Of course, banning alcohol in the military, especially combat zones, makes sense. Based on this report, however, one must wonder if the deciding factor is more the need for constant sobriety, or whether it's the need to "keep in mind all host nation laws and customs regarding alcohol consumption." After all, "Drinking alcohol isn't illegal in Iraq but is banned under Islam." Moreover, if Muslim aversion to alcohol is being accommodated in the West, surely Westerners must be compelled to observe such laws in the Islamic world: It's called "tolerance" -- one-way tolerance, that is, a la dhimmitude.
"US troops in Iraq get to drink beer for Super Bowl," from the Associated Press, January 9:
BAGHDAD (AP) — American troops in Iraq will be allowed to drink beer without fear of court-martial for this year's Super Bowl — an exception to a strict military ban on drinking alcohol in combat zones.[...]A copy of the waiver said the consumption of alcoholic beverages will be limited to Feb. 1-2 and service members can only have two, 12-ounce beers each.
Odierno also appeared to acknowledge the sensitivity of drinking alcohol in an Islamic country, particularly considering the game falls during a holy period for Iraq's majority Shiite Muslims.
The waiver orders commanders to "keep in mind all host nation laws and customs regarding alcohol consumption" and "to exercise discretion and good judgment in enforcing these guidelines and restrictions."
U.S. troops have been banned from drinking, possessing or selling alcoholic beverages under a general order that also bans them from possessing pornography and other activities. They can face a reduction in pay or rank or even a court-martial if they violate the rule.
The Washington Post reported that several service members said the only other time the ban was lifted was in 2005, for troops operating under the Baghdad command.
Drinking alcohol isn't illegal in Iraq but is banned under Islam, and extremists have frequently targeted liquor stores...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_8Rvqm5XR7E&feature=related
According to Wikipedia, the legal drinking age in Iraq is 18, so here's hoping everyone 18 or older is allowed to enjoy those beers, and that the neo-prohibitionist frenzy that overtook the U.S. under Transportation Secretary Dole isn't being exported.
What about wine? There is a group of Islamic poets known as the "wine poets'. Sauce for the goose, sauce for the gander?
When I was in the service and on a base here in the United States awaiting deployment, they did limit us to two beers. I didn't drink so I drew my two and gave them away. This was about 18 years ago though.
I wonder who gets to be the Official Beer Provider to the U.S. military. I trust there's not a creepy, standard-issue government-brewed beer -- a BRD (Beer, Ready to Drink).
In the US during training (or at the end of training) two beers at the wrap-up dinner is fairly common - I guess depending on your unit. I don't drink beer so I always give them away. When I was deployed to Iraq in 05-06 all the messhalls had crates of non-alcoholic beer - a lot of guys would put that away just for the taste, but again, no thanks.
It really depends where you're stationed. There's always a bit of hostility between Army/Marines stationed on the ground in Iraq/Afghanistan/Kuwait/etc and the Air Force guys - flying missions out of Qatar - where you can drink 2 a day - into Iraq and back the same day. Not sure if that's still the case now or not.
It's always a thing that goes on. In Korea, for long training exercises - even if you stay on base - the commanders can put out orders that drinking is forbidden for the duration of the exercise - whether you're in your housing or not. It's really subject to location, situation, commander's discretion (emphasis on the last one).
BRD (Beer, Ready to Drink).
Posted by: MarisolJW at January 9, 2009 3:45 PM
I can picture that. Something like those cans in the movie Repo Man labeled "Food." Good one!
ROTFLMAO
Actually, there is. It's done by mixing MGD, Heiniken, Michellob, Bud, Coors and Corona in rations of 1:2:3:4:5:6, and then having them specially bootled/canned for consumption. That's what our troops will be getting.
Make that ratios, not rations
If I know the Army, it'll be 3.2 -- and the brass will be sipping their single-malts behind closed doors.
Bill Mauldin, we have need of you at this hour.
More likely, it is non-alcoholic, which all the big Euro breweries flood in the Middle East.
I will be sure to tip a few extra during the super bowl in honor of those serving in harm's way to keep us free. By the way, since when do muslims in The U.S. keeep our laws and customs in mind and abide by them, or learn to live in this country and assimilate?? They don't, they don't want to and we are already at war on our own home turf. Hope the troops will be able to enjoy some nice pork rinds and barbequed ribs while sipping their brews during then game.
Papa Whisky, I am sipping mine now and I am not brass, but if I was I would be ordering "open fire on all targets", Cheers