Possible Military Tobacco BAN

[golfermd]

Thanks for your response. The last Democratic administration thought that the military was their personal social lab. So this is just a continuation of it with an 8 year lapse. I doubt it will ever really get off the ground. Too many congressman and senators have military districts (read that as votes). Also, there already is some very serious dissention within their ranks that will do nothing but get worse as the country begins to realize the ramifications of things like this. Do we really want to be preaching to a kid with a back pack, etc, standing in 110 degree heat with mortars, RPG's and rifle shot coming at him/her? Leave this kids alone. Let them enjoy what personal liberties and freedoms they have.

[MrRogers]

Tough call. I'd never want to see anyone deprived of their right to enjoy pipes or cigars, but honestly guys, if this initiative caused many cigarette smokers to quit, I'd have to be all for it. Seen to many family members deal with cancer from friggin cigarettes.

MrR

[Acesfull]

For those who think it is crazy think again... the democratic administration of Governor Ted Strickland of Ohio found it wise to BAN ALCOHOL on all state funded military installations... yeah... we cannot after a drill weekend hang out together on our base patio and have a few beers anymore and enjoy the comradery we once had. Now everyone just splits and says see ya next month..... This totally killed celebration plans for our unit's 60th anny plans this September as well.. yeah we are adults who have to be treated like children but we are trusted to protect our nation's sovereignty and carry weapons and be responsible with them.... i dont get it.

[Dgar]

Lets see, these young men have volunteered to put put there lives in harms way to protect our freedoms. while theres could be taken away.. Lets just hope common sense prevails.

[DSturg369]

Originally Posted by Dgar

Lets see, these young men have volunteered to put put there lives in harms way to protect our freedoms. while theres could be taken away.. Lets just hope common sense prevails.

Make no mistakes, it's not "could be" it "IS", as are ours.

We have often seen "Civil Rights" marches on state and the national capitols, but I wonder if a "Basic Rights March" would have any bearing...??

[Ndimarco]

First off WOW to ACESFULL, Im in the AF and had not heard about the ban on alcohol on Military bases in Ohio. Thanks absolutely ridiculous. I used to regularly partake in a beer or two after a long day of flightline maintenance on Fridays on the patio at work.

Having said that, I have been on deployments in the middle east where there is no drinking, and as much as I don't like it, I see the point. Its over 100 degrees, blazing sun, and theres always immeninent danger. I can see the point of reducing dehydration, and needing people being on their toes 24/7.

However! To ban smoking, (or even drinking stateside) is an absolute crock! Smoking a cigar at the Gazebo after a 12 - 16 hour shift with some buddies, taking about what plans they have when they get back was a tremendous relief of stress.

Furthermore, I remember when AETC said that Airmen can't smoke on base while in training, just led to a huge gathering right outside the gate of smokers. To the public I'm sure it looked awefull, to drive by a military installation and see 40+ people standing there smoking on the street corner.

I see this as a rule that simply won't be able to be enforced. Everyone, myself included, will just go home and smoke. This will of course lead to a few things.

One: Some people will get the chip on their shoulder and become smoking police, using rank to enforce this rule, and create a ridge between the ranks.

Two: Money will be shorted from base funds. With BX, or NBX not selling tobacco anymore, profits will go down, and more funding will be sought from the federal level to maintain base activities, therefore increasing taxes on everyone in the public.

Three: As if security forces don't have enough on their plate, they will now have to concentrate efforts on writing tickets to people who smoke on base, who have cigarette butts in their cars ect.

I'm sure we could speculate a ton of other reasons why this is a bad idea, all for the one idea that we could possibly make a group of people healthier.

I see more people fail PT tests due to a bigger waist from eating unhealthy, and not getting time to work out, then not being able to complete a 1.5 mile run.

Sorry for the rant, just this is ridiculous nonsense, that goes in the complete opposite direction of common sense!

[nativetexan_1]

Putting a guy in a fox hole (in the broadest sense of the word) and taking away his smokes is pretty heartless, if you ask me.

