US Troops to Australia?

I feel like Snowdoggie trolling for political reaction, but I don't get it.

Thoughts?

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-11-17/obama-says-u-s-troops-in-australia-will-keep-asia-pacific-region-secure.html

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2011-11-17/troop-deployment-raises-cluster-bomb-concerns/3677506?section=nt

http://www.theaustralian.com.au/national-affairs/obama-in-australia/brown-calls-for-parliamentary-debate-on-us-military-presence/story-fnb0o39u-1226198099877

Nothing more than force projection. 'Look, we have troops in your back yard, so behave!'.

I dunno, a friendly nation geographically near the Orient isn't a bad deal. I think you might be a bit surprised just how many different countries have your troops stationed in them.

Streetwiseguy wrote: I dunno, a friendly nation geographically near the Orient isn't a bad deal. I think you might be a bit surprised just how many different countries have your troops stationed in them.

Off the top of my head: Germany, Korea, Guam (actually part of the US), Kosovo, Cuba, Japan, Italy, UK, Bahrain.

I have no other thoughts on this other than I'd take the Australia post over fighting the Taliban.

Streetwiseguy wrote: I think you might be a bit surprised just how many different countries have your troops stationed in them.

I too was curious and found this...
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_military_deployments

I was a bit puzzled when I heard this, but considering the fact that the U.S. is being "asked" to leave a few of the countries it has bases in (Iraq and Afganistan...sorry about the spelling) and the Phillipines keep making noises about getting the bases out of their country, I would say this is a bit of forward thinking.

And as a former sailor, I always wanted to go to Australia, but never had the chance. If it were possible (I'm too old) I would re-enlist for duty there. Tho, I suspect you need to have your lips firmly planted on just the right butt(s?) to ever get overseas stationing there.

Wonder what its like to be one of the three guys in Antigua.

All of the Australian girls I've met are sexy as hell... they aren't sending Marines there are they?

I don't care for having our troops occupying other countries. I'm not sure the consquences of not having troops all over the world either...

Our debt would probably be a lot lower if we didn't have all these installations all over the world. Can't we play Team America: World Police from boats in international water instead?

RossD wrote: I don't care for having our troops occupying other countries. I'm not sure the consquences of not having troops all over the world either... Our debt would probably be a lot lower if we didn't have all these installations all over the world. Can't we play Team America: World Police from boats in international water instead?

There's no doubt that there are installations we and out allies could do just as well without. (Yes, I'm looking at you, three guys in Antigua) But sadly there are a lot of cases in which the military presence does keep ugly situations at least somewhat in check. Oh, ships are really expensive too; so more naval presence would likely not help us out fiscally

RossD wrote: I don't care for having our troops occupying other countries. I'm not sure the consquences of not having troops all over the world either... Our debt would probably be a lot lower if we didn't have all these installations all over the world. Can't we play Team America: World Police from boats in international water instead?

There is a difference between "being stationed in" and "occupying" other countries, of course

Not exactly the first time, and Aussies recognize and welcome our allies. China and Indonesia looking over our shoulder, we really welcome our allies.

This has nothing to do with any potential pacific-rim foe. The US is pissed that we do not get cool Holdens and Falcons here, and we are sending in the GD Marines to do something about it!

I wouldn't mind being stationed there. I'm sure there will be a ton of request to go there. But I highly doubt an AF Computer nerd will get a chance to go there. It will most likely be a Navy heavy base with Marines as well.

The only reason this is news is because I motherberkeleyin' hope they need some AF guys over there...

MG_Bryan wrote: All of the Australian girls I've met are sexy as hell... they aren't sending Marines there are they?

I got cussed out by an Aussie yesterday. Even when she was calling me all the 4 letter words in alphabetical order, it still sounded nice.

Keith wrote: There is a difference between "being stationed in" and "occupying" other countries, of course

If China had a base in the United States, I'd consider that as an occupation. Or are you refering to a foreign soldier being stationed at a base controlled/owned/operated by the country in which it's located?

I'd bet a lot of those low count deployments (3 guys in Antigua) are various embassy staff/guards.

Osterkraut wrote: The only reason this is news is because I motherberkeleyin' hope they need some AF guys over there...

That's what I'm saying!

Upon further investigation I found this place just outside of Darwin. Looks fun and has lots of racing options. I see a dirt oval, a drag strip, a kart course, and of course a road course!

DirtyBird222 wrote:

Osterkraut wrote: The only reason this is news is because I motherberkeleyin' hope they need some AF guys over there...

That's what I'm saying! Upon further investigation I found this place just outside of Darwin. Looks fun and has lots of racing options. I see a dirt oval, a drag strip, a kart course, and of course a road course!

I may have asked you this before, but with this forum's stupid post-tracking setup I can't remember, but what are you in for?

cyber surety... what about you?

I guess now I'm called a Combat Systems Officer. Which sounds cool, so yeah.

Sounds pretty neat! I really really really would like to try and make a move to a Combat Controller, Pararescue, or TACP. That's what I had intentions for and I did some research on the Cyber Surety position and it's benefits for getting a decent job in the civilian world so I pounced on that. I have my BA as well so there is always the option of applying for OTS.

DirtyBird222 wrote: I have my BA as well so there is always the option of applying for OTS.

Come to the dark side. We have cookies. And airplanes. Although right now the acceptance rate for civilian OTS candidates is something like 6%...