Need to Know: These New UCMJ Laws Start Jan. 1

Lt Col John (Jack) Christensen - One thing about the alcohol consumption levels being a lot less acceptable now many of the Open Messes also aren't what they used to be a barely worth going to and less operating hours. One result of that is driving troops off base to drink then with higher off base speed limits etc getting killed in fatal accidents or being arrest by the civilian Police. That is a side effect it seems the do good types never thought of. I'm not saying there shouldn't be a concern for excessive alcohol consumption ,there should be just pointing out another result of attitude change. I know at Hansom AFB, MA the club could be walked to from the Airman barracks. I still had a membership in the club at Hanscom but dropped it as it was no longer worth the money for dues and with less hours not available as much and no longer a great Restaurant which i used to go to. I don't drink much now anyway but once in a while have one or two at the American Legion or AMVETS post or with a meal elsewhere sometimes.

Mentioning SAC base, I stated with SAC at Whitmen AFB MO and I can remember a Captain in our unit bringing and sharing a bottle of moonshine He brought with Him to a Squadron party. There were also when at Lowry AFB, CO the Commander and unit Officers throwing a beer party for the members of the unit which they paid for and provided a keg of beer.

SMSgt Lawrence McCarter Agree with the comment about the do good types. I haven't belonged to a club since I retired even though MacDill used to have very good ones after I retired. Then they started consolidating enlisted clubs, as as you point out, cutting back hours and you could visually see the impact through empty park I g lots on weekends. I virtually never go out just to drink anymore, glass of wine or two with meals and that's it.

Lt Col John (Jack) Christensen - Same at Hanscom, the NCO club was always mobbed and another whole separate building for the NCO club stag Bar, was also always full, the Officers club was always busy, now its a Consolidated Open Mess. there is a separate lounge for Officers and NCO but neither compares to what had been there. Near Me also ht eUS Army Natick labs used to have separate clubs as well now its one club again with limited hours. Both Clubs, Hanscom AFB and Army Natick labs, are still good for functions but beyond that just not the same.

SMSgt Lawrence McCarter Sometimes progress isn't I guess.