By It would be really interesting to see how such a mandate would effect military recruiting?:
The future of a smoking ban in the U.S. military remains uncertain a year after it was proposed.
So far, the Department of Defense has made no decision on whether to pursue the Institute of Medicine’s June 2009 recommendation that it gradually eliminate tobacco use in the ranks, according to Jack Smith, acting deputy assistant secretary of defense for clinical and program policy.
The proposal would ban smoking among those who enlist and could lead to a tobacco-free military within about two decades, according to the institute.
“That is something that is controversial, particularly with a legal substance, and is something that is getting additional thought and consideration around the department,” Smith said. [Stars & Stripes]
This is something that has been getting traction at the Pentagon and if implemented they plan on enforcing this policy as I posted before by adding tobacco products to unit urinalysis testing. Can you imagine bringing people up on charges and even dismissing them from the military for smoking a cigarette?
If smoking is bad than why don’t they add alcohol to this ban? I have said this before and will say it again that smoking is no where near the problem both in the military and society in general as alcohol. How many servicemembers have committed smoking related incidents compared to the number of alcohol related incidents like DUI’s? How many sexual assault cases has there been due to alcohol? How many physical assault cases has there been due to alcohol? How many work hours are lost every year to the Army due to leadership dealing with alcohol related incidents and servicemembers having to attend substance abuses classes? The list goes on and on and you see no one wanting to ban alcohol.
I will take a smoker over an alcoholic any day.
9:02 pm on July 23rd, 2010 1
Can't smoke pole so might as well throw cigs in as well.
9:28 pm on July 23rd, 2010 2
The PC Liberals are still hard at work destroying the military. They want to youg testosterone filled guys overseas, then try to say that they can't visit prostitutes. Then, they want them to fight a war, but instead of fighting, they want them to act like street cops and only return fire after being fired upon and the target area is clear of everybody except the person they actually saw shooting.
If it wasn't for coffee and cigarettes, I wonder how WWII would have turned out? Can anybody think of one movie about WWII were there wasn't a bunch of GI's drinking coffee and smoking cigarettes? Talking to my dad and others who were part of that, the non-smoker was extremely rare, almosts everybody (the ones doing the fighting anyway) smoke and drank coffee, and loved it when they found some alcohol. All of those vices didn't seem to affect their combat capability at all, and they WON!
12:08 am on July 24th, 2010 3
Ah, the late nights in the field drinkin coffee and bitchin about it.
Ah, the late nights on guard duty with a "dip" of fresh Copenhagen and bitchin about it.
Ah, the day after recovery from the field, or rather the night, at the bar with a "two coats of face paint" korean honey and a jim & coke, bitchin about it.
Brings a tear to my eye to remember it. HAPPY TEAR
What do you call a man with no vices?
Answer: DEAD
Most important questions to a Male.
What is there to eat/drink?
What game is on?
Will I get "lucky" tonight?
All else is "fluff" to ensure the above meet with a positive answer.
4:31 am on July 24th, 2010 4
Canada is the problem.
They smoke, they destroy the environment, they attack innocent targets…
…and I have pictures to prove it!
http://photoblog.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2010/07/23/4…
6:47 am on July 24th, 2010 5
Bill: "They want to youg testosterone filled guys overseas, then try to say that they can’t visit prostitutes."
If you're that desperate to get laid, just stay home. Problem solved.
Retired GI: "Most important questions to a Male."
Yes, if their IQ is below 80.
7:05 am on July 24th, 2010 6
#5 An intellectual is someone who has found something more important than sex.
If it wasn't for those that you look down on, where would you be?
Addition: I'm sure some of those over educated officers I often met down range would disagree with your conclusion. But than again, perhaps they had not reached your level of intellectualism.
7:09 am on July 24th, 2010 7
If they're willing to sacrifice for the country, then should be allowed to smoke.
7:10 am on July 24th, 2010 8
I think this is a good idea. Most queers don't smoke, except a few dikes, so a good way to welcome our "pink warriors" would be to eliminate smoking.
Banning visits to off post/base prostitutes is another command initiative that will help our new found friends and good buddies, the homos, feel more like home on a military base.
8:48 am on July 24th, 2010 9
WTF!!
The Army runs on caffiene and nicotine. Why do you think so many Infantry guys dip? Because its the only way to stay awake during continuous ops.
