Should there be bars on post?

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 09 Nov 2014 19:17:38 -0500

There are O-clubs, NCO-clubs, all-rank clubs on most bases. Should there be? Is this promoting drinking and potentially setting an atmosphere where drinking is encouraged to relax and unwind after work? Or is it promoting to be responsible and not drink-and-drive off post?

What are your thoughts?

Response by Capt Richard I P. made Nov 9 at 2014 7:27 PM

Capt Richard I P. — Sun, 09 Nov 2014 19:27:31 -0500

All those mando fun events at the O club where everyone drinks x number of beers before driving home out in town? Clear moral hazard.

Response by Sgt Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 9 at 2014 7:53 PM

Sgt Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 09 Nov 2014 19:53:24 -0500

Honestly people are going to drink past there limit whether there is a spot to do it or not, the real progress comes with trusted brothers and sisters, gold leadership to instill morales as well as providing the right tools to get out of any situation, this way at least there's a place to bring troops out of the barracks....being we live in a world of online gaming and pale faces >.<

Response by SGT Richard H. made Nov 9 at 2014 8:04 PM

SGT Richard H. — Sun, 09 Nov 2014 20:04:21 -0500

Think of it like this: A place to drink beyond limits that is within walking distance. There's value in that, since some guys will do it anyway.

Response by CMSgt James Nolan made Nov 9 at 2014 8:35 PM

CMSgt James Nolan — Sun, 09 Nov 2014 20:35:36 -0500

Yes, yes there should be. Nothing wrong with having a convenient place to have a beer.

Response by CSM Michael J. Uhlig made Nov 9 at 2014 8:38 PM

CSM Michael J. Uhlig — Sun, 09 Nov 2014 20:38:27 -0500

There's value in having these on post....When SMA (ret) Jack Tilley was my BDE CSM, we had a small building that we used as a BDE Bar....we all called it "Tilley's Tavern". This was with 194th Separate Armored Brigade (Ft Knox, KY) in the early 90s. He used it for NCO Calls, sometimes to discuss changes and sometimes to bring the scunyun - regardless, was a great place to get together....he always put a $100 bill on the bar

Response by PO1 Mike Wolff made Nov 9 at 2014 10:05 PM

PO1 Mike Wolff — Sun, 09 Nov 2014 22:05:03 -0500

I remember hitting the enlisted club on base at NTC Orlando, FL back in the day. It was a relatively 'safe' place, but because it was a training command, there wasn't much tolerance for over indulgence of alcohol by those of us that happened to be of-age at that point. Contrast that with the enlisted club near NS San Diego. The environment there was a full-blown 'real Navy' environment, coupled by the fact that the border to Mexico and Tijuana were a 20 minute trolley ride / walk away, where there wasn't really any drinking age restrictions enforced (I'm not sure the laws even existed then down there, nor whether they do or don't know). In the interest of keeping young sailors out of trouble out there, the base enlisted club would serve military personnel at age 18, to leave those youngsters that option, and hopefully keep them out of jail in Mexico. With recent events where our USMC brother SGT Tahmooressi was imprisoned down there for 101 days for appears to have been a simple honest mistake, it seems like a very good idea to keep the enlisted club there open to offer an option to the temptation of young persons to venture into dangerous territory to throw back a few.

Response by MSG Brad Sand made Nov 10 at 2014 12:01 AM

MSG Brad Sand — Mon, 10 Nov 2014 00:01:52 -0500

Where would you keep all those lieutenants and captains if you did let them on post? Sure it is a good idea, but where else would put them?

YES, I do know what the questions was really asking, but we could all use some humor.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 10 at 2014 12:52 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 10 Nov 2014 00:52:56 -0500

Absolutely keep them. Too many Soldiers open themselves up for suggestion by going outside the gate and risking DWI or PI (public intoxication). The NCO club has been a longstanding tradition and should remain a part of our heritage for generations to come.

Response by SPC James Mcneil made Nov 10 at 2014 7:22 AM

SPC James Mcneil — Mon, 10 Nov 2014 07:22:29 -0500

I see no problem with having bars on post. It doesn't promote anything IMO. If an underage soldier wants to drink having a bar on post will not encourage that, nor will removing them discourage it.