SOFA

[Salty]

In another thread:

I can believe your post. Outside the compound you are in their country and their laws, rules and customs apply.

And Crabby is absolutely correct about this.

As far as the title of this thread - it is an acronym for Status of Forces Agreement
As stated in the reference thread - GI's are not permitted IAW with SOFA to take Christmas cards, ect off post.

So here is my question - Is the US Government too lax in allowing such strict standards for military personel in those counties?

Open for discussion

 

[InTheLight]

In another thread:

And Crabby is absolutely correct about this.

As far as the title of this thread - it is an acronym for Status of Forces Agreement
As stated in the reference thread - GI's are not permitted IAW with SOFA to take Christmas cards, ect off post.

So here is my question - Is the US Government too lax in allowing such strict standards for military personel in those counties?

Open for discussion

If the nation allowing us to have bases in their country stipulate the conditions I don't see what the US Government has to say about it.

 

[Salty]

If the nation allowing us to have bases in their country stipulate the conditions I don't see what the US Government has to say about it.

We are in those countries to assist them - thus they should give us some leeway.
If we were occupying a country - then there is no need for SOFA.

For example - in Germany - we are not require to obtain a German drivers license - (which is very expensive) SOFA allows us to have a USAEUR license - with all tests in English.
This is a very reasonable compromise.

 

[InTheLight]

We are in those countries to assist them - thus they should give us some leeway.
If we were occupying a country - then there is no need for SOFA.

For example - in Germany - we are not require to obtain a German drivers license - (which is very expensive) SOFA allows us to have a USAEUR license - with all tests in English.
This is a very reasonable compromise.

Maybe Trump should make it an election issue. "I'll renegotiate those lousy military base treaties so people can carry their Christmas cards off the military base and into civilian areas. Make America Great Again!"

 

[Salty]

Maybe Trump should make it an election issue. "I'll renegotiate those lousy military base treaties so people can carry their Christmas cards off the military base and into civilian areas. Make America Great Again!"

In general - I would agree that we should renegotiate some of that Sofas - and not only for the cards....

when I get time- I will see if I can find a copy of that sofa - unless someone else can find it first

 

[InTheLight]

In general - I would agree that we should renegotiate some of that Sofas - and not only for the cards....

I seriously doubt a country like Saudi Arabia, who strenuously object to our presence on their soil, will renegotiate and allow us to practice our religion outside of our military bases. Having western forces on Saudi Arabian soil was one of the points that Osama bin Laden listed as a point of war with the West. I don't see them relenting on the free exercise of religion on their soil.

 

[Salty]

Depends on who the negotiator is

 

[InTheLight]

Depends on who the negotiator is

Any successful negotiation requires one party wanting or needing what the other party is offering. What, exactly, does Saudi Arabia need from us?

 

[Rob_BW]

Any successful negotiation requires one party wanting or needing what the other party is offering. What, exactly, does Saudi Arabia need from us?

Defense. Their pilots, fixed wing and rotary, are all trained at US or British schools, as are many of their other officers. Almost their entire maintenance program is run by foreign contractors. Plus, they rely on the latest American equipment that oil money can buy, which we don't technically have to sell them.