Army & Germany Last Updated: May 03, 2007 I lived in Augsburg Germany between 1988 - 94, with only a four month break in 1991/92 when I was "vacationing" at my sister's in Dallas, Texas. On this page are some of my experiences while in Germany where I was a soldier in the US Army, a DJ in the Sheridan & Flak Kaserne NCO clubs as well as a civilian.
Germany in Winter. A beautiful and unforgettable landscape. My job in the Army was 84 Bravo which is a 'Still Photographic Specialist'. I worked at Gablingen...I think that's how they spell it. It was an amazing time. I worked in the TASC department.
I took all kinds of photos like... German/American emergency exercises...
and so much more. It was an amazing time that no civilian job could even touch in the experiences granted and learned. In 1990, I was honorably discharged and got authorization to get a "European Out" which meant I could remain in Germany as a civilian. Once I was a normal non-military resident, I worked as THE Photo Lab Manager and only Photographer of the Military Community Photo Lab which was a great honor and opportunity. It was my duty to set up photo appointments for soldiers and their dependents, shoot all sessions in the studio, develop all the negatives as well as print up all the pictures in the darkroom. It was a FULL time job, but one I did with passion. I also was responsible for developing and printing any work related film that soldiers shot and even went on location to shoot award ceremonies, functions, parades and other public relation jobs. Now, you have to remember that this was PRE-digital camera and Photoshop so the finished product took longer to complete, especially considering many of the full length studio portraits I took of the sharply dressed soldiers were to be included in their file for review by an Army board of Officers for possible promotion in rank. The pictures as well as the soldiers stance and uniform had to be PERFECT so attention to detail was a key factor. Even though my lab was equipped with older and outdated equipment, I still produced excellent results of which I'm very proud. After coming back to Germany in 1992 from my vacation in Texas, I moved on to the civilian sector due to military downsizing and the closing of the Photo Lab. I had planned on moving to Hollywood instead of back to Germany but decided on Deutschland mainly because of a romance I was trying to recapture with a beautiful long time girlfriend (it didn't work and turned into a friendship that lasts to this day). I also wanted to get some more money under my belt before making the move to Hollywood (I had spent most while in Texas). I wasn't ready financially or emotionally to pursue my goals in the entertainment industry plus I was lovesick on top of it all, so I stayed in Augsburg where I worked as a Lab Tech for a German Medical Laboratory. I got the full time gig through my long time friend Elizabeth, whose sister worked there. Working in the German system opened my eyes to the beauty of their way of doing things. Compared to the American way of life, it was like night and day. For one thing, as a worker and resident in the country, you automatically get FULL medical and dental benefits (even if you're on a work visa). Also, after you've worked for your company for 3 to 6 months, you get 30 days PAID vacation added to take all at once or a little bit at a time (depending on your employer's needs of course). One of the most incredible benefits to working in Germany is with the Banking Institutions. With a normal checking account, once you've been at your job for a few pay periods and checks, the bank will let you go in MINUS with your checking account up to 2 or 3 times your monthly salary. That is unheard of in America but to me it's brilliant. The bank does charge an interest fee for being in minus but it's reasonable and not as high as most American credit card interest rates. Also, where American banks will charge an overdraft fee, the German ones do not. If you reach your MINUS limit, they'll just prevent you from taking out any more and notify you. Even though it's a great luxury, it can be a dangerous temptation (not unlike credit cards) but to me, it was great to have the opportunity to get more money without being charged (like US banks do) outrageous fees for being in the minus. Lastly, getting financial loans at German banks was also much easier than in America. Whether for a vacation, car, or whatever, a helping hand from the bank was never an impossibility. As long as you were employed awhile (like I was), financial help was there when needed. I could go on about other things, but you get the idea. I also continued to DJ, this time for the local bar 'Our Place' (OP's) and restaurant/bar 'Bavarian Lion' (BL) both of which were owned by Elmar Lochbrunner, a good friend and savvy businessman. I remained at the Medical Lab and DJed until I left for America in 1994. Those 6 years were full of adventure, growth and incredible times. The first life changing experience relating to Germany was the day I left Kentucky, my family and a really nice girl behind to fly to Europe. It was a full day in which my parents reunited because of me leaving the country and I said goodbye to a girl that was very special to me. Both turned out like scenes from a movie, but then, I've always thought what happens in the movies can happen in real life if all people involved are just willing to take a chance and believe.
