My country has been a liminal space between the European West and Russian East for a millennium. A century ago we began a tightrope walk across the chasm of west v east... but the thing is, they're 100 times your size, so you'd better not moon the other side on your way across. This rope is now crossed and cut. I have a dubious honor of being the last conscript who witnessed the fall of neutrality in operative work.

I won't disclose times, names, places, or doctrinal details. If I do for narrative's sake, it's been changed. Здесь нет ничего для тебя. But let's say at the time, every now and then the newspaper had a story about a selfie from a Russian regular's VK page, that'd been geolocated to a Donbass town - even though Russia denied any involvement in the war. My unit was smoothing their berets and Marie Kondo'ing their lockers for leave inspection, when a senior NCO exploded through the main doors and summoned the squad leaders. "Lomat palo. Ditch the berets and tell their girlfriends to find a cucumber. Every dude in the classroom for LT Reacher in 10, duty uniform M05."

The American Army was coming to Finland for the first time in history, for a joint exercise. War machine would be here in some weeks time and we'd be their babysitters until they were done tilling our exercise grounds. Till then, all leave was cancelled and scheduled program had been replaced with mission specific training, beginning immediately.

It was a warm spring day when the Americans came. And they brought a shipload of bells and whistles with them. We'd guard every windshield wiper, reflective belt, and spent shell until each and every one were packed back on the ship they came here in. It wasn't really advertised, but everyone knew why they were invited, and why they accepted. Surely the Neighbor wouldn't mind the timing.

It didn't take long before chatter calling for someone to translate Russian came through the radio. Someone loitering near an area Americana would be at later, close to a railroad bridge. I was nearby but got their exchange second hand.The gentleman was a trainspotter, favorite pastime of Kaliningrad Oblast, he told us. Whatever you say, man, but this railroad ain't in regular use.Did we cart off an innocent train enthusiast in the end? Fuck me, maybe. Just like the tourists who just wanna admire the garrison's architecture ("You see soldat, it is shiningk example of postbrutalism"). Great mysteries of life.

Part deux

I have some funny anecdotes to share from the Yankee gig, but we'll be moving on to my next sentry post. The czar president of the Russian Federation had embarked on a state visit to my land, which would become his last. Timing - surely coincidental. Only weeks earlier had we been the loyal sentries, hosts, for the mortal enemy and idea of Satan incarnate for the man we'd be protecting now. Not out of respect for the czar but for doctrine, I will not provide details.

He was late. He always is. I guess it's a power play. The schedule is all he can control on foreign soil, so he makes them wait. We, however, couldn't be. His tardyness was well known, so we had stocked up on snacks and MREs.

This whole operation caused great disturbance to civilian life. Angry geezers were barely held in check. Only once did someone try to get past me. A middle eastern-ish muslim woman, pushing a stroller. Twice I commanded in Finnish, which she apparently did not understand. The languages in which I could make my wish known were Swedish, French, Russian and English. English she understood. The baby was crying at this point, onlookers were horrified, cell phones were going up. The angry Finnish yelling from a uniform equipped for violence had already gotten her to lock up and stagger back, as I tried to explain the situation in Rally English. Not a great first impression of the FDF, I reckon.

Finally, the Neighbor showed up. Putin's motorcade was pretty flashy to see up close. What with sports cars and motorbikes and all (scuttlebutt had it the bikes were driven by hot ninja chicks). The whole spectacle gave me the "insecure middle schooler" impression, to be honest. Pros don't boast, methinks. Who is more impressing, the Russian in his polished BMW, or the Yankee with a clipboard in an ordnance forklift.

I trust Americans in our exercises will become a more frequent sight, while the czar doubtfully will swap the safety of his bunker for the protection of the henchmen of the "Satanistic Atlantic Alliance" ever again. Personally I'm happy with this development, to see the tightrope cut once and for all; it's nicer here on solid ground.I guess many Americans aren't too excited about european countries joining NATO, but I assure we're far from defenceless and will hold our own as always. Me, I'm just happy to be a part of the deterrence against violating free democracies, so that my country's history, or Ukraine's in 2014, doesn't happen again.

Now if you'll excuse me, I'll be pouring a local brew on the sauna kiuas, for not being alone and for the sacrifice of Ukraine which enabled it. I might send my personal equipment to UA and settle on general reservist issue for a little while.

The anecdote of Russian trainspotters is part of a story I posted under my main reddit handle some years ago, which I took down as the user has since become easily identifiable/doxable. Mods, let me know if you want proof I own that account/story and I'll message ya.