[Delsana]

Not to sound cruel, but I'd much prefer they focus less on making them feel better with tobacco (there are many other things that can relieve stress after all) and focus more on getting them better equipment... The military already cuts corners on providing proper and secure equipment, and some serious upgrades need to be made, to the average kit and specialized kit.

Of course, this doesn't mean this is what their current plan of action is leading towards, but it's what I think of.

[veteranvmb]

Originally Posted by Delsana

Not to sound cruel, but I'd much prefer they focus less on making them feel better with tobacco (there are many other things that can relieve stress after all) and focus more on getting them better equipment... The military already cuts corners on providing proper and secure equipment, and some serious upgrades need to be made, to the average kit and specialized kit.

.

This is a topic that is near and dear to my heart. I could write on and on about this. The equipment we have sometimes is so bad and outdated, especially with the reserves and national guard.
When we went into Iraq in 2003, we had improper gun oil, which was clogging our firearms. Everything we had was made for european woodland tape warfare. We had to have our families send us proper gun grease.
Not everyone was supplied with desert boots, our humvees were not uparmored, no hand held anti tank rpgs, no desert flack jackets, It was a mess.
As far as smoking, it was always a marines or soldiers right. When he cant light up, he would chew.
We are talking about a military who supplies us with amphetamines to stay away, but now wants to take away the nicotine.
So amphetamines are good, nicotine isnt. We had so many marines who went a little bit sick, because no liquor was allowed by islam law.
Hell, my soldiers couldnt have "magazines", liquor and we werent allowed to fly or present the us flag on our vehicles.
I better stop, I am getting mad.

Much regards Jerry

[Delsana]

"As far as smoking, it was always a marines or soldiers right. When he cant light up, he would chew."

I know a few people that were or are marines or soldiers, and to be truthful they don't know many people smoked on or off duty, or during deployment, but that might just have been them, the point being however that surely there are better ways to relax and other options and alternatives, even if the prospect of smoking is taken away. Understand I'm not going for or against here, I'm just trying to state that while it is unfortunate and somewhat infringing that a ban took place, it also makes sense to a degree, especially with most the country yelling about health problems.

On the topic of amphetamines, I can't agree with that, so in truth while they should be able to do as they like, the actual procurement and distribution of it via the camps, forts, or command centers, is still something I just can't see truly "necessary". And on the topic of being able to do one but not the other, I can't agree with amphetamines at all, drugs like that just aren't something I support.

My main focus however is simply that armor, weaponry, and technology is quite inferior for most deployments and there is really no reason to be "confused" about the number of deaths in Iraq, if proper military procedures, tactics, and equipment aren't being used, or distributed.

It truly is idiotic the things our country sometimes does.

[Stench]

So it's okay to put a soldier in a position where he or she can get shot, blown up, gassed, or stabbed...but you better not give them a smoke!!?

I say give them whatever the H#ll they want!

[Delsana]

The question becomes do they even want it, or are they simply accepting it when funds could be used to procure better things for a soldier.

In addition, is there something they need more?

[veteranvmb]

Originally Posted by Delsana

"As far as smoking, it was always a marines or soldiers right. When he cant light up, he would chew."


On the topic of amphetamines, I can't agree with that, so in truth while they should be able to do as they like, the actual procurement and distribution of it via the camps, forts, or command centers, is still something I just can't see truly "necessary". And on the topic of being able to do one but not the other, I can't agree with amphetamines at all, drugs like that just aren't something I support.

.

For those of you who may not understand, How do you think plane crews or pilots are able to sustain a 14 hour mission? Or a scout sniper tandem, who is in the middle of nowhere and must stay awake.
Or forward observers during a long pronounced battle. A little known secret fact in the military is the distribution of amphetamines, for those whose job mission needs it.
If you dont think so, Gas up your vehicle, get on the hiway at nighttime, go about 20 miles an hour for 15 hours, and see if you can stay awake, let alone fly an aircraft and keep checking your panel. Theres no way.
Thats a little unknown part of military supply. The military doesnt deny it, nor they should.
No matter how fit a pilot or crew are, the human body is not made to stay awake for such long periods of high stress and monotony.

Much regards Jerry