Romanian soldiers vote in EU elections during Combined Resolve II

Photo By Spc. Tyler Kingsbury | Romanian soldiers of 2nd Battalion, replicating the opposition force, man an MLI-84M1 Infantry Fighting Vehicle and prepare to attack during exercise Combined Resolve II at the Joint Multinational Readiness Center in Hohenfels, Germany, May 17, 2014. Combined Resolve II is a multinational decisive action training environment exercise occurring at the Joint Multinational Training Command’s Hohenfels and Grafenwoehr Training Areas that involves more than 4,000 participants from 15 partner nations. The intent of the exercise is to train and prepare a U.S. led multinational brigade to interoperate with multiple partner nations and execute unified land operations against a complex threat while improving the combat readiness of all participants. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Tyler Kingsbury/Released)  

BW, GERMANY

05.25.2014

Story by Sgt. Eric Roberts 

131st Mobile Public Affairs Detachment

HOHENFELS, Germany - Before the sun had risen here, May 25, the Romanian army was stirring. This Sunday morning was a bit different from a regular morning during the Combined Resolve II exercise.

Combined Resolve II is a U.S. Army Europe-led, multi-national exercise at the Joint Multinational Training Command’s Hohenfels and Grafenwoehr Training Areas, May 15 - Jun. 30, 2014. The exercise includes more than 4,000 participants 15 NATO and partner countries, including a battalion of Romanian mechanized forces

After months of planning and coordination with U.S. Army exercise planners, the Romanian soldiers put down their uniforms and weapons, and boarded a bus as they traveled approximately 150 kilometers to Munich in order to participate in European Union Parliament elections.

Cpl. Marian Rusu, of the Romanian 300th Infantry Battalion, said he was touched by the effort by his superiors to allow them to vote.

“This means something to me, it means we count and they love us very much,” he said.

“This election is very important for our country,” said Sgt. 1st Class Nechitor Valentin, Romanian 300th Infantry Battalion. “Every person should express his vote, all people should vote.”

On the morning of the 25th, the soldiers played their part as they waited patiently outside the consulate for the chance to place their vote for the 32 seats that Romania holds in the European Union Parliament.

Valentin said that as soldiers the Romanian army was “here to train,” but the opportunity to vote was “very important.”

“It is awesome. It (Combined Resolve II) is a great opportunity to train with other countries,” said Valentin.

“I love very much my country,” he said.

For the Romanian soldiers, the short ride to the Romanian Consulate was just part of being a citizen of their country.

“It’s normal. We are normal Romanian people,” said Sgt. 1st Class Stan Cristian, Romanian 300th Infantry Battalion. “We all want a great life in Romania.”

For more information on Combined Resolve II, go to the official exercise website at www.eur.army.mil/jmtc/CombinedResolve or check out the exercise on social media by searching for #CombinedResolve or visiting the 7th Army Joint Multinational Training Command’s social media @7thArmyJMTC.

• Date Taken: 05.25.2014
• Date Posted: 05.27.2014 11:25
• Story ID: 131170
• Location: BW, DE