighbors, and we have the greatest landlords! They have just taken the best care of us, treating us like family. This will be our last duty station because my husband is retireing from the Military in two years, so it also will be our last opportunity to live overseas and to not just see Italy, but to see Europe! Since we got here in 2004, we have had the chance to visit several other countries.
it's important that you respect, recognize and make every effort to learn the culture of your host country, and to learn some of the language. I don't come close to speaking great Italian, but I was determined to learn enough to ask simple questions like "Where is the bathroom" if I'm out in public! I wouldn't trade my time here. It's been a good
experence.
I'll probably make some people angry for this, but I think the responses you received on here is not the way most Military and their families feel about living overseas. You hardly ever hear people not liking it.
No, my husband wasn't sent here to be a tourist, but why waste the opportunity to see Italy since we're going to be here anyway. I guess that I shouldn't assume evryone likes to tour and see new places. But for me, it helps pass the time while you're waiting to go back home.
To say we aren't here as ambassadors for our country is ridiculous. They're the US Military, so I can't imagine any other group of people that should work extra hard to make a good impression and represent America while in a foreign country. During our orientation after we moved here, ambassadors is the exact word the CO of the base used about the Military and their families. He said it is very important that we make every effort to respect Italy and their way of life.
Why do many people think that it's ok for us Americans to expect for foreigners to respect our country when they come there. We feel that they need to learn English because we're not obligated to learn their language since they are in our country, but many Americans don't feel that same way when we are in someone else country. We should give them the same respect that we expect from them. This is their country, and I'm just a guest in it, just as they would be in America
.

Answer 2

I grew up a Navy brat, joined after high school, and currently have a little brother in the U.S. Marines, and I have to say that I am offended by this. Military does not equal comic book superhero honey.

It is a job.

These people (and their families) don't get sent overseas to be some type of good will ambassador. I don't believe that the trash and unkept yards are those living on base. You can't even get a sunburn without 'damaging government property', they aren't going to let you get away with leaving "their" base a mess. Out in the city, that would be different. You have to remember that the average enlistee is a young, unattached man, somewhere around the age of 19 (you know, the same age you were when you went to college and partied your way through four years before leaving the US for your lucrative job). They're out carousing just like they would be if they were in the states. Do you expect them to all of the sudden say, "Hey we need charm school since we're going to a different country"? No, they're being just what they are: man/boys.

And no, most of them don't get a choice of permanent duty station. The military tells them where to go, how to get there, what to say, and how to say it.

They don't sign up in Podunk thinking they're going to stay there, they sign up praying they won't be sent overseas and/or into battle. They go through their schooling and work their asses off to become the best they can be at their job - protecting you and staying alive.

That's what it is dear, it's a job, it's not a good will mission. I dare you to tell any military man that he doesn't fit your international standards after having spent his days busting his *** in the sand, on the water, or in the air, or training like he was. Trust me, most of them probably don't want to be there anymore than you want them there.

Sounds like a good thing you moved out of the US. Just remember, since you're still a citizen, those military people you're putting down, are still there protecting your rights to talk that way about them. If you think it's so easy, I dare you to join and set an example for us all.

Answer 3

Being in the military overseas (not in a warzone) is just like being in the states. You got a basically 9-5 job, you come home and eat and play with the kids and go to bed, to do it all over tomorrow. Most people stick with their own kind, whether it be staying in their own neighborhood or cultural group. and if it is on base, I cant believe they have it really trashy, or the enlisted person will be called in to the commanders office and asked why. No sense learning a new language if you are only there for a year or two, unless you want to do that. It's here today, gone tomorrow for most enlisted men/women and their families.

Answer 4

I too am very Pro-American yet I have often said my one thing I do dislike about Americans in general you have just summed up nicely.
It's not just Military stationed overseas but tourists as well. When they travel abroad they act as if they expect to be treated as if they are still in America. They treat the locals as foreigners when in fact ,it is the American who is the foreigner.
This has often led me to violate the "Buddy system" when we pulled into an overseas port while I was in the Navy. I often went out alone into the country without another buddy because frankly most of them behaved exactly as you described. There was one who didnt but as he was in a different duty section from me (in a three section duty roster) we were both off only once every three days.

I would say this tendancy of Americans is more responsible for the general dislike by many other countries than anything Washington DC has ever done.

Answer 5

Well, first of all you said the "Air Force" they are a college program with a military uniform. I am a Marine overseas right now and I could care less about the country I''m in, I didn't come here to be a tourist I came here to do a job. And since my job brings me here I come. Maybe you should think about why you aren't complaining about not being in the USA? Guess you don't like it as much as the rest of us. Oh, and I drink to kill the pain of not getting to see my wife every night and be able to watch my son grow up. But that is ok I'll protect your freedom of speech..........enjoy!

Answer 6

Why is it that 80% of the people who are sent here refuse to learn any of the local language? Languages are difficult to master and I bet you If you check Most of the people there are able to muster out a few words of the local language.
They spend their days either with other Americans or at their own homes because of fear, The fear of the unknown is always the major reason People gather in groups where they feel the most secure.

Answer 7

The people who join a volunteer military are usually a little rougher and have less manners. Anyone can join the military, and it has great benefits and decent pay for people who could not do well otherwise. I hope that you don't judge Americans off of our military. I am in the military and I am stationed in Korea. I have learned the language, and the culture. I don't complain and I have enjoyed myself very much here. Of course I am not from "Podunk", I am from San Francisco. My original goal was to get an overseas assignment to Germany(especially with the world cup coming up), but I ended up in Korea and have enjoyed it very much. Please don't stereotype Americans.

Answer 8

I think it is because Americans in general feel that the World owes them.....I am a Military Brat/Prior Military/Married to a Soldier for the second time....have lived in another Country about 6 yrs now. My DH and I go OFF Base to shop...we learned the language/Customs of our Host Country. About 99.99% of the other Americans here refuse to shop off Base.
But, it isn't just Americans coming 'here' it is also others of different Nationalities going to America...they want things the way it is in THEIR Homeland.....and get pissed if Americans don't do it!
What I don't understand is this....why do the Americans feel that THEIR way is the ONLY way when they go to other Lands, but then get pissed when others go to America and demand the same thing these Americans do when they are in other Lands?
Selfishness? Who knows? But when you find the answer, please let me know!

Answer 9

I am a military spouse and I ask the same questions. We have lived overseas 11 out of 17 years and we choose to live off the base and try to merge ourselves in the culture. At our last duty station in Japan I had just as many Japanese friends as American. Just so you know...some people do not get to choose their duty station, some military want to go and drag their families with them and some are just too ignorant to take advantage of a great opportunity.

We are going to Europe next year - I intend to be conversational in the language before I even get there.

Answer 10

My brother spent 6 years in Germany he came back with a smattering of the language. He said he served with guys who never learned the language and other than the bars never saw any of GE.

Americans are arrogant and insular. We taught from an early age that we are special and have a special place in the world. Because of that we expect everybody to speak english and to behave just like us.

The japanese have this joke they tell in business circles: What do you call a businessman who speaks only one language? An American

pobept pretty much proves what I said.