10:17 am on July 24th, 2010 10
"An intellectual is someone who has found something more important than sex."
There is no shortage of things that are far, far more important than sex.
"If it wasn’t for those that you look down on, where would you be?"
This is a non sequitur.
11:39 am on July 24th, 2010 11
#10 Thanks for the lession in Latin. Never needed it before.
12:42 pm on July 24th, 2010 12
"The PC Liberals are still hard at work destroying the military."
Have you ever been in the field with young recruits who start dragging their ass as soon as they start craving just so they'll be permitted to take a cigarette break while the non-smokers do all the work?
12:43 pm on July 24th, 2010 13
Holy run-on sentence, Batman!
3:48 pm on July 24th, 2010 14
The article refers to an initiative towards disqualifying smokers from enlistment, which they say will eliminate all smoking in the military within 20 years. If you want to understand the post more completely, you should read more than the headline and GI Korea's commentary. Furthermore, Retired GI, is it possible for you to post something that doesn't reenforce every negative stereotype of US service members?
4:57 pm on July 24th, 2010 15
Tobacco causes cancer, but GI Korea is right to point out that alcohol causes more problems. Tokyojesusfist 10 and Retired GI 11, an intellectual is someone who knows that "non sequitur" means "doesn't follow".
5:26 pm on July 24th, 2010 16
Soldiers need drugs more than nicotine. During the Vietnam war, most American soldiers were addicted to drugs to mitigate the trauma and pain of war. If the US forces allow drugs, it will boost the morale of the troops and also help the local economy in Afghanistan where people depend very much on drug trade for living. The Afghan war war will be over very soon.
8:40 pm on July 24th, 2010 17
@ 14 lg dacom. Where would be the fun in that? Besides, negative sterotype is the way you see it, not they way I see it. A Soldier is not a Saint. What do you want young Soldiers to do in their free time? Go on hay rides and drink lemonaid?
In a perfect world sure. But in a perfect world you wouldn't NEED Soldiers.
@15 Glands. Thanks for backing up what the WIKI said after it stated the word comes from the/or was Latin.
Yes, I had to look it up.
That's why I come here. To learn "fancy" words!
I'm interested tokyojesusfist, what is more important to you than sex? You said there are many things more important than sex. Would you give up sex forever, for say—world peace? That would be very good of you! We would all like that. Too bad it isn't possible. A good book maybe?
9:29 pm on July 24th, 2010 18
"Tobacco causes cancer, but GI Korea is right to point out that alcohol causes more problems."
Which causes most deaths? (It's a rhetorical question)
9:59 pm on July 24th, 2010 19
Alcohol kills mostly drinkers. Tabacco kills not only smokers but also many other passive smokers. Which is more harmful to others?
10:15 pm on July 24th, 2010 20
Teadrinker said "Have you ever been in the field with young recruits who start dragging their ass as soon as they start craving just so they’ll be permitted to take a cigarette break while the non-smokers do all the work?"
Yes I have. I'm a smoker, and back in the late 70's when I was on Active Duty and for the 11 years after that when I was in the Reserves (including two trips to the Jungle School at Ft. Sherman, Panama), I LED many a young recruit (both smokers and non-smokers) through the field on manuevers. Again, the emphasis is on LED.
I usually had fewer problems with the smokers (always an exception to every generalization), especially in regards to perimeter guards, those long, boring late night guard watches after a hard days work, humping up and down hills.
2:20 am on July 25th, 2010 21
Bill, well said and thank you for serving. By the way, How did the Dippers do?:)
3:05 am on July 25th, 2010 22
If the draft is ever reinstated, this would lead millions to take up smoking to be disqualified.
5:42 am on July 25th, 2010 23
Retired GI: "I’m interested tokyojesusfist, what is more important to you than sex?"
Everything.
8:34 am on July 25th, 2010 24
@23 Sincerity. I like that.
9:44 am on July 25th, 2010 25
"Furthermore, Retired GI, is it possible for you to post something that doesn’t reenforce every negative stereotype of US service members?"
Hmmm… in defense of Retired GI, the "negative stereotype" is exactly what makes the United States military successful.
