No Gambling between officer/enlisted. Have you ever participated in a sports bracket?

SSG Robert Burns — Fri, 29 Nov 2013 14:59:26 -0500

We all know it's illegal for officers to gamble with enlisted.  We also all know that this happens every day whether it's march madness, NFL weekly, baseball, whatever.<div>Is this an outdated rule that needs to be rebooked at or is this really merited?  Does anyone have any horror stories?  Or is this something that can be used to build morale and a little trash talk?</div>

Response by SGM Matthew Quick made Nov 29 at 2013 3:35 PM

SGM Matthew Quick — Fri, 29 Nov 2013 15:35:15 -0500

'Trash talking' can get out of hand and careers can be impacted.<br><br>There is not good coming from enlisted and officers playing fantasy football or office pools...stick with enlisted vs enlisted and officers vs officers; not sure what our warrnts will do.  ;)

Response by CMC Robert Young made Nov 29 at 2013 3:47 PM

CMC Robert Young — Fri, 29 Nov 2013 15:47:39 -0500

Anything that blurs the lines between the O corps and the enlisted workforce has the potential to wreck careers in both worlds. Such activity creates an environment of undue familiarity which is contrary to the good order and discipline of the unit. Bad idea.

Response by SSG Robert Burns made Nov 29 at 2013 7:50 PM

SSG Robert Burns — Fri, 29 Nov 2013 19:50:48 -0500

But the officers are the ones with all the money! I feel like I should be the one taking it! ;-)

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 30 at 2013 10:44 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 30 Nov 2013 10:44:04 -0500

I like what Dick Winters had to say about gambling between officers and enlisted men.

"Never put yourself in a position to take from these men, ever"

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 30 at 2013 9:28 PM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 30 Nov 2013 21:28:46 -0500

<div>I'll throw in the dissenting opinion. First, you all are absolutely right regarding the potential for this to get out of hand, and it is incumbent upon us as leaders to maintain good order and discipline, and to recognize the "danger signs". Just like so many other things of this nature, it cannot and should not happen unless everyone can handle the situation, officers and enlisted alike (Privilege vs Right doesn't sound right, but you get the picture).</div><div><br></div>That being said, there is something to be said with participating in group activities, whether it is the unit sports event, brackets, or the battalion raffle. However, I would never willingly put myself in a position to take from my Soldiers (or any Soldier for that matter).<div><br></div><div>My answer for stuff like that is to throw back into the pot... so if I ever win, it just inflates the kitty for the next guy to win more money, or the unit fund to do that much more, whether it is supporting a Soldier in need, hosting a nicer event, or buying that much more coffee creamer.</div><div><br></div><div>Remember, morale is absolutely a force multiplier.</div>

Response by SSG Robert Burns made Apr 15 at 2014 8:06 PM

SSG Robert Burns — Tue, 15 Apr 2014 20:06:20 -0400

You answered you own question. No you cannot. What you can do is play poker but not for money.

Response by PO1 Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 19 at 2014 7:34 PM

PO1 Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 19 Oct 2014 19:34:17 -0400

Whoa! How's an enlisted man supposed to make ends meet? On his meager military salary? PULEEZE

Response by LTC Joseph Gross made Oct 20 at 2014 11:17 AM

LTC Joseph Gross — Mon, 20 Oct 2014 11:17:20 -0400

Because it is generally a paltry, meaningless sum that hurts no one and builds morale. It gives people skin in the game when you talk football.

Response by SSG William Patton made Oct 20 at 2014 11:24 AM

SSG William Patton — Mon, 20 Oct 2014 11:24:34 -0400

Pools for football games, while illegal in most venues, is part of our society today. Prior to the Super Bowl you will see board ranging from a dollar a square to much, much more depending on the business. I know where I worked we had a Super Bowl pool with squares going for $2 per square and my wife's work had one for $5 per square. She is much luckier than I am and has won several times. Our society has accepted gambling as a form of recreation. We have two lotteries that are in most states and many states have an individual lottery. Others have casino gambling either by statute or in the form of American Indians running casinos. There is a big down side to gambling. Casinos stay in business because odds favor the house and many people go away losers. Problems arise when that person has a gambling addiction and loses more than they can afford. I have seen people outside casinos in my community crying because they lost the family's paycheck and now do not have the money to feed their kids. I have no problem with gambling as long as it is in moderation, the same as other potential addictions. When it becomes and obsession, then it is a problem.

Response by PO1 Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 20 at 2014 1:30 PM

PO1 Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 20 Oct 2014 13:30:22 -0400

I will confess to have "fleeced" a few self-important officers in my time. During many a spades tournament onboard ship my partner and I have won many, many final prizes and thus we (and our ladies) have enjoyed many, many days on leave or liberty on those winnings. With all that being said - I don't know that playing poker with officers is a good idea. First of all, it's against the rules, unless you're actually playing for matchsticks or braggin' rights. Secondly, Officers are rarely graceful losers. I've actually had to throw one or more poker hand in order to let the officer get his "saddle" back (read: his car's pink slip) like we used to do when we played poker on the ranch. At one time, I owned the entire wardroom's collection of naval officers swords and scabbards of a yet to be named vessel (names and dates redacted in order to keep from embarassing said wardroom) due to a friendly game of poker. Too bad e-bay didn't exist in those days...lol.

In reality, it's far better to play a truely friendly game, with no money at stake. It keeps NCIS from your doorstep....not that I know anything about such things of course.

Response by COL Jean (John) F. B. made Oct 20 at 2014 5:32 PM

COL Jean (John) F. B. — Mon, 20 Oct 2014 17:32:56 -0400

Slippery slope... This is akin to "just put the tip in to see how it feels". The best advice is to not go there at all. Remember the UCMJ element of proof for rape "Penetration, however slight, is sufficient to commit this offense".

Once you cross that line, a new line will be established to be crossed. Can you gamble if it just for $5.00? How about $10.00? How about only on Wednesday night when there is a full moon?

Response by CW3 Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 27 at 2020 12:02 PM

CW3 Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 27 Apr 2020 12:02:09 -0400

Interesting question

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 27 at 2020 1:02 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 27 Apr 2020 13:02:03 -0400

I've never done a sports bracket for money with troops

Response by Cadet CPL Private RallyPoint Member made May 12 at 2020 4:57 AM

Cadet CPL Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 12 May 2020 04:57:34 -0400

I think it needs to be changed. All people always want entertainment, regardless of their activities. If it is still difficult to find a way out, then in any case you can play online gambling: https://casinotop.at/10-euro-casino/. Considering the fact that there is always a chance to play with a minimum deposit.

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