Deutschland Concert Experiences Greta, Josef & Marlene: A Love Triangle
Only a rebel or someone with an artistic nature could get away with decorating their US Army room like this. One of the big perks for being stationed overseas in Germany was the extreme laxness in how my superiors let us decorate our rooms. Normally, the above would be extremely unacceptable, but once again I got away with pushing the boundaries. They probably figured that since I was an Army Still Photographer that I had artistic sensibilities that needed an extra outlet for expression. Who knows. All I can say is that in this age of seriousness and playing by the book, it was nice and unexpected.
"Army Brat" - A Series
"Self Portrait in Cool Effect"
Portrait taken in a field somewhere in Germany while on a 30 day mission/exercise with an Augsburg Battalion. I was the official photographer for the month long mission.
Non-commissioned Officer course in Augsburg - My Graduating Class. I'm directly in the middle, back row. It was a demanding and incredibly rewarding experience.
Still Photography class portrait @ Lowry - Denver.
My 1st car...an orange Volkswagon beetle. Bought from great friend Sgt. Mark Cunningham in Augsburg. Photo was taken near the skating rink on Reese Kaserne.
Below Still Photography was taken in and around the beautiful city of Augsburg Germany in Baveria.
"Reflections in Royalty" A gorgeous and rustic castle by a lake near downtown.
"Waterfront Royalty"
"Gothic Romance"
"Cultural Churchscape"
"Augsburg Rathaus"
"Italian Paradise" This amazing photo was taken using a friend's large format camera. I asked to use it for ONE shot and this is what I captured. What you don't see is a small rustic church to the right of the frame, right in the middle of the field. What a beauty of a place this would be to get married. Regrettably, I've forgotten what part of Northern Italy this locale is.
"Gothic Silhouettes" This location is right near Konigsplatz in Augsburg. To the left of this shot used to be a club called "Inbase"...a gothic, dark wave and alternative club.
"Commander In Chief"
"Sk8r Boiz"
"Symmetry in the Round" This is the front of the Augsburg Theatre. Great place. Unfortunately, I never got around to seeing a production there.
"Architectural Gothic Beauty" Right in the middle of Munich, Germany.
"King Ludwig's Fountain"
"Warm Fountainette"
"Cherub and Protector"
"Musical Charity"
"Flute Culture"
"Waiting for Godot"
"Crucified Sorrow"
An amazingly lifelike sculpture of Jesus at a church near Sheridan Kaserne in Augsburg.
"CLUB FLYERS" Below are the many flyers I designed, duplicated & distributed throughout three Army Kasernes/Bases (Flak, Sheridan & Reese). The Christmas flyer is a rough demo. The others are finished and give an idea what kind of musical theme I was aiming for. My self-funded designs, while simple, were extremely effective and brought many people to my nights. It wasn't all easy street. I played a lot of music by artists that many of the other DJs either didn't like, have or think people wanted to hear. I didn't want to play the same radio hits that the others wore into the ground. For me, my nights were about originality, remaining loyal to other artists radio was in the process of "kicking to the curb". So, I pushed the limits which in turn inspired club goers. During my sets, I took them on a musical journey that I kept new and fresh every time. While many of the artists were the same, the songs & music videos played changed every time. When it came to DJing, I used more than the normal two turntables. I also DJed using CDs, videos, laserdiscs, and cassettes.
Article & flyer which ran in the Augsburg Germany newspaper spotlighting my DJ Residency at local restaurant/bar, the BL/Bayerischen Lowen (Bavarian Lion). The article and flyer was distributed throughout the city and newspaper which was successful in bringing attracting a lot of new customers. My DJ mix of regular record/CD spinning & music videos provided great entertainment!
My diploma/certificate for completion of Still Photography School in Denver, Colorado. I learned all things color, b&w, slide, & large format films as well as shooting, developing, printing and technical sides.
My Certificate of Achievement for documenting a 30 day field exercise using still photography.
My Certificate of Achievement for illustration where I painted a display honoring 'Hispanic Heritage'.
For my work as a Still Photographer in the Army.
My 4 week non-commisioned Officer course Certificate.
My Still Photographic Specialist Certificate.
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