Practical, goal-oriented, no-bullshyt men who work, train, fight, drink and funk in a work hard/play hard environment instead of worrying about the feelings and sensitivities of special interest groups, including their enemies, is a cornerstone to America's military success.
Retired GI is a little rough around the edges and he might offend some whiners… but, he comes across with a sincerity that indicates he can be counted on to get an important job done while many others are worrying about non-mission-essential issues.
A bottle of Jack and a 90 pound hooker is a small investment with a big return when asking GIs to get shyt jobs done.
11:28 am on July 25th, 2010 26
The no-smoking thing will never fly. The practical impact on manpower would be too great. Its a volunteer force, you can't force em to join or to stay. Stop-loss was the biggest load of sh!t ever introduced and I'm glad its being phased out, resulted in a huge loss of manpower in the long run from all the people bailing.
The Military is ultimately run by practical requirements, even the PC-ism is a practicality. Its more practical to just go PC the to have to constantly deal with the incessant media BS attacking you at every corner.
12:28 pm on July 25th, 2010 27
"Retired GI is a little rough around the edges and he might offend some whiners…"
He is a vacuous retard.
Your post is also one massive false dilemma, as if the only two choices are a walking mass of cliches like GI or an ineffectual, politically correct pansy who can't get anything done.
I don't understand why people even join the military if they're so obsessed with being drunk and having sex. They should stay home and let more professional-minded people handle the soldiering.
1:17 pm on July 25th, 2010 28
"Retired GI is a little rough around the edges and he might offend some whiners…"
Sometimes, I need look no farther than myself to find the perfect quote for the situation.
1:27 pm on July 25th, 2010 29
27 tokyojesusfist
chickenhead was being kind when he said I was "a little rough around the edges and he might offend some whiners—"
I am now and always have been very rough around the edges. I also enjoy offending whiners, whenever and wherever I find them. I was trained well by those who came before me. I passed it on as much as I could.
An intellectual whiner such as yourself, that has prospered on the protection provided by American Military men, calling me a vacuous retard is a great compliment indeed. Brings a smile to my face!
It is obvious that you really don't understand why people JOIN the military PERIOD.
The drinks and women are not an obsession. But they both, do aid greatly in relaxation. You must get up off your third point of contact to fully understand the need to unwind. Sometimes having a 90lb sweet thing with two coats of face paint sit with you and tell you lies while you sip on some jim & coke is just what the doctor ordered. Just remember not to marry her!!
The people that I could count on the most when the chit hit the fan, or field, or NTC, or Bosnia, or Iraq were usually the same men that spent too much time in the bars.
Those Professional-minded people were usually worthless except for going to Promotin Boards and looking real pretty in their class A uniform. Being "professional-minded", they had little desire to do those necessary "jobs" that carried no professional marks for their NCOERs. Motor Pool comes to mind FIRST. I knew professional-minded individuals that could not be found during motor stables. Unless they were brown noseing for some higher-up. They were NEVER the first men in during alerts. But they always had a coffee cup. Like they needed the caffeine. Most of those professional-mind individuals would be more accurately called blue falcons.
Vacuous retard indeed
One of my Platoon Sergeants used to go in the Latrine and check the writting on the stalls. If you were in a Leadership Position and nothing insulting about you was on the wall, you were not doing your JOB. If he knew what you said, he would give me a smile and slap on the back. So Thanks!
By the by, it often DOES come down to those two choices. You can either get it done or you can't. No middle ground. Maybe now, with the PC chit. Glad I served when men could drink and whore around—and korean women were cheap to rent. Now THEY were Professionals with a capital "P".
Think I'll put in a pinch of COP, mix a drink and watch some Football.
Tipshida CH.
9:31 pm on July 25th, 2010 30
"An intellectual whiner such as yourself, that has prospered on the protection provided by American Military men, calling me a vacuous retard is a great compliment indeed. Brings a smile to my face!"
I'm not American, and nowhere has it been said that I do not serve in the military or have not done so before. And it isn't even relevant.
"It is obvious that you really don’t understand why people JOIN the military PERIOD."
People do not join the military so they can drink and get laid. Unless they are retarded.
"Those Professional-minded people were usually worthless except for going to Promotin Boards and looking real pretty in their class A uniform."
You don't understand what professional-minded means.
"By the by, it often DOES come down to those two choices."
No, it doesn't. That's why it's called a false dilemma.
