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So here's a question sure to drive some opinions from all over. Two beers in a combat zone, should it be allowed or no? I know for me personally, and no I'm not an alcoholic, but after a long day at work or busy day doing stressful tasks, I enjoy coming home and cracking a cold one. When I was in Iraq in 08-09 we were allowed to have two beers at our little JSS while watching the Super Bowl. To me it was a nice chance to kick back and take a load off. My thinking is, with all the cases of PTSD coming up, what if we allowed that decompression each night (provided soldiers are not immediately going out on mission), would it potentially lower the stress levels of soldiers knowing no matter how bad the day is that at the end of it they can crack a cold one and chill out a bit? So, should it be allowed or not?
Posted in these groups: 
Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF)
Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF) - Afghanistan
Alcohol
PTSD
Deployment
Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF) Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF) - Afghanistan Alcohol PTSD Deployment
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 115
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SFC (Join to see) As has been stated, there's always someone to ruin it for the rest. Merchant Marines used to be able to have alcohol on our ships, right up until some asshole drove his tanker onto a reef in Alaska.
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I like the Idea of an Enlisted Club, NCO Club, and an Officer's Club. The bar is run by the respective members and overseen by commanders. My plan would have commanders set a policy on limits (I.E. Two Beers etc) and the drinks were consumed on the premises. You would have a place to socialize, unwind, and vent to your peers while deployed. Of course, this is at the commander's discretion. This might be a good thing back at a large base, but not a good idea at some tiny OP in the mountains.
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SN Greg Wright
SGT Brandon Phillips Erm, Sarge, isn't there already those clubs on bases? There was when I was in, just like you said: Enlisted, NCO, Ossifers.
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How do you know that just because your mission is over your opponent is not about to launch his. Do we now believe war is 9-5 mission to mission? What ever happened to 24/7 vigilance.? As an MP in Viet Nam I can assure you there were causalities when none were expected, after the mission was over. 2 beers does not seem like much but if it impairs you at all ask yourself......is it worth the risk? I have great respect and admiration of the young men and women who daily face this risk. Why dilute your abilities> You owe it to yourself and to your men to be at your best whenever needed, before, during and after the mission.
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I say no because I've been in over 10 years and have learned that there are some "creative" Soldiers out there, and if this is allowed I see it being abused. Combat zones are no place to be getting drunk.
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I do not think that drinking should be allowed in a combat zone. Not only are stress and emotional levels higher and everyone is armed but on COP and smaller FOBs there is the danger of being over run. Mortars are also common and if you are have been drink you may or may not react appropriately endangering your self and other. Is the need to have a drink that important to you?
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No, they have plenty of Non-Alcoholic brands to choose from, so you can have your beer without compromising the mission.
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Hell yes two beer limit per day, the only reason we had General Order #1, was because we had a religious individual giving orders based on religion and not based on soldiering. Religion is man made to control the masses.
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Of course they should be allowed. Just as long as the soldier isn't impaired. A beer or two never hurt anyone.
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My only experience with alcohol in a combat zone was Vietnam--it was delivered as a ration in most cases --even to some of the isolated forward support bases--beer rations and soda rations small --i was not a beer drinker, so i traded for sodas to other Marines,i never observed the beer consumption having an affect on the performance of any of the Marines,we were young but not stupid.No one wants to get intoxicated in combat.Freedom to chose? when actually defending that freedom,am i the only person that sees something wrong with that?
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It goes not belong. Only because some knucklehead will abuse the privilege and ruin it for all
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