Arnold Schwarzenegger faced poverty while growing up in Austria. At 18, Schwarzenegger joined the Austrian army. However, young Schwarzenegger’s passion was bodybuilding, and in 1968, the Mr. Universe winner moved to America to fulfill his dream. Over the following decades, Schwarzenegger graduated from college, won the Mr. Olympia title seven times, and became a Hollywood star. When he had the means, Schwarzenegger arranged to buy back something from the Austrian army.

While appearing on The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon in 2014, Fallon asked Arnold about his tank. The confused talk show host asked the Hollywood superstar how he got hold of a tank. The bodybuilding icon obliged and explained how he got the tank he drove when he was 18. 

It was surprisingly easy for Arnold Schwarzenegger 

Arnold Schwarzenegger revealed he didn’t have to put much effort into getting the armored vehicle from Austria. The bodybuilding icon said the tank he drove was a “Patton tank that America gave Austria after it became a neutral country, after 1955.” When Arnie was a tank driver, the Austrians had 500 Patton tanks. However, when he learned the tank turned obsolete, he wanted to get his hands on the one he drove.

Luckily, the seven-time Mr. Olympia presided over the President’s Council on Sports, Fitness, and Nutrition. “I knew very well, Dick Cheney and Colin Powell, and those guys,” Schwarzenegger told Jimmy Fallon. So when he requested to bring the tank from Austria to America, the Pentagon permitted him.

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The former Mr. Olympia also didn’t face any issues getting permission from the Austrian army. “I had to pay $20,000. (to the Austrian army)” Schwarzenegger told Fallon. The former politician also recalled making mistakes and getting into trouble while learning to drive the tank at 18. 

Not just a piece of military history

The tank the bodybuilding champion drove during his days in the army is more than a testament to the military relationship between Austria and the United States. The Terminator actor uses the tank for a noble cause, raising funds for charity. During their conversation, Schwarzenegger spoke about his work on developing after-school programs for children in the United States.

The seven-time Mr. Olympia uniquely used his tank during fundraisers. Schwarzenegger drove the massive tank over various objects like other vehicles, crushing them. Thus the Governator turned a gas-guzzling armored vehicle into a tool for helping underprivileged children across the country.

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What did you think about The Terminator actor’s story of acquiring the tank he drove during his days of service in the Austrian army? Write your thoughts in the comments.