Is it authorized to smoke in formation?

CPL Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 24 Sep 2020 09:36:21 -0400

Is there a regulation saying it is within a soldiers grounds to smoke at the back of formation if they are put at the position of rest?

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 24 at 2020 9:42 AM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 24 Sep 2020 09:42:59 -0400

US Army Policy is that smoking is allowed in designated smoking areas. Formation is not a designated area.

Response by CW4 Guy Butler made Sep 24 at 2020 9:54 AM

CW4 Guy Butler — Thu, 24 Sep 2020 09:54:59 -0400

Not anymore. It’s probably been 20 years.

Response by CMSgt James Nolan made Sep 24 at 2020 11:29 AM

CMSgt James Nolan — Thu, 24 Sep 2020 11:29:59 -0400

This is why we need to have a series of buttons:
Thumbs up
Thumbs down
Laughing
Laughing hysterically
Etc
Sorry but this one would get the laughing hysterically button.

You will get released from a formation in short order, and then can go smoke..

Response by SSG Robert Perrotto made Sep 24 at 2020 12:11 PM

SSG Robert Perrotto — Thu, 24 Sep 2020 12:11:55 -0400

depending upon the situation, yes, you can smoke when given the command rest. of course, common sense will dictate this. Obviously, if you are in formation indoors, then smoking is prohibited. Outdoors or open fields where there are no signs specifically prohibiting smoking, then smoke em if you got em. the way to get around this, is to have them fallout so the smokers CAN move to a more desirable place. believe or not, we smokers are considerate of others, to a point. Have I smoked when given the command rest, absolutely, but I must be honest, most times we were told to fallout in the area for a quick fall in command.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 24 at 2020 12:30 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 24 Sep 2020 12:30:41 -0400

A Solider?

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 24 at 2020 1:38 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 24 Sep 2020 13:38:55 -0400

I’m not sure if this a serious post or not, but I’ll answer anyway because I found it hilarious. Common sense and discretion will need to be used. Certain situations may allow it while others won’t.

Response by SGM Steve Wettstein made Sep 24 at 2020 5:05 PM

SGM Steve Wettstein — Thu, 24 Sep 2020 17:05:27 -0400

I put my company at Rest and let them smoke when we were waiting for a flight outa OIF V. My flight OIC and I also let everyone have two drinks when we had a layover in Germany.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 24 at 2020 5:29 PM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 24 Sep 2020 17:29:34 -0400

They way I understand it is you can as long as your at "rest"

Response by SFC James Cameron made Sep 24 at 2020 8:52 PM

SFC James Cameron — Thu, 24 Sep 2020 20:52:54 -0400

Looks like someone has been digging into FM 3-21.5.

Response by MSG John Duchesneau made Sep 26 at 2020 2:23 AM

MSG John Duchesneau — Sat, 26 Sep 2020 02:23:33 -0400

Older versions of FM 22-5 (I think its now FM 3.22-5 or something like that) said that soldiers at rest in formation could eat, talk or smoke. Bear in mind this was long before the Army became more interested in health and fitness about 20 years ago. I don't know what the current FM says.
The catch is that your commander, first sergeant or NCOIC can make their own policies as to when and where their soldiers can smoke. The bottom line is that there is no regulation which gives you the "right" to smoke.

Response by SPC Carmen H Ramirez made Oct 12 at 2020 11:38 PM

SPC Carmen H Ramirez — Mon, 12 Oct 2020 23:38:44 -0400

NO! Only when you are at rest, and the NCO says "smoke em if you got em."

Response by MAJ Ronnie Reams made Oct 14 at 2021 10:43 AM

MAJ Ronnie Reams — Thu, 14 Oct 2021 10:43:49 -0400

AFAIK, if the person in charge issues the command "Smokeun if you gotum", then you may, if no such command given, no.

Response by SMSgt Jd Reese made Mar 12 at 2024 1:17 PM

SMSgt Jd Reese — Tue, 12 Mar 2024 13:17:28 -0400

Military regs tend to be pretty strict about that, keeping discipline and uniformity in mind. Each unit might have its own specific rules, but generally, smoking is something done during breaks and in designated smoking areas, not while in formation, even at ease.

As for vaping, I switched to a Relx from https://relxth.com a while back since it's less intrusive, and I can step away without it being a whole production. Always best to check with your CO for the specific dos and don'ts in your unit, though.

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Response by MAJ Ronnie Reams made Mar 16 at 2024 10:10 AM

MAJ Ronnie Reams — Sat, 16 Mar 2024 10:10:41 -0400

As I recall, that would only be if the leader gives the command "Smok'um if you got'um".