Should beer be provided on EVERY holiday overseas? It's provided for the Super Bowl

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 27 Jul 2014 23:03:36 -0400

I believe beer should be provided for every holiday overseas. It's a morale booster to be able to drink during the Super Bowl, so why not make it a tool for CDR's on holidays to give the yay or nay??

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 27 at 2014 11:22 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 27 Jul 2014 23:22:25 -0400

For every federal holiday? There are a lot of holidays. Also, General Order #1 seems to ward off evil spirits. Even if I were the approving authority, I am not sure I would allow it.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 28 at 2014 12:12 AM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 28 Jul 2014 00:12:12 -0400

I was not allowed a beer for the Super Bowl when I was deployed. I think overall a bad idea as with every safeguard there is always someone who will ruin it for the rest. Also, do you really want people drinking if at any time they can get hit and have to respond? Overseas for deployment there is no off-duty though I know many who treated it as if they did.

Response by PO2 Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 28 at 2014 5:36 AM

PO2 Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 28 Jul 2014 05:36:52 -0400

I don't think it's a good idea for EVERY holiday. Especially for my brothers and sisters on ships. I think it'll lead to problems. It may be a morale booster, but alcohol really isn't necessary.

Response by LTC Paul Labrador made Jul 28 at 2014 11:57 PM

LTC Paul Labrador — Mon, 28 Jul 2014 23:57:04 -0400

Honestly, I think GO#1 sometimes does more harm than good. Yeah it keeps soldiers "dry" downrange (but it's not like you can't find it if you REALLY want it), but it also encourages binge drinking when you get home. Sometimes I wish we could adopt a more mature approach to it like our European allies.

Response by LTC Paul Labrador made Jul 28 at 2014 11:58 PM

LTC Paul Labrador — Mon, 28 Jul 2014 23:58:11 -0400

But isn't every day a holiday? Every meal a banquet? Every formation a parade.....? ;o)

Response by MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca made Jul 30 at 2014 6:36 AM

MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca — Wed, 30 Jul 2014 06:36:45 -0400

It's like the civilian social host law, at what point does the military become responsible vs. the individual SM when something bad happens due to over-indulgence?

Response by Cpl Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 30 at 2014 12:44 PM

Cpl Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 30 Jul 2014 12:44:04 -0400

My dad would tell me about MWR parties where units were supplied a monthly stipend by MWR to buy beer and BBQ and have a monthly unit party. He was in a quite some time ago and I know my stint in the Marines showed no such monthly parties. However, he did state that these monthly beer parties went along way towards unit cohesion and espirit de corps. This would have been in the 50's, 60's & 70's BTW. For that time it seems a legitimate unit tool, however, back then rules were a little different.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 30 at 2014 9:35 PM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 30 Jul 2014 21:35:30 -0400

I say yay! Everyone needs a beer once in while. But I stress the "A" beer part. Can't be getting buzzed or drunk