For the fourth time, a delegation from U.S. Army Garrison Ansbach visited the language school "Sprachenzentrum Süd" in Ellwangen; led by Capt. Christopher Meserve, commander of the Headquarters and Headquarters Detachment, five Soldiers stood in front of the assem-bled classes to answer questions. Topics discussed included education, career and missions, but also the balancing act between family and duty. Patiently the guests answered all ques-tions; some answers displayed the importance of intercultural competence.

The seminar participants already had a chance to get to know their guests during an informal meet and greet the night before. Their communication skills were thoroughly tested during ping-pong and foosball games and while consuming Mexican beer and Italian pizza.

The visits from Ansbach are based on a long-term partnership between the Transportbataillon 465 stationed in Ellwangen and the USAG Ansbach. The Bundeswehr transport battalion will be deactivated by the end of March due to internal restructuring. This was one of the reasons why the relations between USAG Ansbach and the language school needed to be further en-hanced and intensified.

A visit of seminar participants at USAG Ansbach and Transportbataillon 465 und USAG Ansbach had already taken place in November 2013, more follow-up visits are planned.

In the end, all participants of the German-American exchange agreed on one thing: "It was freakin' awesome."