The legend of the Ram, or goat or ‘Bock’ is old and amusing. The legend as presented in Major John L. Harrell (RET.)’s book on regimental steins goes something like this:

In the stables of some regiments, a ram was kept because of its strong unpleasant odor. The odor was strong enough to keep a soldier on guard duty from slipping into the stables for a quick snooze between checks of the guard posts.

With this preamble it seems evident that some soldiers would go to any length to discourage a ‘clinging’ female and some females would got to any lengths, including enduring the stench of the goat, to hold on to their soldier lover.

So, true or not, “that’s my story and I’m sticking to it”…