12:52 am on July 26th, 2010 31
#30 tokyojesusfist, you're not american—so what. We're all over the world, being the world's police. Because no other country can do it but America. Not that I agree with the mission. I'm all in favor of pulling our troops/cash back to the States.
You didn't serve in any military. You don't have to say you didn't. It isn't relevant?! You have no understand of the subject of which you speak. That is most relevant. That is like saying being an officer is not relevant in military service.
"people don't join the military so they can drink and get laid." How would YOU know? You don't find sex interesting and you never served a military.
But that was addressed above, if you bothered to read it. You either didn't read it or you didn't understand. I'm thinking you didn't understand.
You have zero experience in military service but your arrogance allows you to appear a fool by lecturing those who spent their best years in the service. Stick with the name calling, you come off more intelligent.
1:03 am on July 26th, 2010 32
Your a Woman aren't you tokyojesusfist. I should have understood sooner. I'm getting slow in my advancing years. Let me guess, your going to say your sex isn't relevant.
Only a woman would argue about something she knows nothing about.
Add comment # 23.
7:43 am on July 26th, 2010 33
"You’re not american—so what. We’re all over the world, being the world’s police. Because no other country can do it but America. Not that I agree with the mission. I’m all in favor of pulling our troops/cash back to the States."
If you're trying to prove that you aren't a retard, you aren't doing a very good job.
"You didn’t serve in any military."
Prove it. Oh, wait, you can't.
"How would YOU know?"
I see you conviniently left out the last sentence: "Unless they are retarded."
"You have zero experience in military service."
Hahahaha.
"Your a Woman aren’t you tokyojesusfist."
When all else fails, start randomly accusing the opposition of being female, as if it was supposed to prove something.
"Let me guess, your going to say your sex isn’t relevant."
It isn't relevant unless you can demonstrate that it is.
"Only a woman would argue about something she knows nothing about."
You truly are the king of retards.
11:47 am on July 26th, 2010 34
I think I've had enough of this thread.
12:03 pm on July 26th, 2010 35
Yep, tokyojesusfist is a woman.
And a fine example of a female as well. 
Glans—I agree.
12:50 pm on July 26th, 2010 36
Retired GI,
I kinda like your new nickname… it has royal connotations.
"King of Retards"
I think I would shorten it to an acronym to make it sound more tough and barbaric, though.
"I am KOR!"
Maybe you can put something after it to truly take it to the next level.
"They call me KOR the Barbarian!"
"Bow before KOR, destroyer of worlds!"
"Die upon the mighty blade of KOR the Invincible!"
4:28 pm on July 26th, 2010 37
"Yep, tokyojesusfist is a woman."
Even if this were true (you have not proven that it is), so what?
11:21 pm on July 26th, 2010 38
Chickenhead,
I feel a book in the works. Perhaps even a MOVIE!!
(First there was Alien. Then came Predator. Now stand aside and make room for KOR!
KOR the vicious. KOR the destroyer. Enemy of the P.C.)
As a young lad KOR was left to find his way alone. Often surviving on only whiskey and nicotine. Taking comfort in the soft warmth of the campfire and women of the night. In time, he learned. Not from reading but from doing.
Uncivilized in manner but with an intelligence and blade, both sharpened in the dark worlds where the P.C. fear to go.
Town folk run in fear at his coming and shriek in hate at his leaving.
What is best in life KOR? "To see your enemies driven before you and hear the lamentations of their women." (yes that was borrowed from an outstanding movie)
Some welcomed his coming. With whiskey and nicotine and women of the night. Stories were told and many things were spoken of. Stories of long journeys to distant lands where strange people did live.
(but this story has been done to death) But it might work as a comedy
Now I just need a cast&crew, director and a couple million USD. I have a couple locations in mind.
Take some elements from the movies (Army of Darkness, The blood of heroes, A Boy and his Dog, and the tv show Baretta)
We might have something here Chickenhead.
12:06 am on July 27th, 2010 39
"Uncivilized in manner but with an intelligence and blade, both sharpened in the dark worlds where the P.C. fear to go."
Lima oscar lima. There is nothing politically incorrect about drinking, smoking and promiscuity. It is, in fact, so PC that not engaging in those activities is now considered politically incorrect. You're delusional.