Defenders or Intruders? : The Dilemmas of U.S. Forces in Germany

Following Dr. Nelson's A History of U.S. Military Forces in Germany; this book examines contemporary socioeconomic problems created by the stationing of U.S. troops in West Germany (FRG). The issues are magnified by the FRG's strategic importance to the United States, the large number of U.S. troops stationed in the FRG, and the length of time they have remained there. Dr. Nelson assesses the strategic relationship of the two countries against the backdrop of the FRG's security dependency, which adds a unique psychological dimension to the relationship and has created severe strains in the alliance. Dr. Nelson analyzes the sociological dynamics of the military relationship, clarifying their effect on the political and diplomatic relationship between the two nations. His focal point is the morale of U.S. troops stationed in West Germany, which he studies in relation to military readiness and the acceptability of U.S. forces in German society. The study of morale leads, in turn, to an investigation of some fundamental aspects of the all-volunteer force, which since 1973 has supplied the majority of U.S. military personnel. The book concludes by offering policy recommendations for maintaining West Germany's acceptance of U.S. forces and, thus, preserving the integrity of the military alliance between the United States and the FRG. Cover Half Title Title Copyright Dedication Contents List of Figures and Tables Preface Acronyms Introduction: The FRG-U.S. Security Relationship 1 The Structure of NATO and U.S. Forces in Europe The Structure of NATO U.S. Forces in Europe Notes 2 The Demographic Composition of U.S. Forces in West Germany Armed Service Grade Marital Status Gender Years of Service Level of Education Armed Forces Qualification Test Age Home of Record by State Region Ethnic and Racial Origin Summary of Force Demography Notes 3 U.S. Forces and West German Public Opinion General Impressions of the United States and the Soviet Union Threat Perception Alliance Relationships U.S. Troops in West Germany Reflections on West German Public Opinion Notes 4 The Nexus of Morale Factors 5 Alcohol and Drug Abuse Dimensions of the Drug Abuse Problem Historical Background of Drug Abuse in West Germany The East German Drug Connection Drug Abuse in the 1980s The Alcohol Problem Treatment and Control Efforts Notes 6 Crime and Indiscipline Patterns in the 1970s The Black Market Problems Crime Increase in the Late 1970s and the 1980s Crime Among Blacks in the Military The Problem of Military Authority Crime and West German Perceptions Notes 7 Race Relations Survey Data on Race Relations Racial Mixing Off Duty Racial Epithets and Name Calling Programs to Improve Race Relations Equal Opportunity West German Perceptions Notes 8 Discrimination Varieties of Discrimination Nature of the Discrimination Problem The Causes of Discrimination Sociological Distance Efforts to Combat Discrimination Is West Germany a Racist Society? Notes 9 Terrorism A History of Terrorist Attacks in West Germany Terrorist Goals The Effect of Terrorism on Military Families Positive Effects on Morale Terrorism and the U.S. Media Conclusion Notes 10 Poverty Problems and Outmoded Facilities The Decline of the Dollar Media Coverage The Effects of Poverty Deterioration of Military Facilities Combined Effects of Poverty and Deterioration on Morale Psychological Estrangement West German Initiatives The Partial Recovery of the Dollar Notes 11 Reflections and Conclusions on Morale Factors The Six Key Factors: A Review The Cumulative Effect: Psychological Distance The Question of Responsibility Reasons for Optimism Preventing Further Crises: Continuing Precautions Notes 12 The West Germans and the All-Volunteer Force Public Opinion Data West German Press Coverage Demography of U.S. Forces: Women and Blacks Conscription vs. Volunteer Forces Impressions from Interviews The AVF: Can Confidence Be Restored? Notes 13 U.S. Forces and West German Security Soviet Intentions and Finlandization European Contributions to NATO Defense The Futility of Withdrawal Threats Policy Implications Notes References-English Language References-German Language Index