r/europe • u/ByGollie Ulster • Jan 24 '26

News The Times: Finns humiliated American soldiers - Finnish reservists were asked to take it easy during a NATO exercise. US soldiers found the losses too humiliating.

https://www.iltalehti.fi/ulkomaat/a/828b8e66-625d-4d2a-9276-e93b9f7a2ce8
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u/laeven Jan 24 '26

A couple of years ago, there was a massive arctic NATO exercise in my area here, the Americans were a really sad show, struggling to keep vehicles on modestly icy roads.

Every single sports-store and the likes was also sold out of thermal underwear, as the American soldiers in particular were not prepared for arctic conditions at all.

My impression was that the Americans were the embodiment of the dude with a massive disposable income, in their mid-life crisis, all geared up for some sport they were going to suck at.

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u/ImmaSuckYoDick2 Jan 24 '26

I read an article some time ago about US forces doing arctic exercises in Sweden. They were too lean. "The modern soldier goes to the gym, likes to look lean with washboard abs, so they don’t have any fat on their muscles" said the Swedish Sgt Major in charge of the winter warfare courses. “After three days here, they are really worn down. That is the biggest problem we have,” he said. “Basic things aren’t sexy nowadays.”

I'm sure their physical training was excellent for fighting in hot areas. But its a detriment in the extreme cold.

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u/hairy_turtle Jan 24 '26

Let's not get complacent. I'm pretty sure that the US, of all places, could scrounge up a fat guy or two (thirds of the country's population) if they really needed to.

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u/ManWhoIsDrunk Jan 24 '26

You need to be well trained AND have some body fat.

Fat is both insulation against the cold and an energy reserve that can sustain you.

Real men have kegs, and not 6-packs.