Can a commander restrict soldiers from purchasing energy drinks during AT?

2016-08-07T18:01:49-04:00

I have a friend in the NJ Army National Guard who's on AT right now, and just got a message from higher saying the BC and CSM have decreed that no Soldiers are allowed to purchase or consume energy drinks (Monster, Red Bull, etc....) for the remainder of AT.

Can they do this, absent any wrongdoing on the part of an individual Soldier? These things are legal beverages, and coffee's a stimulant too......

Response by TSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 7 at 2016 6:24 PM

2016-08-07T18:24:32-04:00

the only thing that's illegal to take away is excess amounts of sleep, food, and water. alcohol is also legal, but commanders limit its consumption all the time.

Response by CAPT Kevin B. made Aug 7 at 2016 6:28 PM

2016-08-07T18:28:22-04:00

Short answer is yes. It's a legal order. Now the consequences of enforcing, morale, etc. will come along with it along with the responsibility for the results. BTW your comments on the second paragraph are irrelevant to the argument. Lots of things are restricted to MILs that are sold in town system wide. Spice, glass pipes, etc.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 7 at 2016 6:43 PM

2016-08-07T18:43:02-04:00

It isn't illegal, unethical, or immoral. Smells like a lawful, albeit unpopular, order. I suspect it was a risk management decision, for good reason.

Response by PO1 John Miller made Aug 8 at 2016 1:49 AM

2016-08-08T01:49:37-04:00

Yep, they sure can do it. Though honestly I'm not sure how they're going to enforce it! Do you know where these Soldiers are staying while on AT? No need to break OPSEC, all I'm asking is, are they staying in barracks, hotel out in town, etc.? If staying in the barracks, their rooms can definitely be inspected to look for evidence of energy drinks. If they're staying in hotels, it would be pretty much impossible to inspect that kind of room.

Response by SGM Erik Marquez made Aug 8 at 2016 2:18 AM

2016-08-08T02:18:31-04:00

The first thing that comes to mind is, "Never give an order you know will not be obeyed" The second things is, "Never give an order if your not going to follow though"
So can the commander ? Sure they can.
Should they? likley no.

Response by SGT Dave Tracy made Aug 8 at 2016 9:48 AM

2016-08-08T09:48:48-04:00

Yes. I haven't had it happen on AT but when I was Active Duty and we would head out to the desert for X number of weeks, we were sometimes told not to bring such drinks. The caffeine being a dietetic and in such high amounts, was the stated reason.