USAFE Sports, Did you play or watch these games?

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 20 Sep 2014 22:49:25 -0400

From time to time we get inter-service rivalries and trash talk and what happened with the 4077th M.A.S.H. unit was pretty accurate. These games and the teams were similar to small college teams and when you are overseas and are an athlete, these sports can be for bragging rights. Or were anyway. The leagues disbanded after I left Ramstein but still have pictures of those days and the camaraderie of playing sports together.

The major commands had a vested interest and a few wagers between staff and so on. Did you ever play team or even intramural sports overseas?

Response by PO1 Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 20 at 2014 11:57 PM

PO1 Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 20 Sep 2014 23:57:33 -0400

Yep! Football for the Navy in the Pacific.

Response by CMSgt Robert Richard made Sep 21 at 2014 1:45 PM

CMSgt Robert Richard — Sun, 21 Sep 2014 13:45:39 -0400

Played softball for RAF Upper Heyford.

Response by CPT Jack Durish made Sep 22 at 2014 11:44 AM

CPT Jack Durish — Mon, 22 Sep 2014 11:44:50 -0400

There was a football tournament played among Army commands in the Pacific while I was in Vietnam. The team chosen to represent USARV (US Army, Vietnam) would be rewarded with a few weeks out of country to play in the finals. It was easy to see the effect of that inducement in the level of intensity in qualifying rounds. I don't think that any side bets could have inspired the men to play any harder...

Response by SSgt Glenn Gilbert made Nov 21 at 2020 7:14 AM

SSgt Glenn Gilbert — Sat, 21 Nov 2020 07:14:47 -0500

I was a dependent back then and played every sport besides basketball. I loved the base we were stationed at for 17 years. My dad was a civil engineer for the Air Force and we were lucky we got to stay at Ramstein AFB for the whole time. I started Kindergarten through my senior year 1985 and stayed until I turned 21 and either had to leave or get dual American/ German citizenship and join the German military for 2 years. So I moved back to the US and 2 years later I joined the Air Force myself and served 4 years. Wish they would have stationed me back at Ramstein instead of Tucson AZ DMAFB.